How to choose a condenser Microphone

To the uninitiated, the world of microphones can be a confusing one. Condenser and dynamic microphones are the two main terms that you’ll hear when the topic of mics comes up, but what do they mean and what’s the difference? In this guide we’re going to run through the fundamentals of the first group, condenser mics, which are commonly used for studio recordings due to the additional sensitivity they bring, though they can be used live too of course!

To make everything as easy as possible for you, we’ve broken this guide down into 3 main sections: A quick guide on the key details, a section on the brands to look out for and a final in-depth section that goes into much more detail.

What difference does the Diaphragm/Capsule make?

To put it simply, a microphone capsule (which contains the diaphragm) is the part responsible for capturing the sound. This is the most important part of the microphone and generally speaking: the better the capsule, the better the microphone. The materials that are used to build this, including precious metals used for their conductivity, are of course a factor in the price of a microphone and worth considering. Because of their size, large diaphragm condenser mics can capture sound in greater detail, which results in a far more natural and realistic sound. Some microphones are tuned by hand and are tested extremely thoroughly, this ensures that the quality of the mic is very high, and the build quality is consistent across all products. This greater attention to detail helps to show off the finer points of what you’re recording, be it the nuances of vocals or the tone of a guitar.

How does a microphone’s build process affect the cost?

Some brands, especially those with a long history, manufacture their mics in much the same way as they always have, with some even still doing it partly by hand. This attention to detail means that the quality is often superb, though that extra time taken to build is represented in the price.

Other brands favour production on a more industrial scale which has its own benefits, such as consistency thanks to factory testing, much greater availability and generally a more affordable price. The time spent tuning and testing the frequency response of a microphone - ensuring it responds as intended - can also be reflected in the cost of the product. Some brands test their products by hand to make sure that their mics perform consistently and reliably, others may use electronic testing methods. Build and test conditions are worth bearing in mind for some people when deciding on a purchase, but don’t let it dictate your choice! You can find great products of all varieties from a wide range of brands who all do things slightly differently.

What other things should I watch out for?

A microphone’s polar pattern dictates where the microphone will pick up the sound from. Typically, all condenser microphones use a cardioid pattern, which is suitable for most situations when recording. Some microphones will offer a different pattern, or even various patterns, which gives you more options and greater flexibility when recording but does come at an increased cost.

You can often find pads built in, which lowers the volume of the source which can be useful for dampening a loud singer or an overly loud guitar amp, for example. Some mics also include a roll off, this removes unwanted low-end frequencies before recording, helping to remove room noise and making it easier to mix!

Essential microphone accessories often include mic cradles which stop sounds such as stomps from the floor being picked up, resulting in less unwanted low frequency rumble in your music which means a cleaner recording. A pop filter is also crucial in cutting back plosive pops from your recordings. Often microphones will include at least one of these when you buy them, but it’s certainly worth looking out for as spending the extra on these can do a lot for the quality of your recording!

This is just a quick overview of condenser mics and the key points you should bear in mind, but if you want more then check out the complete guide below for more details on everything discussed in this section and more!