Condenser microphones are an excellent starting option for anyone looking for What is a condenser microphone ?to use in their home recording studio. There are several different condenser microphones, each offering sensitivity, polar pattern, and directionality. Condenser microphones work by transforming sound waves into electrical signals. Just as there are many types of guitars on the market with variations in shapes and sizes, singers and musicians have different voices. Therefore, each voice will sound slightly different when picked up by a condenser microphone.
What to expect from a condenser microphone?
Need phantom power: To power those microphones, you'll want to invest in an interface, which then connects to the soundboard.
High sensibility: Condenser microphones are active and can capture very subtle sounds without an external power source.
Quick transient response: High end-capsules are the perfect solution for loud vocals and drums. Not only do they capture nuanced information with high accuracy, but their low cut filter ensures that you're not wasting any memory on useless information for post-production processes.
Introduction
Microphones are "translators". They translate the electrical force given off by sound waves into signals that allow an audio console or interface to work like a translator translates languages.
Microphones can be divided by their capsule construction style. These shapes are:
- Dynamic
- Condenser
- Ribbon
A condenser microphone is the only type of microphone that has a diaphragm. As previously mentioned, a condenser microphone should be plugged into phantom power to function correctly.
Inside a condenser microphone
Condenser microphones are sometimes referred to as capacitor microphones due to their construction. But can you guess why? I bet you're getting very close! The term "condenser" refers to a specific type of electrical component found inside condenser microphones (it may also be called an electret or electrostatic microphone depending on the manufacturer). A condenser microphone will have two thin metal plates placed extremely close together and connected via wires to an electronic circuit that turns mechanical vibrations into electrical signals. One of these plates is attached to a diaphragm (also called a movable plate) while the other plate (known as the backplate) remains stationary during the microphone's operation. In most cases, this divided plate technology is extremely sensitive and powerful – so it is no wonder that condenser microphones can capture such a wide dynamic range!
Characteristics of a condenser microphone
High sensibility
The sensitivity of a microphone is directly related to the output voltage from its transducer (for example, its capsule). A condenser microphone typically outputs very high voltages with preamps, therefore, needing to have the gain lowered. Conversely, dynamic microphones tend to output lower voltage, requiring higher gain preamps.
High transient response
A transient is more of a popsicle than a meal, just a quick little hit of flavour. A snare drum note or bass guitar pick, or a finger snap are all examples of sounds that can be heard in a single moment but are very different from each other in terms of the volume each reaches. Transient response is how fast or slow an item or action moves, and condenser microphones have the fastest transient responses meaning they pick up on the most minutiae details. You'll notice the difference when you're recording your voice or instruments with this kind of hardware – so remember to use good pop filters!
Good response to high frequencies
High frequencies have less intensity than low frequencies. As we learned on the previous page, condenser microphones can superbly capture those higher tones.
Need electric power
It would help if you had electricity to power your electronic circuitry. Remember to connect the microphone before turning the phantom power on! Make sure you never plug any microphone with the phantom power on, even if it isn't a condenser microphone! You can charge it from both a mixing desk and an audio interface. When you have time, check out our piece about audio interfaces.
The condenser microphone is more fragile.
The construction is especially delicate, so one needs to be extra careful when handling it. It can easily become damaged if used improperly because of its delicate nature. However, this type of microphone provides the best sound quality with very little background noise and wide frequency response, even at that expensive price point! You also have to make sure not to allow too much humidity. There have been cases where fungi or mould grew between the backplate and the diaphragm due to excess humidity.
For more information on the best wireless microphone, reach out to AEH soon!
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