Technology today, has given professional and aspiring songwriters the great opportunity to record music without so much as leaving their garage. Any musicians who also record their own songs will tell you that with instruments it's possible to use DI (direct input, good recording microphones are extremely important to the quality of the recording.
There are many microphones on the market, as any music shop will attest, but no two mics are the same. The right one to to choose depends on the type. If you're looking to buy mics for recording at home, here are some tips.
Firstly, we'll look at 2 kinds of microphones. Dynamic and condenser. A condenser microphone will pick up more sound and is more sensitive than its dynamic counterpart. The amount of sensitivity is is a direct result of the diameter of the mic's "diaphragm". The bigger the diaphragm the more sound these microphones can deliver. A dynamic mic is less sensitive but is useful in cases where the home recording studio is not enclosed and thus more likely to have background noise.
Given the choice between an inexpensive Condenser or Dynamic - it really does depends on how inexpensive. In buying something cheaper, the dynamic should be the choice. If you're not worried about your budget for at home recording a condenser microphone is normally your best option with a couple of exceptions. With a condenser and a slightly less expensive dynamic microphone, you'll be ready for just about anything.
Simple though it may be, the primary factor in buying a microphone is the purpose. If your intent is to use it for live or for instrumentals, a combination of both types of mics can be a good thing. If the microphone is going to be used for vocals only, it is definitely best to go with a condenser.
Condensers generally record better than dynamics for vocals. Where the dynamic is a much better choice when recording loud material. A condenser will sound horrible when the source of sound is too loud for it. If you're recording more than one vocalist, it's good to have both kinds of mics available, just in case the need arises.
One other concern before buying the mic is the type of digital to analog converter. (But thats another subject which would be an article in itself) Be certain that the inputs are compatible or that you can figure out a way a to connect the mic into your mixer or recording device. Fortunately, most inputs today can be fixed up with connectors that will accept one plug type and allow an individual to plug it into another. This is kind of a hairy way of doing things, because the less than stable connection can affect the success of the recording. However, it can be used that way and whether there is a trade-off will depend firstly on its mode of use.
When checking out a mic, imagine where it will pick up. There are some mics that pick up fine unidirectionally while others operate primarily from one source. Issues can arise when recording some vocals or instruments. For such instances, it may be useful to take the studio layout into account when getting a microphone.
There are of course, more specialized microphones like the ribbon. But if your budget is limited, the more versatile the better. As you upgrade your studio and buy new equipment it may become important to get those very sensitive and hence, more expensive pieces.
There are many microphones on the market, as any music shop will attest, but no two mics are the same. The right one to to choose depends on the type. If you're looking to buy mics for recording at home, here are some tips.
Firstly, we'll look at 2 kinds of microphones. Dynamic and condenser. A condenser microphone will pick up more sound and is more sensitive than its dynamic counterpart. The amount of sensitivity is is a direct result of the diameter of the mic's "diaphragm". The bigger the diaphragm the more sound these microphones can deliver. A dynamic mic is less sensitive but is useful in cases where the home recording studio is not enclosed and thus more likely to have background noise.
Given the choice between an inexpensive Condenser or Dynamic - it really does depends on how inexpensive. In buying something cheaper, the dynamic should be the choice. If you're not worried about your budget for at home recording a condenser microphone is normally your best option with a couple of exceptions. With a condenser and a slightly less expensive dynamic microphone, you'll be ready for just about anything.
Simple though it may be, the primary factor in buying a microphone is the purpose. If your intent is to use it for live or for instrumentals, a combination of both types of mics can be a good thing. If the microphone is going to be used for vocals only, it is definitely best to go with a condenser.
Condensers generally record better than dynamics for vocals. Where the dynamic is a much better choice when recording loud material. A condenser will sound horrible when the source of sound is too loud for it. If you're recording more than one vocalist, it's good to have both kinds of mics available, just in case the need arises.
One other concern before buying the mic is the type of digital to analog converter. (But thats another subject which would be an article in itself) Be certain that the inputs are compatible or that you can figure out a way a to connect the mic into your mixer or recording device. Fortunately, most inputs today can be fixed up with connectors that will accept one plug type and allow an individual to plug it into another. This is kind of a hairy way of doing things, because the less than stable connection can affect the success of the recording. However, it can be used that way and whether there is a trade-off will depend firstly on its mode of use.
When checking out a mic, imagine where it will pick up. There are some mics that pick up fine unidirectionally while others operate primarily from one source. Issues can arise when recording some vocals or instruments. For such instances, it may be useful to take the studio layout into account when getting a microphone.
There are of course, more specialized microphones like the ribbon. But if your budget is limited, the more versatile the better. As you upgrade your studio and buy new equipment it may become important to get those very sensitive and hence, more expensive pieces.
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