If you're looking to start getting those beautiful ideas and performances recorded so you can start to share and promote your art with the world, you might be a little overwhelmed. There is a whole lot that goes into making and producing quality music on your own. Not only does the art of mixing and editing with music making software (Whats called a Digital Audio Workstation or DAW - more on that in another post) have a steep learning curve, but deciding what gear is right for you and your budget can be a challenge.
Fortunately, we here at Dacapo are driven by our mission to enable artists of all levels and genres to have the knowledge and means necessary to achieve their creative passion. So what better place to start than discussing some common types of microphones, and where they are best utilized in the art of recording.
If you've gone to see a band, stand-up comedy show, or even watched a press conference on TV, chances are you've seen a dynamic Microphone.
They're called dynamic because they are able to withstand a large range of volume without distorting and/or "clipping" the sound source. This is why the lead singer of a Pop-Rock band would be using a dynamic microphone, because there's a good chance they will be blurting out "The Middle" by Jimmy Eat World at high volumes.
dynamic microphones are also used to capture other louder sound sources, like guitar/bass amplifiers and snare drums. They are great for live sound, but they are also commonly used in recording.
Another huge advantage to dynamic mics is that they are extremely durable. They can be dropped, scratched, or spilled on and there's a good chance they will still work well. They also withstand the elements extremely well.
Condenser Microphones are much more sensitive than Dynamic microphones, therefore can have a more clean and crisp sound due to picking up all of the frequency range. This is why its the preferred use for recording vocals and acoustic instruments (it is often used live, but typically only for quieter performances that don't include instruments with high db levels).
Since condensers have a different and more complex construction than dynamics, they are much less durable and are much more susceptible to environmental conditions. That being said, they require much more care and maintenance.
Something also to keep in mind is that condensers all require a power source. So if you have a preamp or are in the market for one, make sure it has "Phantom Power" capabilities.
Due to the added components and complex construction, condenser mics are usually much more expensive than their dynamic counterparts.