Knowing the basics to microphones will help you select the right one for your performance or recording. A microphone is basically a transducer. By sensing sound energy, these devices translate this into electrical energy. Sound energy picked up by the microphone can be amplified by hooking it up to a loudspeaker and then having the sound come out clear and unchanged. There are several different types of microphones we will focus on: Dynamic, Condenser, and Crystal.

Dynamic Microphones

These types of microphones take the most “abuse” and are very similar to a conventional loudspeaker. These microphones are extremely durable and will give you long lasting quality and sound. The user will not need batteries or have to worry about hooking it up to an external power supply. These microphones have outstanding signal-to-noise ratio and require very little in the way of maintenance as you use it over the years. A ribbon microphone is a type of dynamic microphone that is sometimes used in recording studios. This microphone is not used as often because it is very fragile. It has to be protected from loud sound pressure or wind, and for this reason these microphones are not used all too often within the studio.   

Condenser Microphones

These microphones are a bit different from dynamic microphones. Condenser microphones do require some external power source. The microphone produces a natural; clear sound that is easy to pick up when listened to. Compared to dynamic microphones, condenser versions weigh less, and are usually smaller in size. Condenser style microphones are perfect miniature microphones, producing a high-frequency response, while ensuring low-frequency pickup. This makes for excellent sound and is perfect for studio use.

Crystal Microphones

These are worth mentioning here just to outline microphone basics. Crystal microphones are typically used in telephones and for other communication purposes, but are not typically used for sound reproduction, as seen within a studio. These are good for speech, and are relatively low in price.  

Microphone Pickup Patterns

There are several different pickup patterns that should be kept in mind when using microphones.

·         Omnidirectional-omnidirectional microphones pick up sound equally from every direction. It does not matter what direction you are speaking into the microphone, your voice will come out at the same volume. One disadvantage to using this type of microphone is that it tends to pick up amplified sound and other types of background noise, creating feedback problems.

·         Directional-These types of microphones have excellent responses to sound coming from a front direction. Sounds from other directions are filtered out. There are several different types of directional microphones including Cardioid, Super-Cardioid, and Hyper-Cardioid. Cardioid mics block sound from the rear. Super-Cardiod has greater pickup compared to Cardioid versions and tends to block out incoming sounds from the side. Hyper-Cardioid are unique in that these mics only pickup sound patterns in the direction the microphone is pointing toward, blocking side and back sounds.

Hothouse Rehearsal Studios is the place to go if you are looking for quality microphone equipment and are wanting to set up a rehearsal session for your band. We have different rehearsal studios that have everything you need when it comes to microphone equipment. Our auditorium room has 3 pro vocal microphones, and a great sound reinforcement system at your disposal. Studio A is equipped with 3 Shure Beta 58A microphones, and Studio B and C have 2 microphones. All studios are equipped with boom stands and straight stands, and each also has other music equipment, such as drum kits, as well as, bass and guitar rings. Rates for studio rental vary from $13-$18 per hour, and we are open seven days a week from 12pm to 1am. Come check out our website at www.hothousestudios.com or call us at (562) 945-1300 for more information.  

Updated: November 4, 2007

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