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CCI Solutions > Expert Advice > Microphones > Microphone Basics

Expert Advice

	Microphones

	Choir Miking

	How to Handheld Mics

	Microphone Basics II

•	Microphone Basics

	AT 2110 Review

	How Microphones Work

	Stereo Mic Techniques


	Video

	ANSI vs. NITS

	Projector Brightness

	Projector Interface Options

	Adding Visuals

	What is a Scaler


	Lighting

	Patterns in Light

	LED Lighting Overview

	Which Light


	Audio Recording

	Do-it-Yourself Recording

	Podcasting

	Publishing a Podcast


	Sound Systems

	Audio Snake Basics

	Ceiling Speaker Placement

	Channel Inserts

	Are your drums too loud?

	Feedback Control

	Glossary

	Portable Sound Tips

	Rechargeable Batteries

	Speaker Placement

	Guitar Amps - Worship

	Eliminate Hum

	Avoid Wireless Problems


	Duplication & Media

	Cassettes Are King

	Cassette-i-quette

	CD-R Q&A

	DVD On Demand

	DVD-R Q & A

	Duplicator Cleaning

	Choose a Duplicator

	Erase a Cassette

	Tape Ministry

	DVD-R compatibility Issues


	Installed Sound Equipment

	Hanging Loudspeakers

	Nursery Paging Systems


	Listening & Translation

	Hearing Enhancement Systems

	Language Translation Systems


	Projectors

	Manage Heat in Projector

	Projector Running Smoothly

	Cleaning Projector Filter


	In Ear Monitor System

	In-Ear Monitors

	Maximize In-Ear Monitors


	Audio Signal Processing

	The Vocal Channel Strip

	Audio Compressor 2

	Audio Compressor 2

	Audio Compressor Solutions


	Wireless Microphone Systems

	Choosing Wireless Mic


	Purchasing Options

	Benefits of Leasing


	Accessories

	I love gaffers tape!


	Media Services

	Pre-printed CD-Rs Save

Microphone Basics

There are so many microphones to choose from and, quite frankly, it can be hard to know which one is best for a particular application. Someone once said, "Knowledge is power" and that is what this little article is going to do - give you power through knowledge. We are going to equip you with the basic basics about how mics work and if I do my job correctly, well, like Chef Francois Minot says, "Anybody can make you enjoy the first bite of a dish, but only a real chef can make you enjoy the last." Go on; let your curiosity get the best of you. Read the rest of the article.

Choosing the right microphone is kind of like choosing what you want to eat. Sometimes you base your meals around what you desire in the moment and other times you pick food because it's what your body needs. Also, with every meal you eat comes ingredients that were used to make up that meal. Now, if I can get you to suspend reality for a moment and think of microphones in this same manner we will be able to remove a lot of the mystery surrounding mics and how they are to be used. In order to help you choose the right mic I'm going to talk a little bit about the ingredients, the stuff that mics are made of and since I'm already talking about food, let's start there.

Food for Thought

Way, way back in November (that would be last month) I was in Chicago for another Seminars4Worship event. While I was there I had all these food ideas swimming through my mind. Before I left I had to make sure to get some authentic Chicago-style pizza and a genuine Chicago hot dog (after all, Chicago is the home of Vienna Beef). So, have I used the word Chicago enough? I'm digressing, let me move on. One day during the Seminars4Worship event we had pizza brought in and boy was I excited. Unfortunately, when I started eating my expectations were dashed. The pizza wasn't that great but after asking around I found a place that fit the bill. My pizza craving was satisfied. For me, it all came down to the ingredients and how the pizza was made.

After reading about food for the last several paragraphs you may be getting hungry. Here's what you need to do. Go eat something! Otherwise you won't pay attention to the rest of this article, you won't learn what you need to, and my feelings will get hurt. So go eat.

Now that we got that out of the way, let's talk about microphone basics. One of the most often asked questions during our participation in the Seminars4Worship events was, "What's the difference between microphone models?" I would always try to answer simply and to the point but the question does beg for a semi-technical response. As I lay down a few basics here I will try to be as non-technical as possible. If your eyes start glazing over, I'll make sure to simplify.

Back to Basics

All microphones are transducers which is a fancy way of saying they turn acoustical energy (your voice or an instrument that is being mic'd) into electrical energy (the kind of energy your sound system can work with). There are many different models of microphones out there to choose from but there are only two main types of microphones that you will encounter on a regular basis. Before any of you purists get mad, let me say one thing: there are more than two types of microphones, but we will only be discussing the two types that most people use.

The two most common types of mics are dynamic and condenser. Dynamic mics use a diaphragm/voice-coil/magnet assembly and condenser mics are designed around an electrically charged diaphragm/backplate assembly.

Diagram of voice coil and magnet of Dynamic Microphone

Diagram of voice coil and magnet of Dynamic Microphone

Here's what that means to you:
With the dynamic mic, sound strikes the diaphragm (a thin plastic membrane) which vibrates in response to the sound hitting it. For a visual on this, lightly hold a piece of writing paper and talk into it. You will see how the air of your voice moves the paper. Attached to the diaphragm is a small coil of wire (think small slinky), called the voice coil, which moves or vibrates when the diaphragm moves. The combination of the voice coil and the magnet (see diagram at right) creates a magnetic field. When the voice coil moves, the magnetic field turns our acoustic energy into an electrical signal.

OK, I see eyes starting to glaze so I will make this a little more practical. Here's the skinny on dynamic mics: they are very rugged, like the Shure SM58 (drop them 100' and they will still work), now with products like the new ( AT 5 MIC Pack) you can buy decent sounding mics for a resonable price. They can also handle greater sound pressure levels without distorting. On the other hand, they tend to have limited frequency response, especially in the high end. The frequency response of a mic will tell you how well that mic will reproduce all the sounds of the audio spectrum. Dynamic mics can't be made very small (usually the size of a hand or bigger) and they aren't very sensitive. Microphone sensitivity will determine how loud the signal coming out of the mic is based on how loud the signal going into it is. Dynamic mics usually need a little more input (volume of sound coming from your mouth or other source signal) in order to produce adequate output (volume that you can use at your sound board).

Diagram of diaphragm and backplate of a Condenser Microphone

Diagram of diaphragm and backplate of a Condenser Microphone

Condenser mics are a little more complicated in their design. I am going to over simplify so please don't throw stones at me if I am not being technical enough for you. Basically, sound waves hit the very thin metal diaphragm. As the diaphragm moves it changes the spacing between it and the backplate (see diagram at right) which is how an electrical signal is generated from your acoustic signal. In order for condenser mics to work they have special electronics built into them and those special electronics always need a power source. Condenser mics can be powered by batteries or by something called Phantom Power which can usually be found on your mixer.

There's the tech-lite version of how condenser mics work. Here are the pros and cons of condenser mics in no particular order. Poorly designed condensers will be noisy due to the special electronics in them and they will distort more easily at higher volumes. As a general rule (though it's more of a guideline then a rule) condensers are more expensive like the Shure KSM9 because of all the extra stuff it takes to make them. They are more sensitive than dynamic mics and usually have a better frequency response. The new Audio Technica (AT2010 ) is a perfect example of how articulated and sensitive a handheld condenser can be. If you have any really small mics around (Countryman E6i ) they are probably condensers. These mics can be made so small that your eye can barely see them.

So why choose a dynamic over a condenser? Good question. I'm glad you asked. If you have a singer that really belts it out and loves to eat the mic (not literally) you might put them on a dynamic, like the Sennheiser E835. If you have a very dynamic singer (lots of quiet and loud transitions) a more sensitive condenser might be better for them such as the Shure Beta87. The sound source is important in determining what mic to use but your environment also has a part to play in the matter. Your environmental guideline is this: use a dynamic in unpredictable environments and use a condenser in a more controlled space.

That's all I have to say about microphone basics. There is definitely more I can write about the basics of mics but let's just baby step it for now.

By the way, I never did get my Chicago hot dog. So, if you feel the need to bless someone, you could fly me out to Chicago and treat me to a Chicago dog.

Microphone Basics

By Richard Aronson is a worship leader, drummer, product Specialist with over 20 years of

Showing 1 - 6 of 6 Products

Audio-Technica ATM710 Microphone

Cardioid Condenser Handheld Vocal Microphone

The new ATM710 Artist Series vocal condenser microphone from Audio-Technica is tailored for exacting detail and high-fidelity vocal reproduction. With a condenser design for studio-quality performance, the ATM710 delivers remarkable clarity, even in . . .

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$169.00 + Free Shipping

List Price $299.00

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Countryman E6 i Headset Microphone

Headset Mic that Fits Shure Wireless (TA4F) & Cable for Same

This Countryman E6 i Headset Microphone is matched to fit Shure wireless transmitters with TA4F connectors. Included with the E6i is a free adapter/replacement Countryman cable for the same Shure Wireless Systems, valued at $70!

. . .

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Sennheiser E835 Handheld Vocal Microphone

Microphone, wired dynamic cardioid handheld

The Sennheiser e835 is an intense, lead vocal stage mic that's designed to perform well under pressure. Its uniform frequency cardioid pick-up pattern maintains signal quality when moving on and off axis, and its minimal proximity effect provides . . .

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$99.95 + Free Shipping

List Price $150.00

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Shure BETA 87C Handheld Vocal Microphone

Microphone, cardioid condenser handheld

The Beta 87A™ is consistently a top choice of performers and audio technicians around the world due to its superb accuracy and detail, and rich vocal production. This long-standing favorite now incorporates a cardioid polar pattern and has been . . .

[More Info...] ITEM NUMBER SHU-BETA87C

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Shure KSM9 Charcoal Gray Vocal Microphone

Handheld Vocal Condenser Mic in Charcoal Gray

Engineered to exacting standards, the Shure KSM9 vocal microphone unites the best of studio and stage. With its dual diaphragm design and switchable polar patterns, the KSM9 reveals nuance and subtlety in a microphone optimized for the most demanding . . .

[More Info...] ITEM NUMBER SHU-KSM9-CG

$699.00 + Free Shipping

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Shure SM58 Handheld Microphone

Microphone, wired dynamic cardioid handheld vocal

This legendary Shure vocal mic is tuned to accentuate the warmth and clarity of lead and back-up vocals. Consistently the first choice of performers around globe, the Shure SM58® is a unidirectional (cardioid) dynamic vocal microphone . . .

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Showing 1 - 6 of 6

CCI Solutions has an outstanding group of people passionate about their work and compassionate about the service they extend to their customers! Thank you for teaming with me to accomplish similar goals - that's synergy!

Lydia Davis
South Bay Community Church

Super-Warm Midrange and Flat-response makes the SRH440 shine for Studio and Live Use!

Shure manufactures some of the finest pro audio products available today. Some of their microphones have reached legendary status while many more are used everyday in recording and performance scenarios. I was very excited to hear about the new SRH professional headphones and could not wait to give them a try.

Read the review >>

Microphones

Choir Miking

How to Handheld Mics

Microphone Basics II

Microphone Basics

AT 2110 Review

How Microphones Work

Stereo Mic Techniques

Video

ANSI vs. NITS

Projector Brightness

Projector Interface Options

Adding Visuals

What is a Scaler

Lighting

Patterns in Light

LED Lighting Overview

Which Light

Audio Recording

Do-it-Yourself Recording

Podcasting

Publishing a Podcast

Sound Systems

Audio Snake Basics

Ceiling Speaker Placement

Channel Inserts

Are your drums too loud?

Feedback Control

Glossary

Portable Sound Tips

Rechargeable Batteries

Speaker Placement

Guitar Amps - Worship

Eliminate Hum

Avoid Wireless Problems

Duplication & Media

Cassettes Are King

Cassette-i-quette

CD-R Q&A

DVD On Demand

DVD-R Q & A

Duplicator Cleaning

Choose a Duplicator

Erase a Cassette

Tape Ministry

DVD-R compatibility Issues

Installed Sound Equipment

Hanging Loudspeakers

Nursery Paging Systems

Listening & Translation

Hearing Enhancement Systems

Language Translation Systems

Projectors

Manage Heat in Projector

Projector Running Smoothly

Cleaning Projector Filter

In Ear Monitor System

In-Ear Monitors

Maximize In-Ear Monitors

Audio Signal Processing

The Vocal Channel Strip

Audio Compressor 2

Audio Compressor 2

Audio Compressor Solutions

Wireless Microphone Systems

Choosing Wireless Mic

Purchasing Options

Benefits of Leasing

Accessories

I love gaffers tape!

Media Services

Pre-printed CD-Rs Save

Microphone Basics

Food for Thought

Back to Basics

Microphone Basics

Audio-Technica ATM710 Microphone

Cardioid Condenser Handheld Vocal Microphone

The new ATM710 Artist Series vocal condenser microphone from Audio-Technica is tailored for exacting detail and high-fidelity vocal reproduction. With a condenser design for studio-quality performance, the ATM710 delivers remarkable clarity, even in . . .

Countryman E6 i Headset Microphone

This Countryman E6 i Headset Microphone is matched to fit Shure wireless transmitters with TA4F connectors. Included with the E6i is a free adapter/replacement Countryman cable for the same Shure Wireless Systems, valued at $70!

. . .