Microphones are an essential part of any performer or musician’s life – they are a piece of equipment that they could not live without. There are a number of other jobs that rely, in part, on microphones or speakers, too. Knowing what makes a perfect microphone is fundamental if you are intending on going out and purchasing one. There are a number of different types of microphones, which can complicate things when you step onto a shop floor and begin browsing them. For instance, U87 microphone is famous for its great sound and stabled characteristics. Finding the perfect microphone, by the end of this article, however, will become second nature.
Yes, as you may have guessed by both our title and introductory paragraph, this article is going to tell you the attributes that make a perfect microphone so that you can find the perfect microphone for you. If we have left anything out, please leave a comment down below!
What makes a perfect microphone? Here are the essentials that you need to know.
Pickup Pattern
Most microphones have selectable pickup patterns; this could potentially be of importance depending on what your intended use of the microphone is. A pickup pattern is a sound field that your microphone will pick up sound on. If you are going to use the microphone to record a small group of singers, you will want an omnidirectional microphone capsule; these microphones are also great if you want to capture the natural characteristics of a good room with high ceilings. If you do not have control over your environment, however, you will want a cardioid pattern, which is in the shape of a heart and will reject sound from behind it, while picking up sound that is in front of it. The microphone specialists from RockScience Custom Shop explain that you may also want to find a microphone that allows you to switch between patterns – that is a sentiment we most certainly agree with. Finding the right pickup pattern is crucial if you are a musician, or if you intend on recording with a microphone. Do not overlook the importance of pickup patterns.
Proximity Sensitivity
For most things, such as voice-overs or podcasts, you will want to find a microphone with good proximity sensitivity. When people are recording, they tend to move away from the microphone unconsciously. If you can get a microphone with good proximity sensitivity, you can get an even and smooth result from 25 inches to 3. This is a good feature to look for so that your recording does not drop in quality when a person moves away from the microphone, which they do generally tend to do. Look for proximity sensitivity whenever you are buying a microphone – trust us on this one!
Frequency Curve
Professional microphones always offer a graph detailing frequency response. Frequency response is the measurement of magnitude in which the microphone responds to frequency ranges. Quite simply, some microphones will pick up higher highs than they will lower lows and vice versa. Because of this, you need to know how to read a frequency graph, as well as know which frequencies you will need to pick up on. You should always do research beforehand and ensure that you only ever purchase a microphone that reaches the frequencies that you need it to so that you can save yourself trouble in the future.
Battery, Phantom Power, and Power Supply
The power supply of your microphone is another very important component of a high-quality microphone. When you are buying a microphone, you must find one with a high-quality power supply unit so that you can ensure that you do not lose battery or power – and so you can ensure that you stay connected for the entire duration of your recording. Losing power can be a nightmare, especially in the middle of an awesome recording session. Research and ensure that the microphone that you are buying has the best quality power supply unit, whether it be the battery, phantom power, or wired.
Noise Floor
When you purchase a cheaper microphone, the noise floor will generally be lower. The noise floor is when a microphone picks up on sound in the background when you are not making any noise. The noise floor is something that is very important, and while any environment can produce enough noise to make even the highest quality of microphone pick up on it, the better models generally pick up on less than the power quality models. The noise floor can interfere with your recording massively.
Finding the right microphone is crucial for artists, musicians, or anyone who loves to record. We hope that with this article you now know how you can pick up the best microphone and ensure that every single recording session is one that is fun, engaging, and high quality.
