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Microphones
In this category you will find a range of microphones divided into different groups depending on what you will need to use them for: close miking for instruments, vocals and live or general use as well as microphones suitable for ambient mic. techniques. Microphones largely fall into two categories - dynamic microphones and condenser microphones. In basic terms the dynamic microphone is unpowered and generally speaking less sensitive to sound signals.
The condenser microphone needs either battery power or phantom power [supplied by the device to which the mic is connected] in order to work. Another difference between microphones is their pick up pattern which determines from what direction the microphone is sensitive to sound - from the front, from the front and rear or from all around for examples. Frequency response is also a way in which microphones differs and this relates to the sensitivity of the microphone to certain frequencies. A microphone with a flat frequency response is perhaps the ideal as this microphone would be equally as sensitive to the different frequencies of sound generated by the sound source.
When chosing microphones you should if you can opt for one that suits the specific purpose unless you need an all-purpose microphone to use for different recording or live sound needs. In the microphone sub categories you can find microphones suitable for different purposes which will if you are not sure help you find the right one.
| Microphone Basics (29/03/2007) An excerpt from the Dolphin Music resources for NCFE Music Technology |