What Is A Condenser Microphone? 7 Common Questions Answered

If you’re putting together a home studio, one of the first pieces of equipment you’re going to need is a microphoneIf you’re putting together a home studio, one of the first pieces of equipment you’re going to need is a microphone.

There are seemingly endless varieties to choose from, especially if you’re new to the game. If you do a little investigating, you’ll come across quite an assortment:

•  Dynamic microphones
•  Ribbon microphones
•  Bass microphones
•  USB microphones
•  Shotgun microphones
•  Boundary microphones
•  Multi-pattern microphones
•  Condenser microphones

So which one do you get?

Many of these microphones have their specific uses. The most important types to know are dynamic microphones and condenser microphones. Dynamic microphones are widely used. They are especially good for live performance.

Condenser microphones are particularly popular for creating music in studio, because of their high fidelity. They pick up a higher amount of the input signal. Because of this, they capture the most accurate representation of the sound in the room. That’s why they are a constant favorite for recording studios.

1. What is a Condenser Microphone?

A condenser microphone is sometimes called a capacitor microphone. It captures sound through the movements of a metallic diaphragm. This diaphragm fluctuates as it is struck by sound waves from a singer or instrument.

The diaphragm is mounted in front of a static plate which forms a capacitor. The movements of the diaphragm change the size of the capacitor, which results in an electronic signal that can be broadcast as sound.

This is quite an amazing piece of technology when you think about it. The sound signals are being created by two pieces of simple material that aren’t even touching. In fact, it’s the changing distance between them that is creating the sounds.

This simple design allows condenser microphones to capture a very wide frequency range. If you’re trying to get a rich and accurate recording, that’s a very good thing.

Condenser mics also have a high level of transient response, which is another component of getting a quality sound capture.

One challenge with condenser mics is that they do require a power supply. You will have to hook them up to some form of phantom power. These are often 48 volt systems that come from external power supplies. Luckily, most audio interfaces come with phantom power built right in.

Keep in mind, in order to utilize and audio interface’s built-in phantom power, you must hook up via XLR cable, even if 1/4″ inch is an option. The power doesn’t travel through your 1/4″ aux cable.

Some of the advantages of condenser microphones are:

• Widest frequency response
•  Especially good at capturing high frequency
•  Best transient response
•  Higher sensitivity and lower noise
•  Lighter assembly that is easier to move
•  Small design

2. What Variations Of Condenser Microphones Are There?

Not all condenser mics are the same. There are both large and small diaphragm condenser microphones that have specific recording advantages.

Large Diaphragm

Large diaphragm condenser microphones are particularly effective at picking up low-end frequencies with high sensitivity.

Small Diaphragm

Small diaphragm condenser microphones are very good with high frequencies.

What to Use and When

As a general rule, large diaphragm condenser microphones are best suited for recording vocals. Small diaphragm condenser microphones like the MXL 603S are best suited for recording instruments.

This isn’t the case with absolutely all sorts of instruments. For instance, a small diaphragm condenser microphone will be ideal for recording acoustic guitar. It won’t be as well-suited to recording kick drums.

For recording drums, a mix of condenser and dynamic mics can actually be ideal. In fact, many professional live recordings use a mix of these mics to capture the full range of sounds.

3. Why Choose A Condensor Mic?

Widest Frequency Response

It doesn’t matter what notes you hit if your microphone can’t pick up the sound. Condenser microphones have the widest frequency response of all microphones which means you aren’t going to have distortion inserted into your track because of the limitations of your microphone. Remember, however, that in order to get the best recording you need to get a high-quality microphone. An inexpensive condenser microphone might not perform well enough to give your sound the recording quality it deserves.

Best Transient Response

Transient responses “are impacts”—like the clatter of drumsticks or the sound of a guitar pick snapping across the strings. If you want to record sharp, popping, impulse sounds you’ll make the best recording with a condenser microphone.

Higher Sensitivity and Lower Noise

Again, this is based on the assumption that you will obtain a high-quality condenser microphone. A good quality condenser microphone is extremely sensitive to sound accuracy and will not introduce errant static.

Condenser microphones make extremely accurate recordings which can be both a positive and a negative. Accuracy is important, but sometimes you get a better sound by enhancing the recording with harmonic distortion. However, a sound track can always be manipulated in post-production, so there is an obvious benefit to an accurate recording.

4. Condenser Microphones or Dynamic Microphones?

Now, many of you may be asking: “why not use dynamic microphones instead? What are the advantages of condenser microphones? I’ve had a dynamic microphone for years… are condenser mics really better than dynamic mics?”

It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. For outdoor recording and live broadcasting, dynamic microphones offer some real, tangible advantages. However, I’d argue that if you have a home studio and you can control the acoustics of your environment, the condenser mic is the way to go.

5. Power Sources and Condenser Microphones

Because condenser mics need external power, it can help to understand these systems a bit. The earliest condenser mics in the early-mid 1900s used large power supply units. These were heavy and unwieldy. The inconvenience didn’t do much to help make them easy to use.

In the 1960s, it became common for mixing desks to come with a feature that allowed them to supply power directly to condenser mics. The direct connection made them much simpler for studio recording.

Condenser mics became standardized in studios across the world. After that, it was no longer such a headache to keep their backplates charged. Now it isn’t difficult to use them at all, even in a typical home studio setup. 

Not to mention, now almost all audio interfaces (like the Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 pictured above) come with 48v phantom power built-in.

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