How To Choose The Right Microphone: A Mic Guide
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 27 ก.ค. 2024
- How to choose the right microphone? Which microphone for which purpose? This is the beginner's guide to mic selection. In this video, you'll learn the difference between the four main types of microphones and when to use them.
Please like and subscribe and maybe buy me a coffee!
www.buymeacoffee.com/thetps
Feel free to skip to your desired chapter:
00:00 - Intro
00:35 - Kinds of Mics
01:30 - Dynamic Mics
04:14 - Large Diaphragm Condensers
08:28 - Small Diaphragm Condensers
08:50 - Pencil Condensers
11:27 - Shotgun Mics
13:53 - Lav Mics
16:23 - Ribbon Mics
18:29 - A Final Word
#MicSelection #WhichMicWhen #microphones #audiogear #miccomparison #MicHowto #Sphere #TownsendLabsL22 #UADSphere #dynamicmicrophone #condensermicrophone #RibbonMicrophone #shotgunmic #SDCMic #Neve1084
Gear Used in this video:
-Townsend Labs L22 (UA DLX) Sphere Microphone (U47 emulation)
-Universal Audio Apollo Twin X Audio Interface (Neve 1084 Preamp)
-UAD Luna DAW
-Canon M50
-Sigma 30mm 1.4 EF-M Lens
-Sennheiser HD25 Headphones
-Manfrotto BeFree Tripod
-Manfrotto Mini Tripod (MixPre Mount)
-Godox ML60 Continuous Light
-Godox 32" Softbox with Grid
-GVM LED light panel (backlight)
-Pixel GS1 RGB Light
-Godox VL49 RGB Light
-Canadian Studio 5-in-1 Reflector
-Edited in Davinci Resolve
Links to purchase all my gear below! Please use them, I could really use the bones to help make more videos!
My film Kit:
kit.co/The_Recordists/film-kit
My Music Recording Kit:
kit.co/The_Recordists/music-r...
All of my kits:
kit.co/The_Recordists
If you'd like to see more or less of anything in my examinations, let me know!
My Tip Jar!
donorbox.org/help-the-tps-get... - เพลง
You're the only reviewer who has ever measured his head. This makes this Mic guide video all the more authoritative and reliable. A lot of other audio experts fail to see the connection between microphone choice and head size. I can't thank you enough.
Hahahahahahahahha
The only review for beginner. Subscribed. I will be your loyal, just so much value in one video.
Incredible content. Deserves a big big audience
Oh thanks so much! I appreciate the kind words! Cheers!
Very well-put. Can't see any points missing from introductions of each mics.
Thank you very much! I’m always hopeful I didn’t miss anything. Cheers!
didn't know anything about mics, even took notes, great video!
Thanks very much!
Well explained
brother.. Thank you
Thanks! And you’re welcome!
Love your work, man. Its informative and funny an the same time. Thank you for it and hope to see/hear more from you👍
Hey thanks so much! I’m here every Monday! Cheers!
This video quantifies what I've learned over the past 16 years. I am familiar with all the mics, but didn't realize just how much there is to know about them, and I just thought, well, these are the things about the different kinds of mics. Excellent way to break it down for people who are not so familiar. There's more to it than probably many people would expect. This video is also valuable for entertainment value....as well as reminding me of the incredible videos I can't afford. It's not what I do for a living, but it is something I am serious about. Thus, THAT is what my budget is. ;)
Haha. Well thank you so much!
Which videos can’t you afford?
@@TheRecordist - Wow, what a word-o. I meant the "mics" I can't afford. A Schoeps is $1,600 on the low end, and $1,000 for the MKH-416.
@@northcoaststudios oh man. Hard agree! I in no way can afford even the 416. I had to finance it. Seriously. I totally get what you’re saying. I’ll probably never have a Schoeps.
Luckily I have a local music store that will get me whatever I need and let me throw it on financing. If I didn’t have that, I would have any of what I have. Maybe one day I’ll make money on TH-cam. Haha.
But you have to do what you have to do. And we’re here right now on earth. Let’s try to enjoy it. Know what I mean?
This is a great video and I learned a lot. Thank your so much.
You very welcome! Glad you enjoyed it!
Perfect, this was exactly the video I was looking for, thank you!
You’re very welcome!
Lots of very useful information, specially for a newbie like myself. Thank You
You’re very welcome! Cheers!
Very useful thank u man.
Hey, you’re welcome!
wow this now is THE video for audio. excellent work
Hey thanks so much! I appreciate that!
Thank you for the great information! They teach you very little of this in music school!
You’re very welcome!
Damn…this was so helpful!! 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
Fantastic! Cheers!
Thanks, Hal!
You’re very welcome! Cheers!
Excellent informative video for recording Studio setup. Also the mics. selection is distinguished.
Thank you very much! Cheers!
Lav mics are used in music productions. I have a DVD with a Händel opera where in the bonus material we see how the singers are equipped with lav mics on their cheeks or in their hairline. Not for amplification, only for recording. One of the singers, a bass, is angling his lips to the side of his face where the microphone is placed, which looks weird, but sounds great.
Oh yes. Lav mics are extensively used in musical theatre. Sometimes even hidden in their hair. It works well!
Great stuff!
Thanks, dude!
I couldn't have said any of what you said towards the end better myself.
I believe all of us can get WAY ahead of ourselves when selecting gear, and then we get all wrapped up in wanting something "better" than what we've got every time. (That's how these businesses who manufacture it get us to fall into their traps. They know what people are willing to pay good money for. Hence why I don't always strive to create "quality content" when I make something to post online. I don't want to contribute to the doom scrolling)
It gets us just so invested that we forget the original reason why we wanted our gear in the first place. It was to have the ability to create content.
In the end, what works works.
You’re right. However, if you’re going into audio on a professional level, the best thing to do is to do all the research needed to decide what you’ll need going forward. There are a lot of really bad mics and gear. And there are a lot of mid-priced gear that is kick-ass. It’s all about figuring out what you want to do, making a plan, and executing it.
It’s easy to fall down the never-ending black hole of gear purchases. We’ve all been there. But choosing where to put your money once, is probably the very best route.
Thanks for watching and for commenting!
Great video!
Thanks so much!
Super video again 👍 and I was looking forward to it 😊 Great and very! useful information for people like me who are interested in this area, but lack this kind of your vast experience. I had no idea and will watch it again. And I will explore the working of a ribbon mic somewhat more, because I don't understand how they work.
Yesterday I bought myself a secondhand Orcabag 270 for about 50 bucks your currency. Now I just need a Mixpre 😆
Feedback: watch the part of the Shotgun Mics again. This part is in the second half of the video. You mention a lot! of new information to viewers who are new on this subject. So it is more pleasant to keep some space/brakes in the sentences/information you present (Like the first part!!!) It's ok (or even great 👍) that the video is long, and when you compress all the information by leaving out some breaks (to breathe or think) it becomes more fatiguing to watch, listen and especially process everything you say. Especially for people who are new in the field. And it might even cause that people stop watching the rest of your amazing video.
The best (relaxed, informative and hilarious) parts watch were absolutely the Dynamic Mics and Large Diaphragm Condensers; really top!! content 👍👍👍
Well thanks, Roland! I always have so much information to impart and I worry about video length, but I suppose I shouldn’t.
Glad you got an OR-270 for so cheap! It’s a great little bag!
Nice and informative video. Best explanation by far. You need a little work on the thumbnail and titles and you will for sure blow up.
Hey thanks! I have since changed how I do thumbnails. I’m not sure if they’re any good or not, but I really suck at them. What about titles? What do you suggest?
How the heck do you have so few subscribers? You have great content, a great sense of humor, and high production values.
I’m going to try to send some of my subscribers your way.
I appreciate what you do.
Hey man. Thanks so much! I really appreciate that! I just make videos every week and hope for the best. Haha. Should I be advertising or something? I guess I’m 100% organic. I really appreciate your wonderful words! Cheers!
@psionicaudio I just saw your subscriber list! Wow! That must feel great! I saw some of your videos and think they’re awesome! I subscribed! Cheers!
This channel is going to explode(in a good way).
Hahaha. Thanks so much! I sure hope so! It’s fun to do but takes a lot of time. Thanks for watching and for the lovely comment! Cheers!
Very informative, my 416 can sound great or can sound not that great at all depending on environment 🙈 also I find even dynamic mics pickup environment just as bad if in very very poorly treated room…
Hey man! Indeed. There is no 100% of anything, but of all the choices, a dynamic is best in a bad room. At least better than a condenser. Thanks for watching!
Thankyou very much for this! Excellent video. My wife is a home jingle/commercial singer in a not sound proof made-up office with lots of external interference. We got initially an Audio Technica AT2020 but the mixers tend to have to EQ a lot, and after your video I think it would be better a Dynamic 🎤. I'm thinking a SM57 (from another video when you were Han Solo!) please your comments on this, or should we spend more on a SM7B?? Thanks!
Hi Ivan. Well, ideally you’ll want to try to quiet and dampen your room, but if you can’t, then an SM57 will be just fine. The SM7B will be even better. Huge price difference between them though.
However, with dynamic mics, there comes another issue: they’re notoriously low-powered. If you were to get an SM7B, I would instead opt for the SM7dB. It’s much more powerful and really shines. th-cam.com/video/9erlaf5u1W8/w-d-xo.htmlsi=uXLFmccd-AhEeP0Z
Alternatively, if you like the articulation of a condenser (like the AT2020) but want a the sound rejection that comes with dynamics, might I interest you in the Lauten Audio LS-208? th-cam.com/video/exOODK6rghU/w-d-xo.htmlsi=KaW0aoQspJyuqDSs
Here’s the trick. Since you don’t know how you’re going to like something (everyone has different tastes and situations), try either renting mics or at least buying them from a company who have a good return policy. This way, if it doesn’t suit you, you can try a few until you find the one.
One thing is for sure, all the options presented here are probably better than the AT2020 - which is a decent mic, but a little bit toppy and slightly noisy.
Hope this helps!
@@TheRecordist WOW. Thanks for the insight. Will definitely look into the options. She has a MotuM2 interface which could work with the SM7B but with the gain at max, but 500 is a steep jump. I'll check the LS.
Also, she has a high pitch voice and gets loud sometimes so I'm not sure how to address the "darkness" of the mic, or if for her specific voice we should be looking for something different. Thank you again very much! I'm watching the LS and your dream brain. Jeje
@ hahaha. Thanks for watching the vids!
Ok. The M2 is a nice interface and I think it has about 60dB of gain, which would push an Sm7dB. Do you have a sample of her voice that you could send me?
recordist@thetps.ca
She might be fine with an SM57 to save some money. Just be sure to have ample plosive protection. The 57 is very naked.
Most ribbon microphones that I have seen are mostly used for paperweights. Not because they are a bad mic, but because some doofus still had phantom power on when they connected a ribbon microphone. Ooooopsie!
Hahaha. Oh man. One of the reasons I never bought a ribbon was because of how delicate they are. They need to be stored upright and can’t be blown on. And under no circumstance can you forget that phantom power is on. Hahaha.
I own too many mics. (59 is the latest count). None more expensive than the 416.
I own mics in every category, except ribbon mics: Fragile + expensive = no thanks.
The cheapest I own is the Superlux Sonata 88s which cost $60 ... for a sixpack! Yep, ten dollars a piece. Bought them just out of curiosity. They're dynamics, SM58 style. Sound quality isn't too bad, but the handling noise is unbelievable! They had to save somewhere, I guess.
I’m the same as you! I’ve got every type except a ribbon-and for the same reasons as you. Haha. But I do have a Sphere mic that emulates expensive ribbons very well. I love it.
Man, those are some cheap mics! Thanks for watching!
Pretty interesting, are generally speaking a Dynamic less prone to handling noise than others ?
Oh yes. Dynamics are far less prone to handling noise. This is another reason that dynamics are used by singers live on stages-many while holding them in their hands. Great question!
Hi sir what kind of mic would you suggest for voice recording like singing
Well that all depends on the room you’re recording in. If it’s noisy or reverberant, then you’d want a dynamic mic like a Shure SM7B or an SM57. If you’ve got a dead room and not much noise or reverberation, then a large diaphragm condenser like an sE4400 will be excellent.
For specific mics, I’d need to know your budget.
Ah. You did mention the CS-3e!
I think I did!
Finding the right mic can quickly turn into a Space Odyssey, especially if you want a mic from 1968 or even 2001 and prices can go Interstellar...not just for vintage mics but also for good ones from 2014...or 2023. Doing ones research does not always protect one from picking up a bad apple every once in a while. I ordered one from Miller´s Planet just the other week and when I received it in about 9038 I sent it right back. It got there in about another 5000 years ago....🤣🤣🤣
Hahahaha. This guy gets it! Hahahaha
hi , i am working on starting a production company for and looking to get two mics for video production i have the 416 but i was looking to get another mic like the 4053B for the Oktava MK-012-01 Movie Set, hypercardioid Capsule, Low Cut Filter, Windscreen (Silver) that you review awhile ago. or should i just go with a sennhieser mke600 . What is your recommendation for a start up production company ?
Hey. Thanks for the question! My suggestion would be my own personal suggestion and other recordists may differ in opinion. On a tight budget, I’d go with the Oktava. This is because I know it well and have used it extensively and it’s always been awesome with a little EQ finessing. As long as you get a good one (the quality control is sometimes sucky, but the newer ones seem great).
Ideally it’ll be the Sennheiser MKH-50 but that’s about $1300 USD and quite out of reach to most people.
The 4053B is a fantastic mic also. But more money than the Oktava. It’s also much more resilient than the Oktava, since the Oktava needs some babying (it doesn’t like too much humidity).
I do have an EQ profile that works in FabFilter Pro-Q 3 that will help make the Oktava sound like the the MKH-50 on my website (www.thetps.ca/digital-downloads)
So to sum, in order of suggestion:
1. Sennheiser MKH-50
2. AT 4053b
3. Oktava MK-012
Hope this helps!
I want to ask a question. I like to record live shows, or concerts, but ı want to know if ı am doin it right. Since ı am not a member of the crew of the concert that ı am recording, only way to record is using mics. (I am doıng this for educateing myself to record and mix properly a live sounds. I know, it's not the right way but ı want to record that live ambience like we hear at the moment and that's my goal when ı'm recording with mics. Currently, ı am recording with my tascam x 8's built in small condenser mics. They are good in capturing highs in this situation but ı want that bass rumbling at the same time capturing the highs of the cymbals. I want to know that which microphone or mics should ı use. Since can't get any closer, so I' am buying my tickets as close as ı can get to stage. My thought was to use two small condenser mics positioning x y, for capturing the highs of the sound, and two large diaphragm condenser mic pairs for low frequency sounds like kick of the drum. Is it right or should ı use different mics and different positioning? I really want to record good sound of the live concerts so if you help me, ı'm gonna really appreciate that.
Hi there. Well, the problem is that cardioid
mics tend not to capture low end the further from the source they are. Large diaphragm condensers would be no different. I’m assuming the mics in the X8 are cardioids.
The only thing that might help is perhaps a pair of Pluggy mics or Clippy mics. These are Omni mics and will help capture more of the lows the other onboard mics are missing.
Plus they’re very small.
Hope this helps!
@@TheRecordist thank you for your help, I think ı am going to buy lewitt lct 140 pair condenser mics.I liked the sound of the microphones and there are pads for low cut and flat or air switch for changing mic characteristics. hope it helps me to capture detailed and live sound. If there is a specific microphone brand or model you would like to recommend, I would be very happy.
What kind of mic would you suggest for a recording in a room full of other people talking
For walla? I’d recommend a pair of cardioid condensers in stereo in an ORTF configuration.
\ /
I’m partial to Line Audio CM4 mics. Cheap and awesome.
I wonder if you used Sennheiser mke600 and how compare it to mkh416
Well, the 600 is nowhere near a 416 in terms of quality. It’s almost like Sennheiser has two different companies within one company. One one side, they make insanely great mics like the 416 or 8040 or MKH-50, and on the other side they make amazon basics stuff.
It’s not that the 600 is a terrible mic, but it’s not going to get you the 416 sound. Also, I’ve heard that there maybe a quality control issue with the 600s. Some are very nosy while others are quiet.
That’s my experience with the 600s. Sorry if it’s something you wanted or have already.
In the end, as always, one gets what one pays for. With mics, too good to be true is always the case. Always.
@@TheRecordist thank you so much for amazing review and replying kindly, please keep going so we lean more from your experience.
I live in Iraq and I bought SM7B after receiving it I contacted Shure and they told me its fake and there is no return policy in Iraq so I stuck with it, I want to buy another mic and I can’t find better than 416 at reasonable price, it’s about 700$ and mke600 is 200 that’s why tempted toward it. I only used it for TH-cam voice over .
I will buy sm57 maybe later too
@@TheRecordist btw i hate sound of Diety mic, it’s like digitally created sound, it’s not human sound in my ears and I don’t know why
@@peshrawable yep. I tried and tried but I also do not enjoy the sound of a Deity mic. I think they sound good for other people but not me. At least, these are of the ones I’ve tried.
Don’t get me wrong though. I think they’re better than a lot of other similarly priced mics but once you go higher end, all you can hear is that distorted 2K sound. I’ve given them a good review before with the D3 Pro, but I always have to remind myself that there are a lot of people who can’t afford the higher end mics and so I try to find the good in every product.
@@peshrawable there’s no return policy in Iraq?? That’s crazy! So people just get ripped off all over the place there?
Well, you’d better watch for 416 knockoffs too. They’re out there. Same with SM57 mics. Make sure to contact Sennheiser and ask them who they recommend buying sennheiser products from in your area. Get it in writing like an email. This way you have a paper trail and can come after them if they steer you wrong.
As for the 600, I think there are some better options. Although I’m no massive fan of Røde, the NTG3 is a great mic. Actually, it might be the best mic they make. You may be able to find a good price on a used one. And it comes with a 10 year warranty. If you can’t afford a 416, the next best thing is an NTG3 in my opinion.
Once in a musical stage performance, many actors had the little mic on the forehead. Needless to say it looked very wrong and distracting, I had a hard time enjoying the play
Ahh yes. The old lav mic on the forehead trick. It’s the very best way to get not only excellently recorded sound, but for a PA system as well when in a very large venue.
Ideally they’d be hidden in the front hairline, but sometimes with quick costume changes, having it somewhere where it won’t get in the way is best.
Sorry you were distracted by it!
SIR
I want to do voice over. I want to record my poetry professionally. In which I get high quality. But in my poetry some lines will go in high tone and some lines will go in emotional low tone. Suggest me a good mic, headphone and audio interface.
Hi there. That sounds like a great thing you’re doing!
Audio can get very expensive and there are so many categories of expense. To allow me to help you further, please let me know your budget and I’ll try to recommend some products that fit in.
@@TheRecordist My budget is $300 . My room is not sound proof. And I'm fully beginner. I have saved money very hard, tell me such a microphone and audio interface that I will not regret after buying.
@@civilfieldengineer sorry. I should have asked you, which country are you located in?
@@TheRecordist sir I'm from India , but now in Nepal country
@@civilfieldengineer ok.
Here’s my suggestions:
Not treated space means you should go for a dynamic mic. A low cost but really good dynamic mic is a Shure SM58-but one that comes with a cable. I think the kit is called Shure SM58-CN or something. A Shure SM57 is also a good mic but you’ll definitely need a pop screen due to plosives from your mouth. Actually, it’s not a bad idea to have a pop screen anyway.
As for interface, the Audient Evo ones are fabulous for the money. The Evo 4 is great.
For headphones, if you want a really good set that’ll last you years and be great for other stuff as well, I recommend the Sony MDR-7506. They’re not cheap but certainly not expensive.
Now, I could have suggested a USB mic but I’ve never found any that I think are that great. But if you chose that route, the Røde Podcaster USB is somewhat ok and this would remove your need of an interface, but I don’t recommend it.
You’ll also need recording software. Twisted Wave is popular for single track applications, but it’s $100. Audacity is free. So is garage band if you have a Mac.
I hope this helps you in some way!
Can you please recommend me a small diaphragm condenser mic within 500-800$ ?
Sure. What will you be using it for? This will help me guide you better.
@@TheRecordist Indoor talking head on a boom. Maybe Audio-Technica AT 4053B ?
@@yogggoogle3965 oh yes. That’s a fantastic mic. You’ll love it. For far less, a lot of people like the Oktava MK-012. It’s very low end heavy but it’s been used a lot. But the DO have quality control issues.
But if you can afford a 4053b then you’ll be set. Fully recommend.
@@TheRecordist Thanks a lot for the quick response! Take a like and have a great weekend!
@@yogggoogle3965 no worries. You too!
Hal 9000? 😂😂😂 Dude, seriously!
Hahaha. Yep!
I have only one mic that sounds equally bad on every track for years))
Well time for a new mic! Haha. Which mic do you have?
@@TheRecordist I have a T.Bone)
@@the_newvoice I think you mean the Thomann T.Bone. Is this correct? If so, they’re rather cheap. Cheap mics always sound… well… cheap. Haha. No matter what they say, if it’s a $50 mic, it’ll sound like a $50 mic.
Mics begin to sound good at around $500 if you ask me. But depending on what you’re trying to accomplish and who you’re using it on, you can get away with cheaper. Like the Røde NT1.
@@TheRecordist Yes. It's cheap. And it's sounds like that. You're right. Thanks.
@@the_newvoice no prob! If you want suggestions, hit me up! Good luck!