This type of microphone is used mainly for louder sound sources, and is much more robust than other options. Because of this, it is often used for live vocal performances.They mostly have a very low pickup range, and a frequency response which tails off above 10kHz, but has a fairly flat pickup in the mid frequency range.Thus, as a general rule, any loud (high Sound Pressure Level) and/or electronic instruments, where lower frequencies and 'punchiness' are required, but higher frequencies and nuances are less important, close-mic using these types of microphone are the best option.Dynamic microphones generate their own signal, and do not need current running into them to record.
Caption: : A diagram showing the mechanism of a dynamic microphone
Slide 5
Condenser Microphone
These types of mic are typically used for quieter instruments, as they are more easily damaged than their dynamic counterparts. They have a much better frequency response to the higher end, and so are well suited to recording 'room noise' by being placed at a distance from an instrument, or acoustic instruments such as guitar or piano, which rely heavily on their high-frequency character being preserved in recording.Unlike dynamic microphones, condensers work on a different principal and so require current to be run into them for use, a term called 'phantom power'.
Caption: : The inner workings of a condenser microphone. Note that the battery is not present in all models, and is only a possible alternate method of providing the phantom power
Caption: : A typical close-mic setup for a guitar/bass amp
To record an electric guitar, a dynamic microphone is typically used, close-mic'd in front of the amplifier.This is usually placed at a distance of 3-15cm, and the angle to the speaker cone can be adjusted to modify the resultant tonality of the recording. Point the microphone head-on with the cone for a lower frequency, and at an angle (aimed at the edges of the cone) for a higher frequency, brighter output.
Caption: : A typical vocal condenser mic with pop filter installed in front
Vocals
To record vocal lines in a studio (as opposed to performed live, mentioned earlier), condenser microphones are used for their ability to pick up more nuanced tones and high frequency detail to produce a nice sounding, high-fidelity recording.A typical vocal setup places the performer standing roughly 15cm from microphone, varying their distance according to the volume at which they are singing, and with an optional (but useful) 'pop filter' between singer and microphone.
Caption: : A diagram showing some potential positions of microphones on a drum kit, key here are positions 1 and 2 for overhead microphones
Drum Kit (Overheads)
Though there are numerous potential microphone positions and configurations to capture a full drum kit, a staple part of the final sound is always the overhead microphone or mic pair.This is usually a pair of the same model of condenser microphone, placed metre or so above the kit, and either centred and aimed together, or placed at each side and pointing downwards. It is this choice of the engineer which setup to use.
Caption: : A dynamic mic placed just inside the sound hole of a bass drum
Drum Kit (Bass/Kick Drum)
For a typical recording, it is only necessary to use one microphone to capture a bass drum properly. For drums with sound holes, a specialised, wide-diaphragm dynamic mic is well suited to this task, placed just inside the sound hole.For those without, instead place the microphone in front of the drum, at the point where the air wave stops, typically 10-15cm. One can feel this air wave using a hand while the drum is used.
Slide 10
Drum Kit (Snare)
For a higher budget recording, it is normal to mic the snare of a kit in addition to the room noise and kick drum. This adds punch and tonality to the snare sound.Though it is possible to mic both the top and bottom of the snare, the first part to mic is the top, using a dynamic mic. Place the microphone at, or slightly in front of or behind the rim of the snare, and aim it towards the centre of the top skin.
Caption: : Standard mic setup to record guitar, ~15cm distance aimed at 12th fret
Being an acoustic instrument with a lot of high frequencies, a condenser microphone is usually used to record guitar.Whilst there are different microphone positions which musicians use to give different tones from a guitar recording, the simplest, most balanced, and most common setup is to place the microphone at a distance of roughly 15-20cm, pointing at the part of the guitar where the neck meets the body, which is usually the 12th fret or similar.
Caption: : An upright piano with its lid open and microphones aimed into its sound hole
Another acoustic instrument, and a wide one, an upright piano usually requires two or sometimes three condenser, 'pencil' mics to record properly.Open the lid of the piano, and place the pair of microphones spaced apart and pointing down towards the strings. It is an option to tilt the microphones slightly if desired.
