Introduction to Vocal Microphones

A Basic overview of all the different types of microphones.

Lesson Aims
To gain a basic understanding of the various types of microphone used for vocal in different situations To understand the basics of how they function

Microphones can be used on all sorts of instruments, ranging from drums to guitars to piano and most obviously vocals.

It is important to have an understanding of the best mics to use for each situation and why.

Today we will look at the most common mics used for vocals.

Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones are hugely popular and regarded as industry standard for live performance. They are largely resistant to water, very durable and relatively inexpensive.

Dynamic microphones can take very high gain before feedback

They incorporate moving coils, working in much the same way as a loudspeaker, just reversed. There is a small movable induction coil in the magnetic field of a permanent magnet, which is attached to the diaphragm. When sound enters through the microphone the sound wave moves the diaphragm, which them moves the coil in the magnetic field, producing a varying current.

The Classic Dynamic

What is the classic dynamic microphone?

Shure SM58 Dynamic Cardioid

It has a highly effective built in spherical Filter to reduce wind and breath pop Noise. There are various alternatives to this on the market, but, at less than 100 you cant really go wrong with an SM58With a bigger Budget, check out the Shure Beta 58A.

The Other Shure

Another renowned Shure microphone is the SM57.

The SM57 is the same type of microphone as the 58, however it has a more highly effective cardioid pickup pattern than the 58. This means it is better at isolating the Signal that is dead in front of it and filtering out any outside noise.

This means it is generally favoured from drum and instrumental miking, however, some vocalists like the 57 for its bright, clean sound.

SM57

Dynamic microphones do not normally have a flat response, the frequencies will be tailored to a particular sound, this is why the 58 and 57 can sound so different even though they are the same type of microphone.

Whilst the 57 has a bright sound and a lower overall frequency response, the 58 has Brightened mid range and a bass roll off.

Condenser Microphones
Condenser microphones span the range from telephone transmitters through inexpensive karaoke microphones to high-fidelity recording microphones. They generally produce a high-quality audio signal and are now the popular choice in laboratory and recording studio applications.

Condenser mics require phantom power to work. The resulting signal is much Stronger than that of a dynamic.

Condenser mics tend to be much more sensitive and responsive than dynamics, making them better suited to picking up subtle nuances in a sound.

A Samson condenser microphone.

Condenser mics have a much flatter Frequency response than dynamics

Ribbon Microphones
Ribbon mics detect sound in a figure of eight pattern Meaning it picks up signal front and back. For this reason they are not as suitable for studio use, However, they were popular back when multi track Recordings were not feasible, backing vocalists would Stand around one of these to save tracks.

They are very sensitive and always require a pop shield to protect the ribbon and are often seen in cradles. They also have a very low frequency response. Ribbon mics use a thin, usually corrugated metal ribbon suspended in a magnetic field. The ribbon is electrically connected to the microphone's output, and its vibration within the magnetic field generates the electrical signal.

Polar Patterns
To understand how each of these microphones works differently we will look at some diagrams of polar patterns. These are the patterns in which a microphone picks up sound.

The common types are;

Cardioid Hyper cardioid

Omni-directional Figure of Eight

Omni-directional

Cardioid

Hyper Cardioid

Figure of Eight

Pop Shields
Used to protect the diaphragm of the Microphone.

Helps to keep sibilance down on recordings.

Helps to keep the vocalist a consistent distance from the mic.

What mic might you use and where would you mic up this instrument?

What mic might you use and where would you mic up this amp?

What mic might you use and where would you mic up this instrument?

What mic might you use and where would you mic up this instrument?

All slides 2011 Dave Evans Music Unless otherwise stated