Author: Microphone Is the universal name for a range of recording devices with different functions. How to choose a microphone? First you need to decide what you need it for - it depends on which parameters of the equipment you should pay attention to when buying first. Microphones are intended for:
👑Popular microphones👑
Read also: Types and types of microphones
How to choose a microphone for your computer?
Not all computers are equipped with a built-in microphone, but such a device may be needed for video communication, voice assistant, streaming, and live broadcasts. Which microphone should you buy? If you need PC headset, without any professional requirements, please note two varieties:
- Desktop microphone with stand. A small instruction: it is placed next to the keyboard, slightly to the side of the mouth, so that the exhaled air does not interfere, the noises from the blows of the fingers on the keys. To prevent extraneous sounds from distracting the listener, the next step is to additionally put on a padding pad on such a microphone, and place the stand itself on a piece of dense fabric. This is the cheapest microphone model. Its main drawback: you have to keep your head in the same position so that the sound volume does not decrease.
- Headphones with a good built-in microphone... We continue to analyze which microphone to choose for a computer. More expensive, but also more versatile model: the microphone does not take up space on the desktop, you do not need to bend over to speak, the headset can be used in parallel for games and streams... Which microphone should you choose? Best of all - headphones with soft pads, so that during prolonged work, the ears do not hurt or get numb. The microphone itself is positioned slightly to the side of the mouth: when it is positioned at the level of the nose, it will record too "gundos" sound, and when located below the chin - too quiet.
Now you know how to choose a microphone for your computer.
How to choose a karaoke microphone?
If you are looking for karaoke equipment, first of all decide how often, where exactly you are going to use it. The choice of microphone depends on this. In the case when you sing only occasionally and for yourself, opt for a wireless karaoke microphone:
- Activate the bluetooth receiver on the radio. To put it in BT-AUDIO mode, you need to press the Mode key.
- Low price in the range of 2000-8000 rubles. The more expensive the device is, the higher the quality of the speakers, the richer the possibilities of sound control.
- How to Choose a Wireless Microphone? You need the most simple device - the equipment is connected via Bluetooth to a computer, tablet or smartphone to play a phonogram. Then the microphone itself mixes the soundtrack and your voice, giving out the overall sound through the speakers.
- If you decide to choose a wireless karaoke microphone, keep in mind: low-volume and flat sound is typical for budget models, which, however, does not negate the pleasure of singing.
Read also: Best wireless microphones of this year
What's a good microphone to buy? For lovers of small house parties, karaoke players are best. In fact, these are DVD players with additional karaoke functions: playback of phonograms from various media, recording tracks, setting up microphone sound, counting points for voice performance.
How to choose a karaoke microphone? If you're planning to host crowded karaoke parties or are looking for a bar system, check out our mixing console tips. It is also suitable for those who wish to record vocals at home on their own. Such a device allows you to mix sound from different sources into one and provides the most excellent sound quality. Among the main advantages of mixing consoles are a detailed summary of a musical composition with a voice, changing the tonalities of phonograms, and sound reproduction without delays.
Read also: Rating of the best microphones
Choosing a good interview microphone
If you are using an interview recorder, then it should work great both at home and outdoors. Models do a great job with such functions (small tutorial):
- "Cannons" for DSLRs and mirrorless devices: Rode VideoMic Pro (compatible with most digital devices), Sennheiser MKE 400 (great price, good performance, high-quality body), Rode NTG-2 (classic model often used by TV people).
- Buttonholes - are attached close to the mouth of the interlocutor, which is why everything that he says can be heard clearly even with a quiet pronunciation. How to choose a microphone for recording? Among the common models are Sennheiser ME 2, Rode Smartlav +, Audio-technica 3350AC.
- Handheld devices such as cardioid and hypercardioid, which receive sound only from the source to which they are directed, without recording extraneous noise.
👑Popular Budget Microphones👑
Choosing a microphone for recording vocals
When choosing a microphone for recording vocals, you need to pay attention to two categories - dynamic and condenser. Each of them has its own advantages and disadvantages.
Which microphone to buy for vocals? Condenser models are preferred by professional recording studios - such equipment most accurately conveys the human voice. Within their category, such microphones are divided into:
- tube - warm and soft sound recording;
- transistor - more accurate sound transmission with minimal coloration.
Pros and cons of condenser microphones
- Wide frequency range.
- A richer selection of models. Which microphone should a child buy? If you are looking for microphones for children, for example, you will find many miniature models.
- Provides a more natural, more transparent sound for higher sensitivity.
- Additional power is required, which greatly reduces connectivity. Not all mixing consoles have the necessary phantom power; it is highly likely that it will not work to connect such equipment outside of recording studios.
- Jumps in temperature and / or humidity can lead to short-term inoperability or complete failure of the equipment.
- A very fragile device.
Read also: TOP best inexpensive microphones
What other microphone should I choose for recording? Dynamic varieties are more common among beginners due to the reasonable price. These microphones are also preferred for handling powerful sound in concerts and live performances. Which karaoke microphone to choose? This variety will do.
Pros and cons of dynamic microphones
- The ability to use for recording loud sound without the risk of harming the device.
- Lower sensitivity - extraneous noise is not recorded.
- Robust and durable design - not as fragile when dropped as capacitor ones.
- Universal use - at home, at rehearsals, on stage (if you are wondering which is the best microphone for karaoke).
- Lower width of the frequency range.
- Less clear, natural and transparent sound.
- Not always correct tone transmission.
But which microphone should you choose? Thus, dynamic the headset is more reliable and relatively affordable.Considering the criteria for choosing a microphone, it is suitable for recording dense, powerful, loud vocals without surround sound - suitable for musicians playing in the styles of "punk", "alternative", "rock". Condenser the headset is more sensitive, makes a very believable recording. It is more versatile - it removes sound from any voice and musical instrument.
How to choose a microphone for streaming and live broadcasting?
How to choose a microphone for your home? If you need a device purely for streaming, you have two options:
- purchase of a separate microphone and headphones separately;
- purchase of a headset with a microphone built into the headphones.
Which microphone to buy for streaming? The latter option is more practical: there is no need to pay attention to the defects of the recording rooms, since the reverberations simply will not get to the microphone. The headset is also distinguished by its great practicality - with it you can turn your head without worrying about the deterioration of sound quality.
Read also: How to connect a microphone to a PC?
What's the best streaming microphone for your computer? It makes sense to buy a separate microphone and headphones separately if you are purchasing condenser equipment - it provides better sound recording. Note, however, that when you turn your head, the sound will decrease.
Which microphone to buy for your home? If you buy a microphone for video conferencing, then you can give your preference to budget models: the main thing is that the speech is legible, so that you can be heard well. The cost of such equipment starts at 500 rubles.
Choosing a good podcast microphone
Which microphone to buy for podcast recording? Recommendations from podcasters:
- Audio-Technica... Dynamic type equipment, known for an excellent combination of price and quality. But such devices have a rather low sensitivity - it is better to record a voice being near the device.
- Blue yeti... If you're wondering which microphone to buy for voice recording. The more expensive device is already a condenser microphone with excellent sensitivity.
- Shure beta 87A... A small condensing unit that can be easily taken on trips. In addition to its practicality, it features good sound quality without background noise and reverberation.
👑Popular PC Gaming Microphones👑
Deciding on the choice of a microphone for games
Which microphone should you buy for your computer? The choice of gaming microphones is limited to three types - a small guide:
- Separate desktop. Also suitable for streamers and reviewers. Both voice and sound from speakers are well recorded. An excellent choice for those who play in loud mode and don't want to lose touch with their playmates. The microphone provides freedom of movement, practically does not record background noises.
- Buttonholes. The microphone is mounted close to the player's mouth for good voice recording. Moreover, most often these are models with a unidirectional catcher that do not write extraneous noise. But this is where the minus lies - the sound from the speakers can also go illegible. Moreover, the noise from the player's movements, his clothes will affect the sound quality - the suppression system can only partially cope with it.
- Headsets-headphones. Which microphone to buy for gaming? The most favorite model for gamers. There are only two downsides - during long battles, the head gets very tired, and in order to record sound from the speakers, you need to determine the maximum volume. But this equipment has much more advantages: it can be used in a crowded place, the microphone is isolated from the cable, does not record noise from clothes, and the location of the microphone can be easily changed for each user.
Read also: How do I set up a microphone on my computer?
How to choose a microphone for video recording and camera
If you want to choose a microphone for your camera, then you can choose the variety that best suits your needs:
- Buttonhole - mostly omnidirectional equipment working in conjunction with a smartphone, camera, SLR camera. Before recording sound, be sure to check that the device has new working batteries. To prevent sound degradation, the speaker should not touch either the cable or the microphone itself. Correctly installed windshield protects from interference.
- Radio microphone - the same buttonhole, but with a transmitter, which is attached to the belt of the announcer. The receiver is installed in a hot shoe. Keep the distance between the receiver and the transmitter as close as possible to keep sound from dropping. Wireless microphone - which one to choose? The classic answer is the radio model.
- "A gun" - got such an unusual name because of the interference tube, which has some resemblance to a shotgun. It is she who helps to capture sound only from the front, deflecting noise on the sides. Please note that it is not recommended to place the "gun" on a hard surface so that it does not record background noise. Such a microphone is very sensitive to the sound of the wind, so do not move it quickly - it is best to additionally purchase a windscreen.
- On-camera microphones in a hot shoe... The device is mounted on the top of the camera and runs on standard AA batteries. Which microphone to buy for video recording? This model is the most popular among professional videographers.
A handheld microphone is the most common type of video recording equipment. It is important that the equipment is fitted with a built-in shock absorber to minimize noise. There is a choice between wired and wireless handheld headsets. How Do I Pick a Good Microphone? Omnidirectional models are best at recording.
Read also: How do I connect a microphone to my phone?
