Featured Products

What Is a Condenser Microphone?

Posted on Wednesday 26th May 2021

When it comes to recording audio, there are two types of microphones you can choose from—dynamic microphones and condenser microphones. Of course, both have their pros and cons. However, in most instances, if it’s the professional, clean sound you’re looking for, a condenser microphone should be your first choice. That’s because condenser mics are excellent at picking up detailed sound in environments where audio can be tightly controlled (a studio, for example). On the other hand, dynamic microphones are often used in live settings where volume levels might be higher.

What Is a Condenser Microphone?

So, what is a condenser microphone? Condenser microphones are so-called because of the “capacitor” inside. This is the main operational component of condenser mics, and its primary purpose is to convert acoustic energy into an electrical signal. Just so you know, they’re called condensers because condenser is an old word for capacitor.

How Does a Condenser Microphone Work?

A condenser microphone is simply a specialized capacitor. So we’re on the same page, capacitors are an electrical component designed to store energy in an electric field temporarily.  They work by using two plates placed close together. The closer the plates are to each other, the higher the ability of the plates to store an electrical charge (capacitance). The capacitor is housed in a casing called a microphone capsule, and it can be seen when you remove the microphone grille. In condenser microphones, one of the plates is made of an extremely light and thin material (usually gold-sputtered Mylar) that acts as the diaphragm. The other is made of solid brass and is called the backplate. When struck by sound waves, the diaphragm vibrates, changing the distance between the two plates according to the rhythm of the signal. When this happens, the capacitance changes. This fluctuation in capacitance creates an electrical representation of the acoustic energy from the input source. Condenser mics use phantom power from external power supplies (usually 48V sent from the preamp). Because of this, you won’t need as much gain at the preamp to get the signal to a usable level. The easiest way to understand condenser microphones is to picture them as magnifying glasses for sound. They pick up the minutest sound signals and reproduce a crisp, clean, clear sound output.

Common Types of Condenser Microphones

When you dive deeper into condenser microphones, you’ll discover that there are two main types—large diaphragm and small diaphragm condensers.

Large-Diaphragm Condensers

Large-diaphragm condensers are the ones you usually see in a studio setup. They’re so-called because they employ a diaphragm—over an inch in length. Because of their size, they’re usually mounted in a stationary position and are usually used from a side-facing position. Condenser mics with large diaphragms are often used to pick up the richness and fullness of low-end sounds. Other advantages of large diaphragm mics include:
  • Lower self-noise. Air particles hitting a small diaphragm create higher pressure than when hitting a larger surface. As a result, small diaphragms produce more self-noise, while large diaphragms produce relatively little or no self-noise.
  • Low-frequency response. Because of its better sensitivity, a large-diaphragm microphone is better at capturing low-frequency audio signals.
Large-diaphragm condenser mics are best suited for (among other use cases) recording vocals, voice, and solo instruments. This is because they tend to make output sounds appear rich and vibrant.

Small Diaphragm Condenser

Small diaphragm condensers are sometimes referred to as pencil mics. This is because of the small thin design. The diaphragms on this type of condenser mic are usually less than an inch in length, and the diaphragm is configured in a front-facing position. Because of this, the audio source must be directed toward the top part of the mic. Small diaphragm mics are excellent for picking up transients. They’re also great at picking up high-end sounds. Some significant advantages of small-diaphragm mics include:
  • Exceptional transient response. This means the small diaphragm can follow the sound waves more accurately.
  • Extended high-frequency response. Small diaphragm mics can pick up high sound, even beyond human hearing.
  • Consistent pickup pattern. Small diaphragm mics can accurately pick up sounds in the direction they’re pointed at.
If you’re looking for a more “natural” sound, a small diaphragm condenser mic would be your best bet. Examples of best use cases include recording acoustic instruments.

Need a Condenser Microphone?

If you’re on the hunt for a condenser microphone, make sure to browse our inventory of condenser mics and pick the one best suited to your needs. Alternatively, give us a call at 855-573-6683, and we’d be more than happy to advise on which condenser microphone is best for you.

Read more of our blogs

FILTER BY

Category

Most Popular in 2021
Air Conditioner Unit » Remote Controls
Audio System » Remote Controls
Audio/Video Receiver » Remote Controls
Blu-Ray & Home Theater System » Remote Controls
Blu-Ray DVD Player » Remote Controls
Cable Box » Remote Controls
Car Audio System » Remote Controls
CD Player » Remote Controls
Ceiling Fan » Remote Controls
Digital TV Tuner Converter Box » Remote Controls
DVD Player » Remote Controls
DVD Recorder (DVDR) » Remote Controls
DVD/VCR Combo Player » Remote Controls
Game Console » Remote Controls
Garage Door Opener » Remote Controls
Home Theater System » Remote Controls
Jukebox » Remote Controls
Monitor » Remote Controls
PC Media Center System » Remote Controls
Projector » Remote Controls
Remote Controls
Satellite Receiver » Remote Controls
Security System » Remote Controls
Sound Bar System » Remote Controls
Streaming Media Player » Remote Controls
TV » Remote Controls
TV/DVD Combo » Remote Controls
TV/VCR Combo » Remote Controls
VCR » Remote Controls
Video Camera » Remote Controls
Wireless HD Video/Audio converter » Remote Controls
1-Device Universals
2-Device Universals
3-Device Universals
Audio and Video Cable » 3.5mm Cables
TV » 3D Glasses
4-Device Universals
5-Device Universals
Advanced Universals
Audio/Video Receiver » Antennas
TV » Base Assemblies
Batteries
Projector » Bulbs
Ceiling Fan » Cables
Audio/Video Receiver » Condenser Microphones
Audio and Video Cable » Display Port Cables
TV » Gender Cables
Audio and Video Cable » HDMI Cables
TV » IR Blasters
Infra-Red IR Testers
Projector » Lamp Assemblies
TV » One Connects
TV » One Connect Cables
TV » One Connect Jackpacks
Operating Manuals
Audio and Video Cable » Optical Cables
Parts
Audio and Video Cable » Power Cables
Monitor » Power Cables
Audio and Video Cable » Power Supplies
Ceiling Fan » Receivers
Ceiling Fan » Remote Control Kits
Ceiling Fan » Remote Control Wall Mount Brackets
Security Cables
Specialty Equipment Lamps
TV » USB Dongles
TV » Universal TV Stands
TV » Universal Wall Mounts
Refrigerator » Water Filters

Brand

3M
Access Master
ADVENT
Airwell
AIWA
AKAI
Allister
All-O-Matic
Allstar
ALPINE
ALTEC LANSING
Amazon
ANDERIC
Anderic Generics
Anewkodi
AOC
APEX
APPLE
AT&T
AUDIOVOX
Avera
AVOL
Belt And Vcr Acc.
BenQ
Bertazzoni
Bogen Communications
Bosch
BOSE
Boston
Briggs and Stratton
BROOKSTONE
Brother
Buderus
CANON
Canon Consumer
Carper
Champion
CHANNEL TOUCH
CLARION
CLASSIC
Coby
Commercial Solutions
COMMERCIAL-COOL
Compaq
Computer Cables
Continu.us
COOPER
COX
Crusader
CURTIS
CURTIS MATHES
Dacor
DAEWOO
Danby
Dell
DeLonghi
Delta 3
DENON
DEXP
DigiCode
Digital Projection
DIGITREX
DirecTv
Dish-Network
Dishpro
Dr Fischer Specialty Lamps
Dynex
Eiko Specialty
Electrolux
Element
E-Machines
EMERSON
EMX
Epson
ESA
ETEC
Fantom
Firefly
FISHER
Fluke
Friedrich
Frigidaire
FUNAI
GAMING PARTS
Gc-thorsen
GE General Electric
Generic
Genie
GFM
GOLDSTAR
GOVIDEO
Haier
Hampton-Bay
HANNSPREE
Harbor-Breeze
Harman-Kardon
HarmonTec
Heddolf
Hewlett-Packard
HILIFE
HISENSE
HITACHI
Holmes
Home Decorators Collection
Hunter
IBM
iFFALCON
iLive
ilo
Include
INSIGNIA
INTEGRA
iSymphony
IVT NORDIC INVERTER
JAPANESE SEMI'S
JBL
JENSEN
JVC
Kalley
Kelon
Kenmore
KENWOOD
Klipsch
KONICA
Konka
Lasko
La-Z-Boy
LG
Liftmaster
Linear
LINKSYS
Magnavox
Marantec
MARANTZ
MegaCode
Miracle Remote
MISCELLANEOUS
MITSUBISHI
Motorola
Mr-Bracket
Multicode
Multi-Elmac
Multilink
Nady
Norelco
NOVAPLEX
NTE ELECTRONICS
OBCH
oCOSMO
OFFICE SUPPLIES
Olevia
Olympus
ONKYO
ONN
OPTIMA
Optoma
Osram
Osram Neolux Bulbs
Panasonic
pelican
PHILCO
PHILIPS
Philips-Magnavox
Philmore
PIONEER
Polaroid
polkaudio
Premium Imaging
PRIMA
PRISM
Proscan
PROVIEW
Quasar
RCA
RCX
Regency
rocketfish
ROKU
ROSSO
Sams PhotoFact
SAMSUNG
SANYO
Sceptre
SEARS
SEIKI
SFS
SHARP
SIRIUS
Skylink
SONY
Speco Technologies
Stanley
Stinger
Supco
SV2000
SVA
SYLVANIA
Tandy
TASCAM
TCL
TDK
Technicolor
TECHNICS
TEMPUR-PEDIC
Test Parts
Thermia
TOSHIBA
Toshiba Computer
USARMT
Ushio
Vance
VERIZON
Victor
Viewsonic
VIORE
Vivitek
VIZIO
WALLHUGGER
WD-Western-Digital
Welch Allyn
WELTON
Westinghouse
Whirlpool
xfinity
YAMAHA
ZENITH
Zvox

Category: Most Popular in 2021
Brands: ALL

FREE SHIPPING ON ORDERS $50+ (USA)!

Search for parts and accessories

 
logo_m