Factors that Affect Sound Quality
With the boom of social media, podcasting, and online content production, sound quality is highly important. Annoying background noise, poor quality…
When it comes to perfecting your streaming or gaming setup, a microphone is typically the prize of your collection. But finding the perfect mic is no easy feat. While general microphone prices often reflect the audio quality you’ll get, there are a few more interesting factors to consider before making a final purchase.
How to Choose a Microphone
Today, your AV Systems pros will help you figure out how to choose a microphone that works great for your own AV system, gaming setup, recording studio, and more. Visit our online inventory to browse additional accessories and helpful tools to amplify your microphone usage even further.
Basic Microphone Specs
With a basic understanding of microphone specs and measurements, it can be easier to choose the right microphone that works for you. Here is a breakdown of some microphone specs you can familiarize yourself with:
Frequency Response
The frequency response of a microphone tells you how wide of a frequency range your mic will have. Frequencies are measured in hertz, with an average response rate of a mic measuring between 80 and 15 kHz.
Polar Patterns
Every microphone comes with its own field of sensitivity, known as a polar pattern. Bi-directional microphones pick up sounds from the left and right while filtering out sounds from other places. Omnidirectional microphones, on the other hand, will pick up on sound coming from all different directions.
The most common type of polar pattern you’ll find in an array of mics is the unidirectional mic, which takes in the sound in front of it and excludes the rest. Which type of polar pattern makes the most sense for your setup?
Proximity Effect
This is less a spec and more of a feature that mics come with in different ways. The proximity effect occurs when certain bass frequencies are louder and more prominent the closer they get to the microphone itself. This can be used to your advantage if you are a musician looking to utilize the different sounds made by the microphone. It’s important to know how much or how little proximity effect you will get out of the mic you choose.
What Types of Microphones Are Available?
The type of microphone you get can greatly determine the outcome of your recording quality. Generally, microphones are either dynamic or condenser microphones. But which is which, and what type of microphone works best for you?
Dynamic Mics
A dynamic mic has high SPL capabilities and uses inductive coils to expand its diaphragm. These microphones are great for live events and concerts, and while they are sometimes used for recording, Dynamic microphones can be wired or wireless, and some are made for specific instruments - such as percussion.
Condenser Mics
A condenser mic uses a thin conductive diaphragm attached to a metal plate, changing distances between the voice vibrations and the output. This creates an electronic signal that is easier to capture with recording devices. Most of the time, those interested in recording or live streaming will often choose a condenser mic.
Don’t Forget Your Microphone Accessories!
You don’t have to rely on the specs alone to make the best of your microphone. You can optimize its features and performance by attaching certain accessories such as the mic input amplifier to take your sound capabilities to the next level.
All of these specs and types can seem overwhelming, but you don’t need to shop for the next best mic on your own. Get in touch with us today at Kanex Pro and we will help you get set up with the right microphone to suit your needs. No matter how much or how little you already know about recording, it’s easy to learn more when you speak with us ASAP!
