Microphones 101: All You Need To Know

Take a quick look at the nearest music store, what do you see? Thousands and thousands of microphones in all shapes and sizes present around. But do you need that many microphones for a simple recording session? Of course not.

things you need to know beforehand and keep in mind such as the different types of microphone, whether you need a microphone isolation shield or should you get a lavalier microphone or not.
If you want to learn more about these functioning gadgets, then continue reading all about them!

Types of Microphone

When it comes to the type of microphones, there are two types that you will come across frequently; Condenser microphone and Dynamic microphone. These types are what most musicians, hobbyists and recording engineers rely on and you can deduce the reason behind this by reading about their functioning below.

• Dynamic Microphone

Dynamic mics are what you see more commonly on stages where the sound is directly aimed at the front of the microphone. These mics have the ability to handle loud sounds since they are not very sensitive to volume and also damage, in general. Dynamic mics are also robust in construction as compared to condenser mics but due to their less sensitive nature, they do not pick up as much detail as condenser.
These kinds are ideal for loud instruments such as an electric guitar and are not built for use in studio recordings. However, if you want to get a “live sound” feel with your instruments a few feet away, then dynamic microphones are the one for you.

• Condenser Microphone

Condenser mics are the mics you usually find in recording studios, podcasts and even on stages for debates and concerts. They are immensely popular in the microphone industry due to their sensitivity to sound and no loss in detail. Condenser microphones have the ability to pick up even the tiniest of nuances and this is why they are preferred in studios with a tightly controlled environment. Since the sound is aimed on the sides of these microphones, you will see some of them hanging upside down and pointing to the ceiling. As long as condenser mics are aimed at the sound source, it doesn’t matter where you place them or how; this ease of placement makes them more common in usage than dynamic microphones.

• Crystal Microphones

Crystal microphones are also known as ceramic microphones and they are low cost units that provide you with an excellent output voltage. Due to this output, the amplifier comes with a high input impedance as well. However, these microphones now lie at the lower end of the microphone market and the reason behind this is that they do not have a wide frequency response. Crystal microphones are prone to noise and are only suited for use in the studio.

How To Buy The Best Microphone For Youtube?

When you are planning on buying the best microphone for Youtube you need to keep a few features in mind. Apart from knowing about the different types that are mentioned above, you also need to know about the frequency response, microphone isolation shield, directionality, response flatness etc. So continue reading and learn how to shop for the best microphone and make an informed decision.

• Directionality

Directionality refers to the sensitivity of sound in a particular angle or direction and there are different patterns available. The three basic patterns today include bidirectional, omnidirectional and unidirectional patterns. Omnidirectional mics are more sensitive to sound arriving from all angles; they do not need to be pointed in a single direction to capture the sound source.

On the other hand, bidirectional mics also provide natural and open sound but their pickup angle is only at ninety degrees at the front and back of the mic. Unidirectional mics are the most sensitive from the front angle and are less sensitive to the other directions. When choosing the directionality, you need to make sure which direction the mic will be used in and then choose accordingly.

• Impedance

When shopping for the best mini microphone, you also need to keep in mind the impedance. The rule of thumb is that low impedance is way better than opting for high impedance. Make sure that whichever microphone you opt for must not have very high impedance because this will distort the sound and make it unappealing to your ears.

• Frequency Response

Since sound waves tend to get carried through the air, microphones have to capture this sound in order to record it. In order to get natural audio, a mic has to have the ability to capture the highest and lowest pitch of sound and this is known as frequency response. Most microphone manufacturers provide you with a frequency response chart so that you can see the sensitivity of the mic and whether it is designed for you or not. The rule to follow is that if the frequency response is around 100 Hz to 8 KHz then the mic will be able to provide you with a natural-surrounding recording.

• Should You Get A Microphone Isolation Shield?

A microphone isolation shield is a filter that helps in reducing ambiance and unwanted noise. This product helps in improving the overall sound quality of your recordings since it isolates the microphone from the environment around it. If you are not recording in a studio and tend to make traveling and other kinds of vlogs, then a microphone isolation shield will be perfect for you.

What Is A Lavalier Microphone?

A lavalier mic is a very small condenser mic that can get clipped into a lapel and remains within a close proximity to your mouth. This is also known as a tie-clip mic and since they are not visibly obtrusive, they are an excellent choice for interviews and TV presenters. However, lavalier microphones have a wire attached and they are not Bluetooth enabled. With these mics you will have to carry equipment with you and since they are not wireless, they are not entirely convenient to use all the time and this is when iMic comes in.

What is an iMic?

So the question arises, what exactly is an iMic? iMic is a microphone that is portable and extremely handy to use. It has features such as noise cancellation abilities and crystal clear audio. With the integration of DSP dual chips and A2M, distortion is effectively reduced. This microphone has an omni mic capsule and twin cardioid present inside and this helps in capturing clear audio while reducing unwanted pick-up from the environment.
That’s not all! This microphone provides you with portability not only with the size but also with a premium-quality zip carrying case. You can rely on excellent performance through the 3.5mm audio output integrated in this product and the set-up with PALOVUE Application present on App store. Since it has compatibility with Apple MFi, it provides a certified and direct connection to your iPhones, iPods and iPads without the use of any additional connection kits.

With total control using Palovue Application, iMic offers complete customization without needing any additional adapters or connection kits.  The best part about this mini microphone is the five preset modes you can choose from to match and find your recording needs. These modes include: Speech, Singing, Flat, Acoustic and Loud.

Each mode has a specific function for example:

• Loud mode is designed to record louder sources of music and bands.
• Acoustic mode is suitable for quiet music instruments and acoustic instruments as well.
• Flat preset mode is ideal for many applications and allows flexibility and adjusting depending on the audio you are looking for.
• Singing mode is perfect for capturing solo vocal performances and adds clarity to your sound.
• Speech mode is for podcasts, hosting, voiceovers, interviews, traveling vlogs, YouTubers and even for TikTok users.

Enjoy all these excellent features at the most budget price point in the market and the MFi compatibility ensures a stable and safe connection. You can carry it around with your iPhone and so when you meet someone interesting enough to vlog or podcast about, simply take your iMic out, attach it to your phone and voila! Get crystal clear recording and excellent performance in the palm of your hands and the 24 month warranty provides you with the peace of mind you are looking for.

Conclusion:
Microphones can be a very confusing device for someone new in the music, podcast or tech industry. However, with the information present above, you can now easily shop for them. If you are looking for a mini microphone and want a pristine signal, top-flight mic designed for excellent performance, then iMic is the one for you.

Please click for more information: Product page & Buy, Review Videos, FAQs