Microphone Types
Condenser, dynamic and ribbon microphones transduce sound differently. Choose by source and sound pressure.
Related
The problem
Condenser, dynamic and ribbon are not grades of quality but three ways of turning sound pressure into voltage. Pick the wrong type and no placement can repair it. First decide how loud the source is and how much detail you need.
Signal chain
A condenser uses a diaphragm and a polarising voltage; it is sensitive and fast, and needs 48 V. A dynamic moves a coil through a magnetic field; it is rugged and tolerates high sound pressure. A ribbon is a thin metal foil, often figure-eight, light and soft on top. Do not apply 48 V to an old ribbon without an isolating transformer.
Placement and settings
Place a condenser 15 to 25 cm from a voice, or 20 to 30 cm from a guitar, for detail. Put a dynamic 2 to 5 cm from a drum head or at a speaker grille. Set a ribbon 30 cm away with a wind screen, away from direct blasts of air.
What to listen for
Rotate the three types on one source and listen for high-frequency detail, low-end weight and transient edge. A condenser exposes sibilance, a dynamic firms up the midrange, and a ribbon tames the top.
Common misconceptions
- Condensers are always better → at high pressure up close, a dynamic is more stable.
- Dynamics are only for drums → they also suit voices and guitar amps.
- Ribbons can never take 48 V → modern isolated models can; check an old one first.
Listen in the library
All tracks from midicn-lib — inline badge is the license tier (C1 commercial / C2 non-commercial / C3 study only).
Sources
- Eargle, The Microphone Book, 3rd ed., transducer and directivity chapters
- Olson, Acoustical Engineering, pressure and pressure-gradient microphone theory
Used for fact-checking only; all prose is original.