What's the difference between condenser and dynamic mics? Pros and Cons? Decent brands in each category?
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Condenser vs Dynamic Microphones
- Thread starter jackajesusfreak
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bongomania
Commercial User
Condenser mics require phantom power, dynamic mics do not. Condenser mics are generally thought of as being more high-fidelity and having a wider frequency range, while dynamics are generally thought of as more rugged and foolproof. There are certainly exceptions to those generalizations though.
There are loads of good brands in both types, too many to bother listing. For dynamics, I happen to like Shure and Audix. For condenser, I have had good results from Crown and AKG. But again those are just a few among many great options. Probably easier to list the brands or models not worth considering!
There are loads of good brands in both types, too many to bother listing. For dynamics, I happen to like Shure and Audix. For condenser, I have had good results from Crown and AKG. But again those are just a few among many great options. Probably easier to list the brands or models not worth considering!
The biggest disadvantage of condensers is that many of them have wider patterns than their dynamic counterparts. Live, this can be a big problem, especially when it comes to vocal mics, as they pick up so much of what's on stage that it's impossible to get the vocals up over the band.
seeing as how this is in live sound, i assume you mean for live use. the only time ive ever seen condensers used live is drum overheads and occasionally guitar amps.
dynamics are just plain tougher, simpler and easier to work with, despite being lower bandwidth.
a lot of good condensers will easily go 20-20k, and this can be good and bad. but we have dynamics voiced FOR things most of the time. theres no kick mic voiced condenser. a u47 sure sounds good there, but it wasnt intended.
i have seen condensers used for lead vocals in high budget concert DVD's. the type that were MADE to respond like a dynamic mic, shaped as such, and built for live use. nuemann, blue, etc.
however.. sometimes its just easiest to hand them some variation of a 58 and let them swing it about.
if you were to tell us what exact purposes, we might be able to compile a list of mics to look at for each source.
dynamics are just plain tougher, simpler and easier to work with, despite being lower bandwidth.
a lot of good condensers will easily go 20-20k, and this can be good and bad. but we have dynamics voiced FOR things most of the time. theres no kick mic voiced condenser. a u47 sure sounds good there, but it wasnt intended.
i have seen condensers used for lead vocals in high budget concert DVD's. the type that were MADE to respond like a dynamic mic, shaped as such, and built for live use. nuemann, blue, etc.
however.. sometimes its just easiest to hand them some variation of a 58 and let them swing it about.
if you were to tell us what exact purposes, we might be able to compile a list of mics to look at for each source.
