How to Choose the Best Microphone for Home Studio

When it comes to buying a microphone, it can be very difficult to choose the best microphone for your voice. Whether you sing or speak, each voice is different. Some voices are higher pitched, for example, women’s voice, and others lower, such as a male voice.

As I cannot give an exact answer to the question about which best home studio mic you should get, I can try to help you and simplify it with the tools necessary to shorten your search. Let us start by explaining what a condenser microphone is.

Condenser Microphone:

Usually, in order to get the best results in a studio environment, a studio condenser microphone is used. It has a capacitor that converts acoustic energy into electrical energy. Condenser microphones require power from an external battery or source, typically called “phantom power”, e.g. given from an audio interface, a mixer or a microphone preamplifier. The result is a stronger sound signal than a dynamic microphone.

WHAT DO YOU KNOW WHEN YOU CHOOSE A MICROPHONE?

To find out which microphone is best for your voice, you must first look at the frequency response.

Diaphragm Sizes:

Some microphones have a large diaphragm to record lower frequencies, perfect for lower male vocals and bass instruments.
Other microphones have a small diaphragm for higher tones. They are ideal for female vocals, acoustic guitars, violins, and cymbals. These small membrane microphones are useful to record main sounds in orchestras and percussions.

Here is a general estimate of the fundamental frequencies of the human voices measured in hertz (or cps, cycles per second, the frequency at which the sound vibration occurs per each second of time).

• The average male voice is usually between 110 and 130 hertz.
• The average female voice is usually between 200 and 220 hertz.
• The average voice of a child is usually between 300 and 400 hertz.
• The higher the vibration per second, the greater the tone.

Directionality:

Another thing to think about is the pickup direction. What kind of polar pattern do you need? If you only record voice, the desired orientation image must be sharp and you will need a cardioid or hyper-cardioid condenser microphone. This type of microphone is designed to absorb room noise and record only contact noise. If you intend to adopt more complex recording technique such as MS recording technique, you should consider a Figure 8 condenser microphone. Some microphones in the market comes with a dedicated switch selector that allows you to select the desired polar pattern to be used, such microphones are referred to as: multi-pattern condenser microphones.

Shock Absorber:

A shock absorber is an accessory from which the microphone hangs instead of rubber bands. This item isolates the microphone from external noises and foot noise. The shock absorber mount absorbs all unwanted sound and keeps your recordings clear.

Pop Filter:

Everyone should have a pop filter. The pop filter is a screen that reduces the influence of mouth air during recording. Most words that begin with the letters “P” or “B” tend to emit lint. Keep your hand close to your face and say the word “pop”! Now do it again and say the word “bite”! Did you feel this blow of air? A pop-up screen reduces the puff before it hits the microphone.

CONCLUSION:

If you are looking for the best microphone for your voice, consider all these tips to limit your search.