Buying a microphone can be daunting as there are so many models and technical specifications. Distilling the buying process down to a few key considerations based on your intended use case can make it easier for you. The most important features to consider when purchasing a microphone include pickup pattern, frequency response, sensitivity, impedance, wired vs wireless, form factor and accessories, polar pattern testing, and budget.
The cardinal consideration is the polar pattern or pickup pattern.
It tells which direction of sound will be picked by the microphone. Thus, cardioids have an advantage over omnidirectional microphones if you are cardioid using the microphone in noisy environments. Microphone frequency response is the range of frequencies that the microphone responds to measured in Hz.
Sensitivity refers to the volume a microphone can pick up accurately before distorting sound. The higher the sensitivity rating a mic has, the quieter sounds it will record, but too high sensitivity might also pick up undesired background noise. Match its sharpness with the expected volumes you’ll register for optimal clarity.
Impedance or resistance is how much the microphone opposes electrical current flow. Low-impedance microphones have 150-1200 ohms, while high-impedance ones exceed 5000 ohms. The low-impedance microphones are better suited for consumer electronics since they’re compatible with longer cables, unlike high-impedance designs, which should be used in studios.
Wired microphones physically connect to a recording device, while wireless mics transmit over radio frequencies to a receiver. Wireless allows more flexibility and movement but may pick up interference. Therefore, consider the ease of transition, the mobility your budget can afford, and the recording environment.
Before making any purchase decision on a microphone singapore, test polar patterns, which lets you know how it captures sound from various angles. It would help to place it somewhere and ask someone else to talk from different viewpoints as you record the proceedings. Then listen back to what happened during your test to see how much sound bled into the weaker areas of this mike.
As most people state, set your budget by buying cheap, buying twice. You always get what you pay for, particularly when buying anything electronic or mechanical, and microphones are no exception either. Purchase only within your means, even if it means starting with basic models before upgrading them since you have additional resources anytime your needs change, and finances allow.
Conclusion
To find the best microphone for capturing speech, music, or ambient sounds, prospective buyers must consider polar pattern, frequency range, accessories, impedance, wired versus wireless configs, sensitivity specifications, hands-on testing, and budget reality checks. When purchasing a microphone, these are the factors that should be considered.
