How important is it to use a good microphone when recording vocals?

Perhaps the most crucial element of a quality recording is the microphone that is used. Whether you are recording a podcast, or recording a song in a studio, or conducting a live interview, there is a price to pay for neglecting the importance of a good microphone. Often, creatives learn this the hard way. The audio on their video or music turns out crappy, and only when they realise this, they invest in a good microphone.

For podcasts, a quality microphone is perhaps the most important piece of equipment. Unless the microphone is good, a podcast cannot have high fidelity audio. In a podcast, the audio plays a bigger role in the content, compared to a video. So a system with low-noise amplification is crucial for making an impact. That said, a good microphone alone is not enough — a quality pre-amplifier and mixing also go a long way.

Microphones basically convert analog (audible) sound into an electrical signal that can be amplified and reproduced either live through speaker systems, or by recording to a tape or digital storage for playback at a later time.

There are two main types of microphones to consider:

Dynamic microphones

These microphones are not overly sensitive. They don’t pick up much background noise. They can pick up just the sound that you need from the source close to the mic. This makes them great for recording in noisy settings, or recording multiple people at once. These are also a great choice for live performances, talks, and podcasts. They are also more durable in design and can survive rougher handling. For certain styles of vocals, like rap, a dynamic mic is sometimes preferred to reduce unwanted detail such as in “s” and “p” sounds.

Condenser microphones

For exceptionally precise high fidelity sound, condenser microphones work best. They can provide excellent “frequency response” (ability to reproduce a wider spectrum of frequencies). However, these mics are sensitive, so they require a quiet room. The technology used in condenser mics is more sophisticated, which makes them more expensive than dynamic microphones.

All mics have inherent noise — a signal produced by the microphone on its own, even without any sound source. This sound exists due to the laws of physics. It is the manufacturer’s job to reduce this noise, and some do it better than others. The more advanced the technology, the better the output tends to be, and also — the more expensive it gets.

At Muzico we have invested in some of the finest microphones, like the legendary Neumann U87 and the Warm Audio WA-47 (a tube mic).