Condenser Mic Characteristics

• Extremely sensitive – picks up the subtlest sounds in any environment
• Very articulate audio with a detailed high-frequency capture
• Requires external power to operate (phantom or battery)

Dynamic Mic Characteristics

• Minimizes room noise – perfect for sonically untreated rooms
• Smooth audio capture with classic warm broadcast sound
• Robust construction with no external power requirements

Typical condenser microphones use a lightweight membrane/diaphragm (1) and a fixed plate (2)that act as a capacitor.

Sound pressure causes this thin membrane to move. This movement changes the capacitance of the circuit creating an electrical signal. The signal is then captured through your recording device or amplified by a powered speaker.

Dynamic microphones use a diaphragm (1) connected to a coil of wire (2) that surrounds a magnet (3).

The diaphragm is moved by changing sound pressure. This moves the coil, which causes current to flow as it moves through the magnetic field. An electrical signal is then sent to your recording device or speakers which records or amplifies the signal.

Dynamic microphones are extremely durable and can handle very high sound pressure levels (SPL).