Microphone Buying Guide

2. Polar Pattern

A microphone's polar/directional pattern is its listening zone. This simply means the direction the mic best hears or catches sounds. The three main directional patterns to consider include the omnidirectional, bidirectional, and unidirectional mic patterns that affect how and in what setting a mic should be used. A good understanding of this factor will go a long way in making the right choice for your needs. 

3. Installation Option

Depending on your space and purpose, choosing a microphone that suits your profession and provides comfort is important. There are various microphones that are designed for various applications. Below are some microphones with their ideal applications:

  i. Overhead/Hanging Microphone: This type of microphone is perfect for applications like huddle rooms, conference rooms and studios. They are designed to be attached over the head or to a room’s ceiling tile.

  ii. Boundary Microphone: Boundary microphone, often known as table top microphone, is a type of microphone with compact construction that often uses a wired or wireless connection. This microphone is mostly used in professional meeting environments such as huddle rooms, conference rooms, boardrooms, governmental meetings and more.

  iii. Gooseneck Microphone: This microphone is designed for audio/video and conference environments, public paging systems or environments where audio needs to be reproduced, such as boardrooms or houses of worship. This type of microphone strikes a long-neck mechanism, capturing a single-user’s audio content directly from their mouth and ensuring  audible audio reproduction. Gooseneck microphones are attached to a table top, podium or lectern and are usually adjustable.

   iv Concealable Microphone: A lavalier microphone is a great example of a concealable microphone in the sense that it can easily be concealed in dresses or costumes. This is due to its low-profile construction, making it inconspicuous when worn. Thus, the microphone is ideal for applications such as filmmaking, videography, broadcast television and public speaking. 

   v. Headworn, Neck Worn and Ear-Set: These types of microphones are designed for presenters or speakers who need to convey speech to the audience in a completely wireless manner, and also need the freedom to move around. These types of microphones stay worn to the head, neck or securely attached to the ear. 

4. Frequency Response and Sound Quality 

The range of frequency from high to low that the microphone will pick up is known as its frequency response. This range is measured in hertz (Hz) and is referred to by its lowest and highest frequencies. Microphones have different frequency response ranges, thus, some frequencies are better captured than others. It is critical to select a microphone whose frequency response range corresponds to your recording needs. Additionally, make sure the microphone generates accurate, natural, and clear sound by paying attention to the overall sound quality.

5. Sensitivity and Signal-to-Noise Ratio

The microphone's sensitivity dictates its ability to record sound, and its signal-to-noise ratio describes how well it can block out background noise. High signal-to-noise ratio microphones are superior at isolating sound from background noise, while high sensitivity microphones are best for recording quiet sounds. On the other hand, mics with low sensitivity excel in high-volume environments without distorting the sound.

6. Connectivity Options

Putting your preferred connectivity into consideration and the type of device you will be using your microphone with is crucial. Microphones today are designed to be connected in various ways, with the most common being USB and XLR. USB microphones are easy and offer a convenient setup for beginners, podcasters and content creators looking for a microphone with simple connectivity. The XLR microphone uses a three-pin XLR connector and is often used in professional workspaces where audio interference is not welcomed. They ensure compatibility between the microphone and all of your systems and allow for transmission of phantom power for those seeking it. Meanwhile, some other microphones, like a lavalier microphone, do not utilise either XLR or USB, instead, they use an audio jack and lighting USB, making them able to connect to a radio transmitter or mobile devices with an audio jack port.

Always consider the connectivity options available and ensure compatibility with your recording equipment.

7. Durability and Build Quality

Always take into consideration the microphone's robustness and construction, particularly if you intend to use it for many live performances or field recordings. Pay attention to features like protective casings, pop filters, and shock mounts.

8. Budget

Every microphone type comes in a wide price range, depending on its capabilities and polarity, so it is essential to set a budget based on your needs and preference. While it is true that higher-priced microphones may offer better sound quality and performance, there are some excellent budget-friendly options available that still deliver excellent sound quality.