Using Dynamic Microphones: A Guide on Handling the Most Widely Used Mic Type
Are you eager to expand your home studio arsenal? Dynamic microphones might just be the unsung heroes you've been missing. Despite being often overlooked, these low-cost, robust microphones offer substantial benefits for your recording workflow.
What are Dynamic Microphones?
Dynamic microphones work much like a speaker in reverse – sound waves cause a membrane and coil to move within a magnetic field, generating an electrical signal that can be amplified [1]. This makes them perfect for live sound due to their affordability, resilience, and lack of a power supply.
Why Use Dynamic Microphones?
Dynamic mics have several unique advantages over other microphone types:
- Isolation: Lower sensitivity means they capture less bleed from surrounding sources, giving you better control over individual tracks in a dense mix.
- High SPL Handling: They can handle extreme sound pressure levels, making them ideal for aggressive or loud sources.
- Transient Response: Dynamic mics excel at capturing transients with their punch and presence intact, making them perfect for percussion or vocal styles like rapping or screaming.
- Affordability: Dynamic mics are generally less expensive than condensers or ribbons, making them a great budget choice. Top-notch pros still use them alongside pricier microphones in their mic locker!
What to Record with Dynamic Microphones
In most studios, dynamics are utilized for key tasks:
1. Drums
Dynamic mics are ideal for close-miking drums, as their high SPL handling, transient response, and off-axis rejection let them capture all the intensity of snares, toms, and bass drums. Using a specialised dynamic mic, such as the AKG D112 or Shure Beta52 for the kick drum, Sennheiser MD421-II for toms, can deliver a powerful, focused sound.
2. Electric Guitar and Bass Amps
Guitaar and bass amplifiers respond well to dynamic microphones. Their ability to handle intense levels and unique frequency response makes them a common choice for guitars and bass in professional productions [1]. The Shure SM57 is an affordable, popular dynamic mic used across industries.
3. Vocals
While condensers may be favored for studio vocals, some dynamic mics (like Shure's SM7B or Electro-Voice's RE20) can offer intricate, pleasant sounds, ideal for home studios with background noise or problematic room reflections [2].
Don't be left in the dark on this crucial recording tool – dynamic microphones deserve a spot in every home studio!
Incorporating dynamic microphones into your home studio arsenal could bring unexpected benefits to your recording workflow, as they offer advantages in areas like isolation, high SPL handling, transient response, and affordability. These gadgets, with their robust construction and versatility, can capture the intensity of various instruments such as drums, electric guitar and bass amps, and even vocals, making them essential tools in any studio setting.
