Microphone Types and Their Characteristics

In this episode we continue the theme of Season 2, the ingredients for good audio, with a look at microphone types. The microphone we select will contribute significantly to the quality of audio in our initial recording. Choosing a mic that compliments our room is imperative. Choosing the wrong microphone for the room we're in can result in the majority of our post-production time being spent trying to fix bad audio instead of making good audio, better.

Here are some microphones to consider. Full discloser, these are affiliate links. That means that while the price is the same, I earn a little bit (very little) from each purchase using these links.

Condenser Mics

• RØDE NT1 Large Diaphragm Mic - https://amzn.to/3IK2pKs
• RØDE NT1A Large Diaphragm Mic - https://amzn.to/3ZsObF5
• RØDE NT-USB-MINI - https://amzn.to/3ZlAUhG
• Synco D2 Small Diaphragm Shotgun Mic - https://amzn.to/3ywQf3f
• Sennheiser MKH 416 Small Diaphragm Shotgun Mic - https://amzn.to/3KUVMHZ
• Audio-Technica AT2020 XLR Mic - https://amzn.to/41KKlst
• Audio-Technica AT2020USB+ Mic - https://amzn.to/3EUCrDe
• Lewitt LCT440 Pure Large Diaphragm Mic - https://amzn.to/3L0KFxu
• Neumann TLM 102 Large Diaphragm Mic - https://amzn.to/3ZlD4xz

Dynamic Mics

• Samsom Q2U USB/XLR Mic - https://amzn.to/3SPIezu
• Samsom Q9U USB/XLR Mic - https://amzn.to/3F0oROq
• Audio-Technica ATR2100 USB/XLR Mic - https://amzn.to/3Jh3smA
• Audio-Technica AT2040 XLR Mic - https://amzn.to/3ZZySDV
• Shure SM57 Mic - https://amzn.to/3mubSOV
• Shure SM58 Mic - https://amzn.to/3SUe5iv
• Shure MV7X XLR Mic - https://amzn.to/41P0wF2
• Shure MV7 USB/XLR Mic - https://amzn.to/3ybgHz0
• Shure SM7B XLR Mic - https://amzn.to/3ydAFJr
• Electro-Voice RE-20 XLR Mic & Shock Mount - https://amzn.to/3KXcvKQ
• Electro-Voice RE-320  XLR Mic - https://amzn.to/41OBWo0

It's March Madness at the Audacity

Other Places You'll Find Me:

1. The Audacity Bootcamp online school for podcasters and ACX audiobook narrators. The school consists of the following online courses:
   • Audacity Step-by-Step: Beginner to Advanced
   • ACX Audiobook Production Using Audacity
   • Audacity Version Updates
2. The Learn Audacity YouTube Channel
3. The Learn Audacity Homepage
4. The Audacity Channel on YouTube
5. Facebook

• Contact Me

Chapters

• 0:00 Intro
• 1:23 Microphone Pickup Patterns
• 3:17 USB and XLR Connections Options
• 4:59 Condenser Microphones
• 12:36 Dynamic Microphones
• 16:51 Frequency Response Sheets
• 18:15 Summary
• 18:55 The Audacity Bootcamp 50% Off March Madness Sale
• 20:05 Outro