Articles Directory | Free Articles | New Articles Daily

A Buyers Guide for Microphones
Microphones are specialized pieces of equipment that are used to amplify and transmit sound by converting it into an electrical signal. There are many types of mics available that are designed to meet particular needs. For example, the most common way to classify mikes are wired and wireless mikes, with wired mikes sending the electrical signal to an amplifier through a cable, while wireless mikes transmit the signal to an amplifier with a receiver. There are also mikes specially designed for vocals and for instruments.
When buying microphones, however, your choice will usually be between dynamic and condenser mikes. These classifications refer to the type of transducer inside the mike that converts the sound to electricity. A dynamic microphone is designed to handle extreme sound levels and is ideal for vocalists or instruments such as drum kits where the mike will be close to the sound source. On the other hand, a condenser microphone is designed to capture nuances of sound and is usually used to mike orchestras, choirs or for other applications where you want to capture the sound of a group and the mike will be some distance away from the sound.
There are a number of popular microphone brands that you should consider when choosing which mike to buy. These brands have earned a good reputation from audiophiles due to their high-quality products that produce the best sound reproduction.
AKG Acoustics GmbH. This Austrian-based manufacturer of audio equipment is noted for producing high quality but affordable products. Currently a part of US-based audio equipment manufacturer Harman International, AKG offers a wide range of mike types ranging from recording and broadcasting mikes, stage mikes, installed mikes and wireless mikes as well as accessories such as headphones and accessories as well as microphone stands, cables and adapters.
Shure Inc. This US-based manufacturer is one of the most popular brands of audio equipment. Their product lines include wired and wireless microphone systems, in-ear personal monitors that allow the user to monitor audio separate from the amplified sound, portable mixers and digital signal processing products, sound reinforcement systems and accessories such as headphones. Shure mics are used by popular artists such as Brad Paisley and Jason Mraz.
Audio Technica Corporation. This is a Tokyo-based manufacturer of audio equipment whose mics have been used extensively on the Grammy Awards as well as during Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductions and the Olympic Games. One of its most popular products is the handheld Artist Elite AE5400 condenser vocal microphone, which is noted for delivering the pristine and crystal-clear sound demanded by discriminating artists while still being durable enough to handle the rugged demands of concert touring. Available Audio Technica microphone types include boundary, computer, hanging, shotgun, side address, pencil, lavalier and ribbon mikes as well as wireless and conference mike systems.
MXL. Manufactured by Marshall Electronics, which is based in California, MXL products include studio, live, USB, field recording and web conferencing microphones and kits as well as accessories such as mike shock mounts, hard mounts, mixers, pop filters, cables and windscreens.