Perfect for anything involving one person speaking.īidirectional: Captures audio directly in front of and directly behind the microphone. Captures audio in a cone-shape directly in front of the microphone. Polar Pattern: Indicates which direction audio will be picked up by your microphone.Ĭardioid: The most common polar pattern. Dynamic mics are great for music, capturing loud sounds like instruments, amps, and live performances with ease and clarity. Condenser microphones are generally sensitive, accurate mics that are great for capturing normal speech.ĭynamic Microphones: One of the two most common microphone types. Here’s a summary of a few of those terms to know.Ĭondenser Microphone: One of the two most common microphone types. While certainly intimidating, there are only a few basic concepts beginners need to know before deciding to buy. Terms to Look Out Forīuying a microphone, even a simple one, can quickly turn into a blur of technical terms involving waveforms, frequency response, and concepts usually relegated to audio production. Depending on your needs, the best mic for you will vary drastically. The main thing to consider before searching for a great mic is what you’ll be using it for. But amongst mics, the competition is fierce, and the offerings are varied. If you’re used to using your phone, laptop, or webcam for recording audio, basically any stand-alone mic is going to sound leagues better.
Luckily, these top rated mics deliver on sound, usability, and design. With the rise of livestreaming and working from home, the demand for clear, quality sound is stronger than ever. While mics on phones, laptops, and webcams have improved over time, they are still miles behind the quality found in even the most basic stand-alone mic.
No matter what you’re streaming, a quality microphone makes a world of difference.