Studio Microphones

Unlike dynamic microphones, studio microphones require extra voltage to operate known as phantom power. These microphones also use a different pickup design in the form of a condenser which provides a much broader frequency range and capture pattern. Studio microphones are perfect for recording vocals, online radio shows and podcasts.

Many of our studio mics come with stands in a desktop mount or boom-arm style. The desktop mounted stands are in a tripod style and have a compact design, while the boom arm stands are much larger and clamp to the edge of a desk. Both being great solutions in a studio setting, our studio microphone kits are perfect for singing, speech and in some cases, instruments.

The majority of our studio microphones include a pop shield or pop filter. These act as a barrier to reduce harsh bursts of air hitting the microphone that cause poor audio recordings. A pop shield is a thin, usually circular, add-on that clips to the microphone stand and a pop filter is a foam add-on that covers the microphone itself. Both are great to reduce harsh sounds produced by your voice and are ideal in studio settings.

Which is the best studio microphone?

There are many different types of studio microphones available, and each serves its purpose for different reasons. For example, we offer many studio microphones that are tailored for speech purposes in podcasting scenarios, while we also offer studio mics that can withstand harsher sounds which are more ideal for singing purposes.

Something that should be taken into account when choosing a studio microphone is the space you have available and how you intend to use it. If you have limited space available and you will be needing to relocate the microphone frequently, it would be best to go for one that includes a desktop tripod stand. If you want a more permanent solution and you have the space available, a studio mic with a boom-arm stand may work best for you.

Another thing to consider when choosing a studio microphone is the other equipment you already have that you intend to use it with. If you have a mixing desk with phantom power, a microphone with a standard XLR connection would work best. For a minimalistic setup where you don't have much other equipment, a USB microphone would be ideal as it can connect directly to a laptop or PC without the need for a mixing desk.

Depending on the way you want to use the microphone, it is useful to look for the included features. For example, if you are after a microphone for podcasting or live streaming, it would be ideal to have a mute button for moments where you don't want your voice to be broadcasted.

How do studio microphones work?

Without getting too in-depth, studio microphones convert acoustic energy (your voice) into a digital electrical signal that can then be amplified and recorded. All of our studio microphones have a condenser design, which in essence, means that there are two metal plates inside the casing that are in close proximity to each other with a low voltage between them. They vibrate when sound waves hit them, causing an electrical signal to be produced which can then be amplified.

To actually hear the digitised signal, it will need to be amplified where you can then hear it through speakers or headphones. Our range of studio microphones with just an XLR connection will need to be connected to a mixing desk with phantom power built-in, as the condenser design requires additional voltage. USB microphones connect straight to a PC and the built-in battery provides the extra required voltage, perfect for small studio setups.

The polar pattern of a studio microphone tells you the directions that it can reproduce sound from. The most common polar pattern is cardioid, which reproduces sounds from the front and sides of the mic while eliminating sound from the back. In a small studio setting this is perfect, as you would commonly have speakers facing towards you.

Several of our studio mics feature adjustable volume or gain control which adjusts the input signal of the microphone. This is great if you are using the microphone for multiple purposes, such as speech recording and instrument recording. When recording lower volume sounds, the gain can be safely turned up so that the microphone can more easily reproduce the sound. If you are recording higher volume sounds such as high-pitched singing, the gain control should be turned down so that the signal doesn't distort.

Buy studio mics

We have a wide range of studio microphones to offer, each of which are great for their own purposes. The microphone you choose will depend entirely on the way you intend to use it and what you want it to achieve.

If you aren't entirely sure which microphone would be the best one for you, please do not hesitate to contact us and we will be happy to guide you through your options and which one would suit you best.