Choosing a microphone is like choosing any other piece of musical equipment. There are many options available that will meet your needs, but deciding on the one that will best fit your particular situation can prove rather tedious at times. Before you buy a microphone, there are several factors you should consider.
Purpose
The first consideration should be the purpose of the mic you are buying. Different microphones are built to affect a specific sound or bring out a particular frequency, so construction often dictates purpose. Before you even begin your search, know what you’ll be miking. For example, you would not use the same mic for vocals as you would a kick drum because the natural frequencies of a human voice are different from that of the drum. There are some mics, however, that work well with a variety of sources. Vocal mics can often be used to mic horns, pianos, guitar amplifiers, and even symbols. Again, frequency is a large part of what determines this.
Setting
The setting can be another major factor in determining the mic you purchase. While there are no specific rules that say one mic must be used live and another one in the studio, there are some models that work best in each situation. For example, the Rhodes NT1 is a great vocal mic, but is better suited to studio use because of its build and sensitivity. It’s a large-diaphragm microphone and is more fragile than others on the market. Because of this, it would not lend itself to the riggers of the road. On the other hand, the Shure SM57 is a great vocal mic both live and in the studio. It can also be used to mic drums in both situations, and is a popular choice among musicians and engineers alike. The same rule applies to other models and when micking instruments and amplifiers as well.
Price
Price is another important factor, as it can dictate which mic you actually choose. Once you have established your buying purpose, figure out how much you can or are willing to spend for a mic. The price may be closely related to the purpose; for example, if you are looking for a vocal mic to use in a home or project studio where only demos will be recorded, you may not wish to spend as much as you would if you needed a mic for frequent gigging. Your budget will also play a part in the decision. There is a variety of good mics available that fall into the low to moderate price range. There are many options available to you, so finding the right mic to fit your needs should not be a difficult task. Buying a microphone can be a great investment that will serve you well for many years to come.
