“I’m buying my first microphone, what do you recommend?”
“What features should I look for in a microphone?”
“I’m just starting out—what type of microphone should I get?”
These are questions I’ve received countless times, whether through email, social media, or in person. Choosing your first microphone can feel overwhelming, especially with so many options on the market, but it doesn’t have to be.
In this article, I’m going to share the advice I’ve given over the years to those buying their first microphone. Keep in mind, this is not a set of rules, but rather helpful guidelines to steer you in the right direction. While there’s no single “perfect” microphone, the suggestions I’ve made have proven to be reliable time and time again.
Choosing a microphone is a deep topic, especially in professional studios where decisions are based on the type of sound or instrument being recorded, as well as the preferences of the recording engineer and artist. Big studios often have dozens, if not hundreds, of microphones to choose from.
But for someone just starting out, especially if you’re recording at home, you don’t need a list of 10 or 15 microphones. What you need is a simple, effective recommendation that will get you started on the right foot.
So, let’s dive in…
Microphone Type
Microphones are generally categorized into four types based on their working principles: dynamic, ribbon, condenser, and electret-condenser. In modern music production, dynamic and condenser microphones are the most commonly used.
For anyone purchasing their first microphone, my recommendation is: Go with a condenser microphone.
Why? Condenser microphones tend to capture sound with minimal color. In other words, they produce a result that’s closer to the original tone of the sound source. This doesn’t mean microphones that add color are bad—in fact, some genres and recording techniques rely on that—but when you only have one microphone, it needs to be versatile enough to handle different sounds. A condenser microphone does just that, giving you a more neutral, true-to-life sound.
Personal Experience: When I first started out, my first microphone was, well, less than ideal. It was a dynamic microphone, possibly a no-name brand that didn’t even have an XLR connector—just a permanently attached cable with a TS (1/4″) plug. It certainly wasn’t professional, but back then, it was all I had. I won’t mention what year this was (no need to date myself), but let’s just say the options weren’t as great as they are today in terms of price and performance.
If I could do it all over again, I would’ve gone with a condenser microphone right from the start. Condensers offer a more accurate representation of the sound source and are incredibly versatile, making them perfect for recording vocals, instruments, and just about anything else. As I built up my microphone collection, I started to experiment with more specialized mics, but for your first microphone, I recommend choosing one that offers neutrality and versatility.
Diaphragm Size
Microphones can also be classified based on the size of their diaphragm. In general, there are two types: large-diaphragm and small-diaphragm microphones. The diaphragm size affects the microphone’s tonal qualities and how it captures sound.
Large-diaphragm microphones (with a diaphragm size around 1 inch) are known for producing a fuller, more robust sound. They tend to excel in capturing vocals, acoustic guitars, and other sources where a rich, warm tone is desired. However, large-diaphragm microphones have a drawback: they can lose some of the finer details.
Small-diaphragm microphones (with a diaphragm size less than half an inch) are great for picking up more detailed and accurate sound. They excel in high-frequency clarity and are often used in studio settings where precision is key.
For someone buying their first microphone, my recommendation is: Go with a large-diaphragm microphone.
Why? Large-diaphragm microphones are incredibly versatile. You can capture everything from vocals to electric guitars and percussion. Their tonal richness makes them ideal for home recording setups, where you’ll likely be recording a wide variety of sound sources. A large-diaphragm microphone gives you the flexibility to record almost anything with great results.
Personal Experience: When I began building my microphone collection, a large-diaphragm microphone was one of my first purchases. The fullness and warmth of the sound it captured made it an excellent all-around tool for my studio. I was able to record vocals, guitars, and even wind instruments with great clarity and depth. For someone starting out, it’s the most versatile option.
Polar Pattern
Another important feature to consider when buying your first microphone is the polar pattern. This refers to how the microphone picks up sound from different directions. There are three main types of polar patterns:
- Cardioid: The most common polar pattern in music production. It picks up sound primarily from the front of the microphone while reducing noise from the sides and rear. Cardioid microphones help isolate the sound source, making them ideal for vocals and instruments in less-than-perfect recording environments. There are also variations of this pattern, such as supercardioid and hypercardioid, which offer even narrower pickup patterns for more focused sound capture while still rejecting noise from the sides and rear.
- Omnidirectional: This pattern picks up sound equally from all directions—front, back, and sides. It’s useful in situations where you want to capture the natural ambiance of a room or record multiple sound sources at once.
- Bidirectional (Figure-8): This pattern picks up sound from both the front and the rear of the microphone while rejecting sound from the sides. It’s often used in stereo recording techniques or when recording two sound sources facing each other, such as two singers or instruments.
Many microphones only offer one polar pattern, but there are some models that allow you to switch between different polar patterns using a small button on the microphone. These are known as multi-pattern microphones, and they give you the flexibility to use cardioid, omnidirectional, or bidirectional patterns as needed.
For your first microphone, my recommendation is: Go with a multi-pattern microphone.
Why? Having the ability to switch between different polar patterns means you can experiment with how the microphone captures sound from different angles and environments. For example, you can use cardioid for focused vocal recordings or switch to omnidirectional when you want to capture the room’s natural acoustics. This versatility will help you get the most out of your microphone and allow you to gain valuable experience with different miking techniques.
Personal Experience: One of the first multi-pattern microphones I used was a real “ear-opener” —literally! I remember recording a vocal take in cardioid mode, then switching to omnidirectional to capture the room’s natural reverb. It was a game-changer in understanding how different patterns affect the recording process. If you’re new to this, experimenting with different polar patterns is a great way to learn and improve your recordings.
Other Features
When choosing a microphone, you’ll often come across technical specifications like frequency response, transient response, sensitivity, equivalent noise rating, impedance, and maximum SPL. These features are important in professional audio recording, but when you’re just starting out, they can feel a bit overwhelming.
For your first microphone, I recommend not getting too bogged down in the details or stressing over every spec sheet. There’s plenty of time to dive deep into all those technical specs later, once you’ve gotten more comfortable. After all, who hasn’t gone cross-eyed from trying to make sense of all those terms?
Instead, focus on the key features we’ve discussed already (microphone type, diaphragm size, and polar pattern). However, there’s one additional feature that I recommend keeping an eye out for: the pad switch.
Condenser microphones are sensitive and capable of capturing a wide range of sounds, including very loud ones. Sometimes, though, the microphone’s internal circuitry can become overloaded by a sound source that’s too loud, causing distortion. This is where a pad switch comes in handy.
A pad (short for attenuation pad) is a switch that reduces the microphone’s sensitivity to loud sound sources by lowering the signal level before it hits the microphone’s internal preamplifier. You can activate it when recording loud instruments like drums or amplifiers, helping to prevent distortion. It’s a simple feature but one that can save your recordings from unwanted clipping and distortion.
For your first microphone, my recommendation is: Look for one with a pad switch.
Why? Having a pad switch will give you more flexibility when recording louder sound sources, and you won’t need to worry about accidentally overloading the microphone. It’s one of those features that might not seem critical at first, but you’ll definitely appreciate it when you need it.
Summary
To sum it all up, if you’re buying your first microphone, I recommend choosing a large-diaphragm, multi-pattern condenser microphone with a pad switch.
CONDENSER + LARGE DIAPHRAGM + MULTI-PATTERN + PAD
This type of microphone will serve you well for almost any recording situation at home or in your studio. Whether you’re recording vocals, acoustic guitars, drums, or even experimenting with different sound sources, a large-diaphragm, multi-pattern condenser microphone gives you the flexibility to capture high-quality audio without needing a large collection of gear. The neutral tone and versatility will allow you to work on a wide range of projects, from podcasting to music production, all while maintaining professional results.
As you gain more experience, you’ll start to understand the specific needs of your recording environment and the types of sounds you want to capture. This will guide your future microphone purchases, helping you select more specialized mics for particular tasks. Whether it’s a dynamic microphone for live performances, a ribbon microphone for smooth, vintage tones, or a small-diaphragm condenser for highly detailed recordings, you’ll have the foundation to make informed decisions. But for now, a versatile, feature-rich condenser microphone will be more than enough to get you started on your audio journey.