Home Recording of Music Using a Dynamic Mic
The rugged and inexpensive dynamic microphone, also known as the moving-coil microphone, is the hero of the home recording studio. Ideal for bass drums, snares, guitar cabs, and vocals, it can serve as the workhorse of your project.
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Benefits
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The SM57 is one of the most popular dynamic microphones in the studio. Dynamic microphones have a boosted sensitivity in the mid-range frequencies and the presence regions (around 5 kHz), making them perfect for warm and intelligible vocals. They are renowned for their robustness and can withstand high-pressure instruments like the kick drum. Most popular dynamics, such as the SM57, come equipped with a windshield inside the wire mesh, blocking out harsh popping sounds.
Shortcomings
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The heavy coil diaphragm in the dynamic microphone cannot move quickly, which means a decrease in frequencies after 8 or 10 kHz. Also, dynamic mics aren't very sensitive. Low-output sound sources require more gain, making them noisy.
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Directional Microphone
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All dynamic microphones are directional, meaning that a sound source facing the microphone will be louder than one from behind it. Most dynamic microphones have a cardiod pickup pattern, which looks like an upside-down heart.
The "Proximity Effect"
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Dynamic microphones often have a built in pop-filter to remove harsh consonant sounds. All pressure-gradient (directional) microphones experience a "proximity effect"---a boost to the bass frequencies---when the sound source is closer than 3 feet. Some dynamic microphones have a built-in switch to compensate for this, although the bass boost can be beneficial when recording guitar cabs or vocals.
Cost
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If you don't have the money for a fancy tube microphone, an SM57 will do just fine. Most dynamic microphones are inexpensive. The popular SM57 costs $109, while a slightly more gourmet SB7 will set you back $350.
Power
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Unlike condensers, dynamic microphones do not require batteries or external power.
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References
- Photo Credit microphone image by Richard J Thompson from Fotolia.com microphone image by MLProject from Fotolia.com microphone in red image by Oleg Kulakov from Fotolia.com dollar sign image by Pefkos from Fotolia.com
