How to Use a Condenser Microphone

Condenser microphones are designed to receive sound as if they were a drum; you can have more distance from the actual microphone and still pick up a good audio signal. This makes them an excellent choice for recording or broadcasting live sound, particularly spoken word or vocals, because the condenser will pick up more of the nuances of the performance than other kinds of microphones. Learning to use a condenser microphone is more about learning how your style of performing is best received by the mechanics of the microphone.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• XLR mic cable
• Audio cable
• PA or amplifier
• Mic stand

1. Plug in a DC power source and connect it to phantom power. Your phantom power may be built into your soundboard or be a separate unit. Once it is plugged in, turn it on and see if the LED that indicates phantom power is on lights up. If it does, turn off the phantom power. If the light does not come on, check with your owner's manual for possible causes.

2. Place your mic into the holder at the top of the mic stand. Plug one end of your XLR cable into the mic jack on your phantom power source and plug the XLR jack of your cable into the base of your condenser microphone.

3. Plug one end of your audio cable into the "Out" jack of your phantom power and plug the other end into the "Input" jack on your PA or amp.

4. Turn on your phantom power and wait for the LED indicator to light up before you turn on the power to your PA or amp. Your mic will power on automatically.

5. Begin to speak into the condenser microphone. Start talking close to the head of the microphone; then begin to move your head (while continuing to speak) away from the mic. Listen to the quality of your voice as it comes through the speakers and make adjustments to your sound levels. Determine the best distance between you and the head of the condenser.

Tips & Warnings

• The required distance between you and the condenser microphone will depend on whether you are speaking or singing or what type of music you are playing. Experiment and write down notes on what position works best with your mic.
• Always turn on the phantom power before turning on your PA or amp, and turn off the PA or amp before turning off the phantom power, to prevent your sound system from making a loud popping noise.

Resources

• How Condenser Microphones Work
• The Physics of Microphones