Dynamic microphones stand as one of the most tried and true ways of capturing professional sound. Whether you're at a live performance, podcast taping, or within a music studio environment, you're bound to come across many dynamic microphones as an audio enthusiast.
There are some tricks and tips behind getting the most out of dynamic microphones, which differ from the likes of other common microphone types like the condenser or ribbon microphone. Below, we'll walk you through exactly how to optimize your usage of a dynamic mic so that you can get the most out of these effective, dependable tools.
What is a Dynamic Microphone?
A dynamic microphone is one of the most popular and oldest pieces of audio equipment still used on a daily basis today. The origins of the dynamic microphone can be traced back to its invention in 1897 by Ernst Siemens, though dynamic microphones of today aren't all that different: These microphones use a moving coil to turn sound waves into electrical signals.
Dynamic microphones consist of a diaphragm, wire coil, and a magnet. When sound is created, the diaphragm vibrates, leading the coil to move within the magnetic field and generate an audio signal. In most cases, dynamic microphones have a cardioid polar pattern, meaning that you pick up high-quality sound when the sound source is directed at the center of the microphone.
While some dynamic microphones might have additional polar patterns, this is more of a rare occurrence than common. Dynamic microphones are incredibly versatile and durable, making them ideal for live performance settings. They can also be excellent tools for studio recording highly dynamic vocals, and do not require Phantom power when capturing sound.
What Makes Dynamic Microphones Special?
The strength of the dynamic microphone is in its simplicity and versatility. Due to its robust coil and magnet structure, these are tough pieces of equipment that can handle lots of movement and even a bit more moisture, unlike other sensitive microphone options such as condenser microphones or ribbon microphones.
Dynamic microphones do not require any additional power supply like Phantom power. They provide a flat, accurate signal giving you a clean base to engineer from. These microphones are pretty affordable and usually won't run you more than a couple of hundred dollars or so on the high-end of the market. Popular dynamic microphone picks include the Shure SM7B and SM58 or the BeyerDynamic M201 for capturing instrumentals like guitars or drums.
Common Dynamic Microphone Uses
You'll find dynamic microphones in a variety of settings. These mics are incredibly versatile due to their durability, making them a popular choice for performance and live sound. In an outdoor setting, you'll almost always see exclusively dynamic mics due to their ability to withstand a low level of moisture or sweat.
You might just as easily find dynamic microphones within a podcast setting. Since dynamic microphones are designed to pick up just what's directly in front of them, they will pick up dialogue without capturing unnecessary distractions in the room.
That's not to say you wouldn't find dynamic mics in a studio setting, however. Dynamic mics are commonly used to track vocals and instruments even within a professional, treated environment. They usually deliver a flat sound and can deal well with highly variable dynamics (hence the name). Therefore, dynamic mics are a great choice for tracking items like drum kits or upfront vocals.
How to Use Dynamic Microphones Properly
You could use a dynamic microphone to capture sound in any number of ways: Musicians and engineers frequently use dynamic mics to record vocals, field recordings, conversations, and within live performance settings. Knowing how to use dynamic microphones properly is essential to score polished studio recordings of acoustic instruments, vocals, and more. Here are a couple of steps you'll want to follow to use dynamic mics properly:
Start With Your Setup
Dynamic microphones do not require external power. To set them up, simply connect your dynamic mic to your audio interface utilizing an XLR cable. Note that XLR cables can wear over time. Dynamic microphones can be held directly or attached to a music stand using tools like a Keen clamp, butterfly clamp, or mic clip for hands-free performance.
Remove any unwanted background noise or distractions from the area of your recording. Ideally, you'll want to record in an isolated environment with few reflective surfaces like windows.
Hone In Your Sound
Start to test your microphone levels by live monitoring the sound through the headphones or output of your audio interface. Adjusting the gain of your dynamic microphone controls the microphone's overall sensitivity. Ideally, you want to get a clean, audible sound at the lowest amount of gain possible: too much gain can introduce unnecessary, distracting background noise.
You can also experiment with adding effects and processing to your recording chain whether that's a preamp or equalizer. Most dynamic microphones have a fairly natural sound, so some engineers may prefer to use a preamplifier to add some initial saturation or character to the incoming signal.
Proper Microphone Positioning
Understanding the basics behind mic placement is key for any microphone, as varying microphone types and polar patterns drastically affect how sound is taken in and processed.
Once you or another person is ready to start creating sound, make sure the sound source is positioned fairly in front of the dynamic mic, with about two fists or so of distance. As a rule of thumb, keep the vocalist or sound source between 6 and 12 inches from the center of the microphone. You can have the microphone at a slight angle to minimize plosives & distortion, and use a pop filter to cut out unnecessary noise further.
Remind the vocalist to minimize body movement and keep monitoring playback levels at a minimum to prevent any auditory bleed into the recording.
Storage and Care
Once you've finished recording, properly disconnect the microphone from the XLR cable and wrap up (using the over-under method) the cable properly for future use. Dynamic microphones should be stored in a protective case if possible, in a cool, dry area without moisture. Keep your microphone in an area where it won't fall down or get jostled when not in use.
While dynamic microphones are some of the most durable options available, rough handling can wear down the integrity of any microphone over time.
Which Dynamic Microphone Should I Buy?
Selecting the right dynamic microphone for your needs is largely an individual decision, but there are some stand-out favorites among the audiophile community that are definitely worth considering. Here are three excellent dynamic microphones to choose from, compared and contrasted for your convenience:
Shure SM7B
This famous microphone is well-regarded by musicians and podcasters alike. The Shure SM7B is known for its smooth, warm sonic profile that's rivaled only by condenser microphones when it comes to use in professional studios. While commonly held as the "golden standard" of podcasting microphones, this mic is also used frequently to record vocals. Note that this microphone is most commonly used in conjunction with a preamplifier that provides an often needed 60 dB of gain.
Price: The Shure SM7B starts at $399.
PROS:
- Well-regarded dynamic microphone for its warm, smooth sound output
- Flat frequency response is ideal for applications ranging from studio recordings to speech
- Built-in pop filter largely mitigates external sibilance for crystal clear sound quality
CONS:
- Can be pricey relative to other dynamic microphones
- Often needs to be paired with an external preamplifier to get the most out of the microphone's output and sonic profile
You can hear a Shure SM7B put to the test at the end of this demo video:
BeyerDynamic M201
If you're searching for a dynamic microphone to capture instruments like drums, acoustic guitars, or electric guitar amps, you're probably best off with something highly directional like the BeyerDynamic M201 microphone. This well-made mic hosts a wider frequency response than most with a range of 40–18,000 Hz. This mic hosts a natural tone opening the door to limitless processing possibilities throughout the music production process.
Price: The BeyerDynamic M201 is priced at $399.99.
PROS:
- These specialized microphones are excellent for capturing the sound output of highly dynamic instruments like acoustic instruments, guitar amplifiers, and drums
- Crystal clear sound reproduction even at a high amplitude
- Handcrafted in Germany, well-built design
CONS:
- Can be expensive for first-time dynamic microphone users
- Highly directional: best suited for recording single instruments or sound sources
You can hear this microphone in use here:
Shure SM58
The Shure SM58 is another well-regarded dynamic microphone known for its simplicity and durability. This versatile microphone is used for everything ranging from vocals, to speaking engagements, to comedians for its clean sonic profile. The cardioid microphone can be used for years on end with the option to replace the microphone cartridge should it wear down over time.
Price: The Shure SM58 comes in black and grey at a starter price of $99. You have the option to add an on/off switch to this microphone.
PROS:
- Affordable, dependable design
- Excellent sound quality for the price providing crisp, clear sound waves
CONS:
- This microphone is more or less designed to be handheld, which may be limiting depending on your intended purpose for this mic.
Audio-Technica 3212/C510
If you're looking for a fully wireless solution, the Audio Technica wireless receiver and microphone is certainly worth considering. This package pairs an Audio Technica receiver with a ATW-C510 cardioid dynamic microphone. One notable feature surrounding Audio Technica wireless microphones is that the microphone capsules are interchangeable, giving you the ability to plug and play as you expand your gear.
Like most wireless receivers, the Audio Technica 3212 needs a bit more investment than a microphone alone. However, it's worth noting that once you have a receiver, you can use it with multiple devices. If you choose to buy another wireless microphone in the future, you should have no issue using it with the AT 3212.
Price: Together, the 3212 and C510 receiver and microphone package cost $599. Individually, the AT-C510 dynamic microphone is priced at $99, with the receiver (ATW-R3210) is priced at $399.99 on the low end, depending on what specs you go with.
PROS:
- Wireless system provides additional flexibility for live performance
- Receiver can be used with multiple microphones
CONS:
- Startup costs are significantly more expensive than a traditional dynamic mic
Note that setup for a wireless microphone system is understandably more intensive than a handheld microphone. Fortunately, the following video walks you through exactly how to set up this dynamic microphone and corresponding receiver:
Dynamic mics are undoubtedly powerful tools, but don't forget that there are many different types of microphones to choose from. Understanding the key differences and use cases of dynamic and condenser microphones is essential for any musician interested in recording vocals.
Choosing between dynamic and condenser microphones depends largely on the situation. In short, dynamic microphones produce a flat, clean signal that's ideal for highly variable capture like in a live setting or recording sounds with lots of transients. Condenser microphones are well regarded for their clean, crisp, and detailed sound, almost exclusively used in a studio recording environment.
Generally speaking, you should use dynamic microphones whenever you're in a live setting with heavily fluctuating dynamics and excessive ambient noise. Dynamic microphones are also a great choice for performance or capturing live vocals for genres like rock or rap, where the vocal might have a harsher sound in comparison to typical pop music.
Hopefully, this guide sheds light on the power and use cases for dynamic mics so that you can put these amazing tools to the test. Have fun incorporating a versatile and durable dynamic mic in your next composition!
