3 types of microphones shown to the reader

Types of Microphones: Dynamic, Condenser, and Ribbon

By Eric Montgomery | October 7, 2024

In this article, I’m diving into the types of microphones every podcaster should know about.

As a podcaster, you’ve got an edge over other content creators. Unlike video, where you’re scrambling to find the right shot, frame, and lighting, podcasting is all about the sound—how you and your guests are heard.

And that can either make or break your show.

These days, there’s no excuse for poor audio quality. Fortunately, tech advances have made great microphones more affordable than ever.

But it’s crucial to know which type of microphone works best for each situation.

I’m here to break it all down.

And the good news?

There are only three main types of microphones to cover.

By the end of this read, you’ll have a solid understanding of what’s out there and which one suits your needs.

Let’ get into it.

Types of Microphones

Selecting a microphone can seem overwhelming.

When someone mentions a microphone, you probably picture someone holding a metal corded object—like a vocal ice cream cone.

Or perhaps a tiny mic clipped to clothing, used in TV and film—known as a lavalier or lapel microphone.

Even your cellphone has a built-in microphone.

However, these aren’t the types of microphones we’ll be discussing here today. While you can use them for podcasting, they’re not ideal.

For podcasting, the three main types of microphones to consider are:

Dynamic Microphones – Most popular type of podcast microphone
Condenser Microphones – 2nd most popular podcast microphone
Ribbon Microphones – Least popular (but there’s a couple unique ones for pods)

These categories can be further broken down by diaphragm type, polar patterns (how they capture sound), size, and cost.

Let’s dive deeper into each.

Dynamic Microphones

Think of a dynamic mic like dessert—specifically, like a pie that Grandma cuts with a special pie cutter, making evenly divided slices.

A dynamic microphone is great at isolating the voice speaking into it while rejecting most of the surrounding noise. This is because of their insensitivity to picking up sound.

Dynamic microphones typically (but not always) use a cardioid pickup pattern, meaning they capture sound directly in front and a little from the sides, shaped like a heart.

They’re durable, can withstand rough handling, and produce rich sound without picking up too much room noise or other distractions.

This makes them excellent for podcasting, which is why they’re widely used in radio stations and professional broadcasting studios.

Additionally, because of their lack of sensitivity they still sound good in rooms with tons of reverb and echo.

Dynamic microphones are the type of mic you generally want for your podcasting kit.

Great Dynamic Microphones For Podcasting

Shure SM7dB – A popular choice for podcasting, known for its rich, clean vocal capture. It has a built in Cloudlifter.

Electro-Voice RE20 – Common in radio and podcasting for its clear, natural sound and minimal proximity effect.

Rode PodMic – Designed specifically for podcasting, offering a robust build, broadcast-quality sound, and affordability.

Condenser Microphones

Imagine your Thanksgiving plate again, with mashed potatoes, turkey, cranberry sauce, squash, and a fresh roll—all neatly separated.

But when you pour gravy over everything, it starts to mix together. This is a metaphor for how condenser microphones pick up sound.

They are very sensitive AF and will capture room tone and ambient noise.

Oh, and don’t even get me started on recording with a condenser microphone in the same room as a co-host or guest.

Condensers pick up a ton of microphone bleed from all the mics in the room

Unless you’re recording in a sound-treated space (and even then), a condenser microphone will likely pick up unwanted sounds, including microphone bleed from co-hosts or guests

While they’re not IDEAL for podcasting, they’re actually great for recording music. They all sound very unique and add color and tone that make a lot of albums sound special.

Condenser microphones can also be pricey, ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars. And often, the cheaper models don’t sound great, so you’d need to invest in a quality one if you want to use one.

Stick to condenser mics only if you’re laying down music tracks and know how to handle their sensitivity.

Or if you’re an audio aficionado , like my friend Jay Yow.

Condenser Microphone Recommendations For Podcasting

If you want to try a condenser microphone for recording your podcast. These are my recommendations.

Lewitt Audio LCT 440 – Off axis sound suppression which is good for recording voices.

Rode Broadcaster – Low cut feature and built in pop-filter.

Neumann TLM 103 – A high-end studio condenser with an open, detailed sound, ideal for professional-quality voice recording.

Ribbon Microphones

Now let’s explore the unique case of ribbon microphones.

Ribbon mics are a lesser-known option in the podcasting world but offer some unique benefits.

They use a thin metal strip suspended in a magnetic field to capture sound, giving them a warm, natural tone with smooth high frequencies.

If you’re aiming for a vintage, broadcast-style sound with a touch of warmth, ribbon microphones are worth considering.

Ribbon Microphone Benefits

Ribbon mics provide an “organic” sound that can make voices feel closer and more intimate. This makes them great for conversational-style podcasts.

They tame harsh highs, making them suitable for voices that might otherwise sound overly sharp or sibilant.

Considerations Before Using Ribbon Microphones

They’re fragile and can be easily damaged by loud sounds, wind, or rough handling. They’re best used in controlled, quiet environments.

Ribbon mics produce low output, so you’ll need a high-gain preamp to bring audio to usable levels. This can add cost and complexity to your setup.

Many ribbon mics have a figure-8 pattern, meaning they pick up sound equally from the front and back while rejecting noise from the sides.

This can be ok for capturing two people sitting across from each other but also means they might catch more room noise than a cardioid-pattern mic.

Top Ribbon Mics To Podcast With

Royer R-121 – A classic ribbon mic known for its balanced, natural sound and smooth highs.

Beyerdynamic M160 – Offers a warm, detailed sound; great for vocals and instruments, and more durable than many ribbon mics.

AEA R84 – Known for its vintage character, smooth sound, and versatile use for vocals or instruments.

Choosing the Right Microphone for Your Podcast

To wrap it up, Dynamic microphones are your go-to for most podcasting situations—they’re durable, versatile, and great at isolating voices.

Condenser microphones can be an option if you’re in a quiet, acoustically treated space, but they tend to pick up too much room noise for most podcasters.

Ribbon mics, though not as commonly used in podcasting, can provide a unique, warm sound if used in the right conditions.

By understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each type, you’ll be well-equipped to choose the best microphone for your podcast needs.

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