Large-diaphragm condenser microphones are excellent all-round microphones for the studio and, to a lesser degree, the stage. These microphones are extremely sensitive and generally shape a neutral sound that doesn't get sterile, making them perfect for capturing anything from acoustic guitars to vocals.
How a Studio Condenser Microphone Works
Every condenser microphone features a wafer-thin diaphragm and a metal back plate mounted a very short distance from one another. Together, they form a condenser: an electrical component that can store an electric charge. The diaphragm is so thin that even really weak air waves will rock it back and forth, constantly changing the distance between the diaphragm and the back plate and, with it, the capacity of the condenser. This way, a condenser microphone turns audio into electricity.
Condenser Microphones: Large Diaphragm and Small Diaphragm Models
Compared to a small-diaphragm condenser microphone, a large-diaphragm condenser microphone has a higher output and therefore a better signal-to-noise ratio. On the flip side, large-diaphragm condenser microphones are a little less accurate and detailed than their small diaphragm counterparts, but at the same time, that's exactly what makes them loved by so many artists and engineers. In other words, large-diaphragm condenser microphones sound richer and fuller, and lightly round off sonic peaks. If you're looking for a microphone that offers true-to-life sound and maximum detail, a small-diaphragm condenser microphone is the better choice. For more, check out the rest of our range of Microphones.
Hooking Up Condenser Microphones: Phantom Power
Condenser microphones require power, and not only to electrically charge the diaphragm and back plate, but to ensure the microphone has the capacity to send the signal over to your mixer or audio interface via a microphone cable. In most cases, the power is supplied by the audio device the condenser microphone is plugged into. This is called phantom power, and it needs to be switched off before plugging a microphone in. The same goes for unplugging the microphone: always turn off the phantom power supply before disconnecting the microphone.
More Than Cardioid
Condenser microphones are available with different pickup patterns. The cardioid pickup pattern is by far the most common, but you'll also find omnidirectional and bidirectional (figure-of-8) microphones in our range. Some large-diaphragm condenser microphones even feature a double diaphragm and come fitted with a switch so you can toggle between different pickup patterns - a feature that not many small-diaphragm condenser microphones offer. On the other hand, there are various small-diaphragm condenser microphones that have a swappable microphone capsule, allowing you to mount a capsule with a different pickup pattern as needed.
Frequently Asked Questions About Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphones
How do I hook up a condenser microphone?
Just as with most other microphones, you'll need an XLR microphone cable. Make sure to switch off your phantom power supply and turn the gain all the way down before you connect your microphone, and do the same in reverse order before you unplug it again.
How does an XLR condenser microphone work?
The diaphragm and back plate of a large diaphragm condenser microphone form a condenser that can temporarily store electricity. The distance between the diaphragm and back plate determines the capacity, so when the diaphragm is vibrated by sound, the capacitance fluctuates, converting the sound into an electrical signal.
