A high-quality streaming microphone is among the essential instruments for music events. The technology is constantly evolving, but you must know what features are worth considering. This post will provide tips to help you find the right device for your needs by giving a rundown of the top seven features to keep an eye out for.
Mic type
Microphone type is what determines what kind of sound it produces. Generally, dynamic microphones will produce better sounding audio than condenser mics. However, that is not always true since many vocalists use condenser microphones to affect voice characteristics and low-end frequencies.
Choosing the best streaming microphone will depend on your recording aesthetic requirements. A condenser microphone is a perfect choice to get a clear and balanced sound. On the other hand, if you want to obtain a warm, organic sound rich in bass and mid-tones, consider an electret microphone. Though more expensive than condenser microphones, electret microphones are worth investing in despite the additional cost since they’re cheaper than buying multiple microphones to cover different needs.
Mic length
The type of microphone you choose also depends on whether you plan on using it handheld or as a background mic. If you’re looking for a good one for some demos, consider buying a shorty microphone or handheld one. If you want to use a mic for live streaming, be sure it’s long enough to reach your subject as you stand nearly a few feet away.
Polar pattern
The microphone’s polar pattern describes the nature of sound captured by the device. Most microphones have omnidirectional (Omni) polar patterns, which means they can pick up sound equally from all directions. However, if you only require the mic to function as an instrument or vocalist, consider getting yourself a bi-directional mic so that it picks up audio from above and below while ignoring unwanted background noise from other directions.
Gain
The size of its diaphragm determines the volume of a microphone. Microphones with larger diaphragms tend to produce more sound output, while smaller ones capture less sound. To determine the gain of a microphone, you need to take note of the sensitivity head that goes behind it. Generally, the sensitivity head will determine how audible the mic is when it’s turned on. A low-sensitivity microphone will not produce as much sound when turned on compared to a high-sensitivity model.
Cleaning treatment
Digital microphones can pick up unwanted background noise when they are not cleaned properly. If a recording device is left without cleaning, digital recordings will be affected with tiny little white dots called “snow.” The more snow you will get, the better it sounds. To prevent snow from forming on your microphone, you need to wipe it off regularly using a clean cloth or tissue.
Noise-canceling
If you’re looking for a microphone for live streaming and some interviews, consider getting one with a noise-canceling head. This technology works by picking up the audio and then removing unwanted noise from it so that your subject’s out-of-focus audio sounds clear enough to hear and record.
Motivational feature
This technology keeps the microphone’s diaphragm entirely still as you talk and thus produces quality sound. The software used by your mic can detect your talking pattern to program the mic accordingly so that you don’t have to make any adjustments on your part.
For better audio quality in your recordings and live stream, you need a high-quality microphone. This is also time to give your listeners that professional sound they deserve without breaking the bank.