Should you buy a microphone? If yes, what type of microphone you should buy? What is the best microphone for vlogging? What is the best microphone for capturing vocals? What is the best budget microphone for beginners? And what type of microphone filmmakers mostly use?

Audio plays a huge role in making any video popular. Audios are as important as visuals in any kind of video production whether you are a big budget Filmmaker or a solo content creator. Though most of the cameras have built in microphone but after using only once, you’ll realize that you aren’t going anywhere using that kind of audio in your footage.

Here comes the microphone, not that pathetic camera mic, I am talking about EXTERNAL MICROPHONES. Now there are so many different types of microphones for different types of purpose and it’s really important to know which one you should use for which because there are a lot people who are using wrong microphones for certain situations. So we are going to break down all of these different types of microphones and let you know which one is going to work best for you.

Dynamic Microphones: Dynamic Microphones are very versatile, from the stage to the studio, these microphones excel in various applications. These microphones are super rugged, it can record a wide variety of sound type and have excellent background noise rejection. The benefits of this microphone is that they have tighter pickup patterns so they tend to pickup anything close to the mic and eliminate other sounds from further away.  If you’ve got bad acoustics in your room, like you’re recording in kitchen or anywhere where you’ve a lot of other sounds going on, this is the mic to get. Dynamic microphones are heavily used in Podcast and music events because it’s only going to pick up vocals that are really close to the microphone. They can handle high sound pressure levels without distortion and are less sensitive to moisture and temperature changes compared to other types of microphones, like condenser microphones.

Condenser microphone: A condenser microphone, also known as a capacitor microphone or large diaphragm condenser microphone. Condenser microphones are known for their sensitivity and accuracy, making them popular choices for studio recording, broadcasting, and other applications where capturing fine details and nuances of sound is crucial. However, due to their sensitivity condenser microphones tend to pick up more background noise compared to dynamic microphones. These microphones require a power source, usually in the form of phantom power supplied by a mixer or audio interface, to operate the internal electronics needed for amplification. Condenser microphones are the go-to choice for vocal recording. Condenser microphones are not as rugged as dynamic microphones, these microphones are more sensitive and have delicate internal components, such as the diaphragm and capacitor. As a result, they may be more susceptible to damage from rough handling, impacts, or environmental factors. Special care must be taken to protect condenser microphones during transport and use to prevent damage. While condenser microphones excel at capturing subtle nuances and low-level sounds, they may not be as well-suited for handling extremely high sound pressure levels. And above all, condenser microphones are a bit more expensive due to their complex construction and precision components.

Shotgun microphones: A shotgun microphone, also known as a boom mic has a long tubular design resembling the shape of a shotgun barrel. These microphones are highly directional microphone designed to pick up sound from a specific direction while rejecting unwanted noise from other directions. They excel in isolating sound sources and minimizing background noise, making them ideal for film and video production, broadcast journalism, and field recording. There are two type of shotgun microphones, one is On camera shotgun microphone and another is Advanced shotgun or boom microphone.

An on-camera shotgun microphone is a type of microphone specifically designed to be mounted on top of a camera, hence its name. On-camera shotgun microphones are designed to be portable and easy to mount on top of DSLR cameras, mirrorless cameras, camcorders, or even smartphones. Their compact size and lightweight construction make them ideal for run-and-gun shooting situations and on-location filming. These microphones are a versatile tool for any videographer or content creator looking to elevate the quality of their audio recordings. These are the best microphone for any type of vlogging, whether it is a travel vlog, food vlog or daily vlog. Compared to larger and more complex audio setups, on-camera shotgun microphone offer a cost effective solution for improving audio quality.

Advanced shotgun microphones feature extended interference tube designs, allowing them to achieve unparalleled directionality and reach. This design ensures that sound is captured from a greater distance while maintaining focus on the desired sound source. Equipped with extended frequency response capabilities, advanced shotgun microphones capture a wider range of frequencies with precision and accuracy. From the deepest lows to the crispest highs, every nuance of the audio is faithfully reproduced, delivering a rich and immersive listening experience. These microphones are mostly used in film and video production to capture high-quality dialogue, ambient sounds, and Foley effects. They are often mounted on boom poles and positioned just out of frame to capture the voices of actors while minimizing background noise.

Lavalier Microphone: Lavalier microphones, also known as lapel microphones or lav mics, are compact and versatile tools that have become so popular in various industries, from filmmaking and broadcast journalism to live performances and public speaking engagements. These microphones are miniature microphones designed to be clipped onto clothing, typically near the speaker’s chest or collar. They are favored for their discreet size, ease of use, and ability to capture clear and focused audio, even in challenging recording environments. Despite their small size, lavalier microphones deliver impressive sound quality and are valued for their versatility in a wide range of recording applications. Now there are two type of lav microphone, one is Wired lav microphone and another is Wireless lav mic.

Using a lavalier microphone with a wire, also known as a wired lav microphone, offers various advantages and disadvantages. These microphones are straightforward to set up and use. These are generally more reliable than their wireless counterparts since they do not rely on radio frequencies or batteries. This makes them less prone to interference or dropout issues, ensuring consistent audio capture. Wired lav microphones are often more affordable than wireless systems, making them a cost-effective option for those on a budget or for situations where multiple microphones are required. The main drawback of wired lav microphones is their limited mobility due to the physical cable connecting the microphone to the recording device. This can restrict the movement of the wearer and may require careful management of the cable to avoid tangling or tripping hazards.

Wireless lav microphones are also comes with various pros and cons. The best things of these microphones are they provide freedom of movement for the wearer since there are no cables tethering them to the recording device. With no cables to manage, users can avoid the hassle of dealing with cable tangles, trip hazards, or limitations on movement. This allows for natural and unrestricted movement during recording sessions, making them ideal for dynamic performances or interviews. These microphones require batteries to power both the microphone transmitter and receiver units. Users need to ensure that the batteries are sufficiently charged or replaced to prevent interruptions during recording sessions. Wireless lav microphone systems are generally more expensive than their wired counterparts due to the additional components, such as transmitters, receivers, and batteries.