Music Glossary

Condenser Microphone

A sensitive, detailed mic needing phantom power, favoured for studio recording.

A condenser microphone is a type of microphone prized for its sensitivity and detailed, accurate sound, making it a studio favourite for recording vocals and acoustic instruments. It works using a thin, electrically charged diaphragm and requires phantom power to operate, which is why it must be plugged into an interface or mixer that supplies it. Condensers capture subtle detail and high frequencies beautifully, but their sensitivity also means they pick up room noise and reflections readily, so they are best used in a quiet, treated space. They contrast with dynamic microphones, which are tougher and less sensitive, and the two suit different jobs in recording.

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