Are Condenser Mics Good For Podcasts

The key to a successful podcast is clear and crisp audio and condenser microphones excel at that.

Saying that condenser mics are superior to all the other types of microphones, including dynamic mics when it comes to audio quality is not wrong. It’s because the design of these microphones is centered around one idea which is to offer crisp, clear, and high-definition audio. So, for an audio-focused application like podcasts, these microphones work like a charm.

Employing a condenser mic in your podcast setup will certainly improve the sound quality significantly. The wide dynamic range, high sensitivity, and large diaphragm of these mics ensure that they capture nuances in the voices of guests you invite and reproduce them as authentically and naturally as possible.

Why Should You Use a Condenser Microphone For Podcasts?

When it comes to the sound quality of condenser microphones, there are several factors at play that offer them an edge over other types of microphones. These include but are not limited to the following:

1. Sensitivity

Understanding the sensitivity of a microphone is a bit tricky but to put it simply it defines how sensitive a microphone is to different frequencies. For example, a microphone with higher sensitivity will be more likely to capture low or faint notes of the sound source compared to one that has low sensitivity.

Sensitivity may not be as important when you are dealing with loud sounds such as musical instruments. However, when it comes to applications like podcasts where you invite speakers with different voices and tones, it becomes of utmost importance. You have to ensure that the microphone is sensitive enough to capture all the voice notes accurately, even when speakers have the faintest of voices. 

Condenser microphones, by virtue of their design, are more sensitive. They feature a delicate capsule that reacts to even the slightest bits of sounds, a complete contrast to a dynamic mic. Furthermore, it eliminates the need for a preamp to boost the lower frequencies and thereby produces audio that is natural and free of coloration.

2. Dynamic Range

Dynamic range is the ability of a microphone to record the lowest and highest possible frequency from a sound source. It is an important parameter to consider when a single microphone has to be used for a variety of voices. Fortunately, condenser mics typically have a higher dynamic range than dynamic microphones, allowing you to capture all the voice notes of speakers you invite on a podcast.

The reasons for their high dynamic range come down to the mass and sensitivity of the diaphragm, electret material, and internal preamplification. As mentioned earlier, the diaphragm is made of lightweight material which allows it to capture both loud and faint frequencies. Furthermore, electret material detects even the slightest change in the voltage and transmits it forward as the sound signal. 

Lastly, the internal preamplification is carried out by the Phantom Power supplied to the condenser microphone. It boosts the lower signals to ensure no frequency or not go unrecorded.

3. Frequency Response

Frequency response describes how a microphone reacts to different sounds within its dynamic range. You will encounter some mics that respond to lower notes better than the higher notes, and vice versa. It is the frequency response that ensures that each microphone or at least a brand has a signature sound.

When you compare dynamic and condenser mics, the condenser mic will typically have a wider frequency response. Furthermore, the goal of a condenser mic is to deliver natural but detailed sound which is ensured by keeping the frequency neutral. It works wonders as a podcast mic because you will not get any coloration in the audio and offers a mesmerizing experience to your audience.

That said, if you invite a large number of female speakers it is good to have a mic that boosts lower notes for added clarity.

4. Transient Response

Transient response is the ability of a microphone to accurately record rapidly changing sound sources and condenser microphones are excellent at it. The lightweight diaphragm of the condenser mics allows it to respond quickly to sound waves and reproduce the results.

A dynamic microphone, on the other hand, lags behind the podcast microphone because of its sturdy but relatively firm capsule construction which prevents it from responding to fast-changing sounds.

5. Low Self Noise

All microphones have self-noise, a noise that they produce in the absence of sound signals. If the self-noise is high, the microphone starts picking up ambient noise in the recording space. It can be a problem while recording a podcast because almost all the time, there will be at least one mic that is not in use. This will produce distortion in the audio, making the experience unpleasant for the audience. 

Fortunately, condenser mics have minimal self-noise, allowing you to record with them in a quiet room even when the speaker is not speaking too loudly.

6. XLR Cable

A true condenser mic cannot work on its own and requires support from other equipment such as an audio interface or a mixer. The connection with these devices is made via XLR Cable, which is specifically designed to transmit sound signals. While an XLR mic can also be dynamic, you can find other options in them too. Whereas, a true condenser mic will always come with an XLR connector and cable.

This entire setup improves the overall audio quality and delivers professional or studio-grade results.. Furthermore, the equipment you will have to purchase to make a condenser mic with XLR cable work will also come in handy when you invite multiple guests and want to record each one of them on a separate and high definition audio track. 

Why Shouldn’t You Use a Condenser Mic For Podcasts?

You now understand the reasons why a condenser microphone is preferred for podcasting recordings, but that is not to say these mics are perfect. There are some serious downsides to them, which may compel some users to not use them. These include the following:

1. Background Noise

The reason what makes the condenser microphones good for recording is exactly what that can play to their disadvantage as well. See, higher sensitivity means that the mic will pick up faint sounds that are not necessarily coming from the source you want to record. It will also capture the room noise coming from other electronics in the recording environment.

While the background noise can be managed by switching to a cardioid pickup pattern and using accessories like shock mount, pop filter, and low pass filters, when compared with dynamic mics, it is often not enough.

You have no choice but to get your room treated or at least employ some DIY techniques to get the best results from the condenser microphones.

2. Not Portable

A condenser mic is good at what it does because of its design, but it also gets some support from other devices too. Again, it can be a disadvantage for users sometimes because without them the mic cannot even work. You must provide external power, also known as phantom power, for a condenser microphone to work. It is supplied via an audio interface or a gadget that can be attached directly to the mic.

Thus, if you want to move your setup you will have to move everything with it which, to say the least, is inconvenient. That said, you can get a USB mic to work around but that will be at the cost of sound quality.

Also, if you are considering using a condenser mic with a Sony A7ii with optimal external mic settings, be aware that while it is feasible, this setup is not portable.

3. Affordability

Condenser microphones are usually more expensive than other types. You also have to purchase additional equipment such as audio interfaces and mixers which are also not cheap. If you are new to the industry you may need the help of an audio engineer to get the setup and going in addition to getting your recording space treated. All these factors pile up the total cost which is often not affordable for users who are just stepping into the podcast industry.

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