The budgetary question is probably the easiest to answer because you know whether you can spend 1,500 dollars for one microphone or can afford only 250 dollars. The application question is a little trickier. Let’s look at two scenarios the solo singersongwriter and the fourpiece ensemble. A personal studio can get by with as few as one or two microphones. If you’re a songwriter who plays acoustic guitar but are planning to record the voice and guitar separately, you can probably get by with one microphone. A good choice in this case would be a condenser microphone with a midsize diaphragm, because it will capture the warmth of the voice, as well as the extended frequency range of the acoustic guitar.

A directional mic, such as one with a cardioid or hyper cardioid pattern, would be best if you want to capture more direct sound than room tone. Fortunately, advances in microphone technology as well as a highly competitive market and overseas manufacturing have brought down the price of mics with large and midsize diaphragms, so that prices start below 200 dollars. Higher priced mics usually give you quieter electronics, better frequency response, and an overall smoother sound. The frequency response of a microphone is depicted in a graph of frequency vs. relative output level. As a sound source approaches a directional mic, the proximity effect boosts the low end. Notice the presence peak between 2 and 10 kHz.

But don’t let price be the only factor in choosing a mic. Try out as many mics in your price range as possible, and even some that are out of your price range so that you can gain some perspective. There might be times when a 500 dollars microphone will sound better to you than a microphone costing more than twice that amount. If you need two mics, you might consider getting one condenser and one dynamic, both with directional pickup patterns. Or, if you plan to record in a quiet, good sounding room, an omnidirectional condenser would be a good choice for one of the mics. This would allow you to take advantage of the room’s acoustics as you record.