Tips & Tricks

Condenser vs Dynamic Mic: Key Differences You Should Know

Condenser vs dynamic mic: compare shape, how each one works and how they look, then see where to buy a condenser microphone from Goshen Swara Indonesia.

Two microphones of different sizes and colors placed on a table.
AI illustration

When you go to buy a microphone, the seller will probably ask whether you want a dynamic one or a condenser one. If you're a beginner, that question can be confusing. So if you're looking for the best condenser mic, you need to know how the two types differ. Read on for the full rundown.

Differences Between Dynamic and Condenser Mics You Should Know

Shure KSM9 condenser microphone

  1. Shape

In general, the first difference between the two microphones is their shape. A dynamic microphone is large. Inside it are a coil and a magnet. A dynamic mic also has a diaphragm made of thin plastic, which moves the coil inside it.

A condenser microphone, on the other hand, is round and small. Inside the best condenser mics are two very thin plates. These plates act as the diaphragm that picks up vibrations from outside, or vibrations created by differences in air pressure.

  1. Technical Differences

Technically, a condenser mic has plates that pick up vibrations. The vibrations the plates receive let the mic respond to distant sounds and to high-frequency sounds. As for how it works, it doesn't operate unless voltage is supplied. This differs from a dynamic mic, which works once it is connected to a mic preamp.

A dynamic mic, meanwhile, works on a principle much like a speaker's. It has an impedance of 600 ohms and turns sound vibrations into electrical voltage, which is then sent on and amplified by the mic preamp.

  1. Physical Differences

When you're looking for the best condenser mic, you should also know what this type looks like physically. The differences between the two microphones are easy to see. A condenser microphone is simpler, lighter, and smaller. A dynamic mic looks larger and a bit heavier.

Those are the clearly visible differences between the two microphones. Now, when you buy a mic, you'll be able to tell them apart. If you want to buy a condenser microphone, you can get one through Goshen Swara Indonesia. For more about the mic types, visit the website goshen.co.id.