In the early days of recording, microphones were prohibitively expensive. Only high-priced production studios owned the best models, and the models available to consumers left a good deal to be desired. Over a period of decades, that model changed significantly, and today there is a massive array of quality microphones available for home recorders. Whether you have a total recording budget in the hundreds of dollars or the thousands of dollars, there are quality microphones available to you.

What Are the Best Types of Microphones for Home Studio Recording?

There are three main types of microphones used in recording: dynamic microphones, condenser microphones, and ribbon microphones.

1. Dynamic microphones will be the most familiar model to most music fans. They’re the vocal mics you see at the front of the stage at most rock concerts. Audio engineers value them for being rugged and able to handle extremely high volumes.
2. Condenser microphones are considered the most versatile studio microphones and can be used to record essentially any instrument. They are somewhat more fragile and sonically sensitive than dynamic mics, and they require a small electrical current to operate, so they are less popular in the live setting.
3. Ribbon microphones utilize a very old technology: they produce sound as audio waves encounter a moving ribbon inside the mic. Like condensers, they require external power. They also have a reputation for being fragile. Many vintage ribbon mics cannot handle high volumes; the sound waves will literally break the ribbon. Today’s models are much more versatile and are beloved by studio engineers who value an extremely detailed sound palette.