If you’ve been shopping for a microphone, you’ve probably noticed that microphones are often divided into two big categories:
Dynamic microphones and condenser microphones.
Both can sound excellent. Both are used by professionals.
But they work differently, and that difference can matter when you’re recording a podcast, vocals, instruments, or videos.
Dynamic microphones are especially popular in podcast studios. They’re also everywhere on concert stages, in radio stations, and in broadcasting. There’s a good reason for that.
They’re generally tough, simple to use, and well suited to close-up recording. For someone recording a podcast in a normal bedroom or home office, a dynamic microphone can often be a practical choice.
So what exactly is a dynamic microphone? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is a Dynamic Microphone?
A dynamic microphone is a type of microphone that converts sound into an electrical signal using electromagnetic induction.
That definition sounds more complicated than the microphone actually is.
When you speak into a typical moving-coil dynamic microphone, your voice creates sound waves. Those sound waves reach a thin diaphragm inside the microphone. The diaphragm moves.
A small coil attached to it moves within a magnetic field, creating an electrical signal that represents the sound.
That signal can then travel through your recording equipment and eventually become the audio you hear through headphones or speakers. You don’t need to understand the physics to use one.
The important thing is that dynamic microphones use a relatively simple and durable design that works very well for many types of recording.
Why Are Dynamic Microphones So Popular?
Dynamic microphones are everywhere. Go to a live concert and the singer may be holding one. Watch a podcast and you’ll often see dynamic microphones sitting in front of the hosts.
Walk into a radio studio and you’ll probably find them there too. One reason is durability.
Dynamic microphones are generally built to handle regular use and relatively high sound pressure levels.
They’re also well suited to situations where the microphone can be positioned close to the sound source.
For podcasting, that’s exactly what you normally want. You put the microphone relatively close to your mouth and speak directly into its active area. This helps your voice sound strong compared with noises farther away in the room.
Dynamic Mic vs. Condenser Mic
This is probably the most common microphone comparison. A condenser microphone typically uses a lighter, more sensitive diaphragm system and active electronics. Condensers are often excellent at capturing fine detail.
Dynamic microphones work differently and are often less sensitive than many studio condensers.
Does that mean condenser microphones sound better?
No. It means they’re suited to different situations.
Imagine you’re recording vocals in a quiet, acoustically treated studio. A good condenser microphone can capture tiny details in the performance.
Now imagine you’re recording a podcast in your bedroom.
- There’s traffic outside.
- Your computer fan is running.
- The room has hard walls.
A dynamic microphone used close to your mouth may be easier to work with. That doesn’t mean dynamic microphones somehow delete background noise. They don’t.
But close microphone placement and the characteristics of many popular dynamic podcast microphones can help you achieve a useful balance between your voice and the surrounding room.
Are Dynamic Microphones Good for Podcasting?
Yes. In fact, some of the most recognizable podcast and broadcast microphones are dynamic microphones.
One famous example is the Shure SM7B. It’s been used for broadcasting, podcasting, vocals, and studio recording for decades.
But you don’t need an expensive microphone to get started. More affordable dynamic microphones can also produce very good spoken-word recordings.
Models such as the Samson Q2U, Audio-Technica ATR2100x-USB, RØDE PodMic, and Shure MV7 series are popular choices for podcasting.
The right choice depends on your budget, connections, room, and workflow.
Dynamic Microphones and Background Noise
You’ll often hear someone say: “Buy a dynamic microphone because it doesn’t pick up background noise.” That’s not completely accurate.
A microphone doesn’t understand the difference between your voice and unwanted noise. If a truck drives past your window loudly enough, your microphone can record it. What matters is the relationship between your voice and everything else.
Suppose you’re speaking two or three inches from the microphone. Your voice reaches it very strongly. The air conditioner sitting across the room is much farther away.
You can set your recording level around your close voice instead of trying to capture someone sitting several feet away.
That can help make distant sounds less noticeable. But your recording environment still matters. A quieter room will almost always make your life easier.
Do Dynamic Microphones Need Phantom Power?
Most moving-coil dynamic microphones don’t require phantom power. That’s one difference beginners often notice when comparing them with XLR condenser microphones.
Many condenser microphones need 48V phantom power supplied by an audio interface, mixer, or microphone preamp.
A typical passive dynamic microphone doesn’t. You connect it to the appropriate microphone input and provide enough gain.
There are exceptions and more specialized microphone designs, so you should always check the manufacturer’s instructions for your particular microphone. Don’t assume every microphone works exactly the same way.
Dynamic Microphones Can Need Plenty of Gain
Here’s something important. Some dynamic microphones produce relatively low output levels.
That means your audio interface or microphone preamp may need to provide a fair amount of clean gain to bring your voice to a healthy recording level.
The Shure SM7B is a well-known example of a microphone that has traditionally been associated with relatively high gain requirements.
Depending on the microphone and interface combination, some people use an inline microphone preamp or booster to provide additional clean gain. But don’t automatically buy one.
Modern audio interfaces can vary considerably in how much clean gain they provide. Check your microphone’s requirements and test your setup before spending more money.
If you’re using a USB dynamic microphone, much of this may be handled inside the microphone itself.
Dynamic Doesn’t Mean Cardioid
Here’s another common misunderstanding. Dynamic and cardioid don’t mean the same thing. Dynamic describes the microphone’s operating principle. Cardioid describes its directional pickup pattern.
A microphone can be both dynamic and cardioid. In fact, many podcast microphones are. But dynamic microphones can use other polar patterns too.
For example, some dynamic microphones use omnidirectional, supercardioid, or hypercardioid patterns. When shopping, think about the two specifications separately.
Dynamic = how the microphone works.
Polar pattern = where the microphone is most sensitive to sound.
Understanding this makes microphone specifications much easier to read.
How Close Should You Be to a Dynamic Mic?
Dynamic microphones used for spoken-word recording often work well when they’re relatively close to your mouth.
The exact distance depends on the microphone, your voice, and the sound you’re trying to create.
Start several inches away.
- Record yourself.
- Listen back.
- Move closer.
- Record again.
Then try moving slightly farther away. You’ll quickly hear the difference. Don’t rely entirely on someone else’s recommended distance.
Experiment until you find a position that gives you a clear voice without excessive plosives or an overly bass-heavy sound.
What Is the Proximity Effect?
Many directional dynamic microphones exhibit something known as the proximity effect.
As you move closer to the microphone, bass frequencies can become more pronounced. Your voice may sound deeper and warmer.
That’s part of the classic close-up broadcast sound many people associate with radio and podcasting.
But there’s a limit. Get too close and your voice may become overly boomy. You’ll also be more likely to produce plosives.
These are those unpleasant bursts you sometimes hear when someone says words beginning with P or B.
A pop filter or foam windscreen can help. Speaking slightly across the microphone instead of blasting air directly into it can help too.
Final Thoughts
A dynamic microphone is a microphone that commonly uses a moving diaphragm, coil, and magnetic field to convert sound into an electrical signal. The design is simple, reliable, and useful for everything from live music to podcasting.
For podcasters, dynamic microphones are particularly attractive because many models work well for close-up spoken-word recording and can be practical in ordinary home environments.
They also come in USB and XLR versions, giving beginners and experienced creators plenty of choices.
But don’t get trapped in the dynamic-versus-condenser debate. Neither technology automatically makes a microphone good or bad.
The right microphone is the one that fits your voice, recording environment, equipment, and budget.
If you’re recording a podcast at home and want a straightforward microphone that works well close to your voice, a good dynamic mic is one of the easiest places to start.