With the extraordinary advance of remote work and virtuality in many environments, many users discovered the need to update their equipment and move up a step from basic webcams and integrated microphones. A simple Google search reveals that several sales portals widely promote so-called condenser microphones, without going too deep into their technical profile. Today we are going to explore how a condenser microphone works, and how it compares to a dynamic microphone.
Another Zoom session, another remote meeting... and all participants sound as if they were locked in a tank. There are many things we can do to improve the audio quality. Eliminate microphone noise, optimize our environment, and even practice to make our voice have a better balance are basic recommendations, but there is also the option to update the hardware, and many portals repeat to exhaustion the phrase "condenser microphone". What exactly are they talking about?
(Editor's note: The video is in English, but it mainly serves to detect sound differences between microphones)
What is a condenser microphone and how does it work?
Before entering that territory, it is more convenient to explain the operation of a dynamic microphone. In relaxed terms, these microphones use a system composed of a diaphragm, a coil, and a magnet. Sound waves hit the diaphragm causing it to vibrate, and the coil connected to the back of the diaphragm vibrates with it. The coil is surrounded by a magnetic field generated by the magnet. The movement of the coil within this magnetic field is what generates the electrical signal recorded by our devices.
In contrast, the condenser microphone (also called capacitor microphone, or electrostatic microphone) is formed by an electrically charged construction of a movable diaphragm and a fixed back plate. In other words, a capacitor/condenser. When this assembly is charged, an electric field arises between the diaphragm and the back plate, proportional to the space separating both elements. It is the variation of that space (due to the movement of the diaphragm) that produces the electrical signal associated with the sound captured by the condenser microphone.
So, which one is better?
A question that is repeated a lot, but it is not entirely valid. Each type of microphone has its strengths and weaknesses, therefore, your responsibility as a user is to identify which one fits your needs.
The dynamic microphone has the advantage of a simpler and more robust construction, greater resistance to humidity, good handling of especially noisy sounds, and some rejection of background noise. On the other side of the coin we find low sensitivity (leading to a lower output), and a more limited frequency response. If you want your voice to have a bit more of that broadcast/podcast effect, you should consider a dynamic microphone.
On the other hand, the condenser microphone has a more complete frequency response, greater sensitivity, they are more "omnidirectional", and are usually identified with a "natural" sound. However, they tend to be more fragile, their internal electronics can generate a bit of additional noise, they require a "potential" to work (in essence, a battery or other similar source), and they are more exposed to saturation. If you have superior acoustic control in your environment, the condenser microphone will work very well.
Source: Shure
