Top Dynamic Microphones - The Core Of Every Recording Studio

Last Updated: December-07-2018 In our latest review of this major dynamic microphone article, we decided the models in our chart still stood up to scrutiny and therefore left it as it was! However, we still made several changes to the main article content to bring it up to date for winter 2018.

Walk into any studio or glance at any stage, and chances are you will see a dynamic microphone – a key tool in modern audio recording. Due to the way they are made, dynamic mics tend to be more affordable and durable than a condenser mic, as well as offering a couple of other pluses. In today’s article we are going to highlight our favorite dynamic mics, spanning all price ranges, to hopefully inspire you when shopping for a new one! Stick around after the chart, where we will take a look at everything a dynamic mic has to offer producers, performers and engineers. Let’s dive straight into the chart!

Top 10 Best Dynamic Microphones

What is a Dynamic Microphone?

Let’s start with the basics by taking a look at exactly what a dynamic microphone is! This type of microphone uses electromagnetism to convert sound into an electrical signal that can be used for several applications. In the core of every dynamic mic, you will find three main components: a thin diaphragm, a wire coil and a magnet. In brief, the diaphragm responds to the soundwaves you input (your voice, for example), which in turn move the coil. The magnet picks up the movement of the coil and converts the mechanical movement into an electrical signal. There is plenty more to learn, although that sums it up in its most basic form. Unlike a condenser microphone, dynamic mics are slightly more rugged in their build and cheaper to make, which usually means they are also cheaper to buy. Additionally, they don’t need phantom power or any other power source to operate. Note that, in addition to the moving coil type of dynamic mic we have just described, you will also find ribbon mics. In this style of mic, a thin piece of metal ribbon sits between two magnets. Ribbon mics have a vintage vibe to their sound, making them great for genres like jazz or blues. However, due to their delicate nature, expense and rather niche performance, ribbon mics are nowhere near as mainstream as standard dynamic mics. With this in mind, in the rest of this article we will be referring to the standard moving coil mics when we talk about dynamic microphones.

What are Dynamic Mics Used for?

One of the best things about dynamic microphones is the fact that they are so versatile. You can use them in pretty much any kind of environment, and they get the job done. Even so, there are three main applications where you see a dynamic moving coil microphone as the logical choice: live vocals on stage, recording instruments in a studio, and broadcasting applications. Let’s take a closer look at each one and see why dynamic mics are the preferred choice: Stage Vocals – Singing live on stage requires a considerable amount of know-how from both the performer and audio engineers backstage. Nailing the right level balance between instruments and vocalists, to allow the latter to cut through the mix, takes both knowledge and proper equipment. However, as the stage is one of the most hostile environments for microphones, a dynamic mic tends to be ideal as they are usually more robust than any other type. In addition, their ability to handle higher sound pressure levels (SPL) means that you don’t have to fret over your volume levels – especially if you are the leadman (or woman) for a metal band! Finally, the fact that they are more affordable is good news, as micing up several vocalists and instruments can soon add up! Studio Instruments – Despite being a key player on stage, dynamic microphones are also often used for several studio applications. For example, recording acoustic instruments and guitar amps in a studio is one of the most popular uses for a dynamic mic. Again, this is largely down to the high SPL – if you are working with loud instruments that create a lot of sound pressure (such as drumkits, bass guitars or brass) dynamic mics are usually the go-to choice. If, however, you are trying to capture subtler details, a quality condenser mic might be a better choice, providing it can handle the increased SPL. Studio Vocals – While condenser microphones are undoubtedly the number one choice for recording vocalists, dynamic mics still have their place, especially for recording big, loud and aggressive vocals (rock, metal and other genres in that region). In fact, Michael Jackson recorded the vocals to Thriller with a Shure SM7 dynamic mic. If it was good enough for the King of Pop… Meanwhile, dynamic mics are also very popular for studio broadcasting applications, such as radio stations, podcasting, YouTubing, and voiceover work. They are favorites for live broadcasting for many reasons, although the fact that they are so good at rejecting unwanted ambient noises (such as air conditioning) – which can ruin the quality of a live broadcast – is usually reason enough for most studio engineers.

How to Choose the Right Dynamic Mic for You?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions when people shop for dynamic microphones. Unfortunately, the answer isn’t as easy as just naming a brand and model. You have to answer a couple of questions before you start your search. Firstly, what are intending to do with that microphone – stage or studio work? Are you recording vocals or instruments, or both? How large is your budget? How many mics do you need? Depending on how you answer these questions, you will find that certain models fit you better than others.

Polar Patterns and How They Impact Performance

One term you will undoubtedly run into a lot on your search for the best dynamic mic is ‘polar pattern’. In simple terms, a polar pattern defines the field around the microphone, from which the sound will be picked up. In the context of dynamic mics, there are generally two polar patterns that you should know about: cardioid and supercardioid patterns. Cardioid patterns pick up the sound that comes from the front of the mic, while limiting the sensitivity to sounds coming from other areas around the mic. Cardioid is the standard for dynamic mics because, in most cases, you don’t want noise from behind the mic to be in your recording. Supercardioid patterns are even more focused on the noise coming from the front and do a better job of rejecting off-axis sound. The main disadvantage with a supercardioid pattern is that they tend to be more sensitive to sounds coming from the rear of the mic, which can create issues in a live setting. Depending on the type of application you have in mind, you’ll find that one of these two polar patterns will be the right one. While most professionals will have several different models at their disposal, if you are just starting out, you can’t really go wrong with a standard cardioid pattern, which offers the best performance and the most flexibility.

The Final Word

At the end of the day, dynamic microphones are the most versatile piece of gear you can have at your disposal, especially if capturing live audio is your goal. The ten models we have highlighted in the chart above are by far some of the best dynamic mics on the market today, whatever your specific application. All that’s left to do now is to determine your intended use, create a shortlist, read some reviews, then make an informed decision. Good luck!

If you need more help with setting up your studio, check out the related buying guides for recording gear: Studio Monitors Studio Headphones Audio Interfaces Microphones: Condenser|USB Laptops For Music Production MIDI Controllers DAW Software