Mic & recording basics
Key answers from:
What‘s the purpose of a pop filter when recording vocals?
Trevor / If you‘re using a microphone for speech or vocals, a pop filter is an essential accessory. It‘s a simple device that helps reduce plosives („B“and „P“) in your voice. These specific consonants cause excessive sound pressure that overloads the sensitive diaphragm of the capsule and ruins your recording with unpleasant „pops“. To be effective, the capsule should be placed between 10 and 15 cm from the microphone. The Sontronics STC-2, 20 and 3X packs all include a special pop filter that attaches to the shockmount and has the perfect distance from the microphone.
What is the difference between dynamic microphones and condenser microphones?
Trevor / Dynamic microphones, like the Sontronics SOLO and CORONA, use a simple diaphragm and electromagnetic coil to reproduce your voice or instrument as an audio signal. The physical mass of a dynamic capsule means that it is naturally less sensitive to quieter sounds. However, they are physically very robust and can handle very high sound pressure levels (SPLs) without distorting the signal. For this reason, they are often used in live sound applications.
Condenser microphones like the Sontronics STC-20 and the ORPHEUS use a very sensitive capsule connected to electronic amplification circuitry. In order to function, the electronic circuitry requires a power source, usually 48V DC, known as „phantom power.“Condenser microphones are extremely sensitive and can pick up and reproduce audio signals with extremely high detail. For this reason, they are often found in recording studios where high sound quality is essential.