What makes a good studio mic?

There are many studio mics out there. And every one of them is good at something. It always depends on what you do with it, and how you use it. That being said, here are some notes about studio mics. And please remember, there are no hard and fast rules, only guidelines and techniques.

Usually, the mics you would find in a studio setting are condenser mics. Condenser mics require +48V and are both physically and sonically sensitive. Some condenser mics use tubes to create the proper signal gain, and some use transistors to accomplish the same thing. Always allow the tube mic to warm up so that the frequency characteristics stabilize.

Why condenser mics? Their sensitivity enables them to capture the widest frequency and dynamic range possible. They will be able to pickup frequencies higher than 20KHz, over and above the typical range of human hearing. The wider the diaghram, the better they will be able to capture the low frequencies, going down past the lowest note on the keyboard.

You can split condensers into two categories: vocal and general use. Most general use mics are 'flat' in their frequency response, and you would use them on instrumentation. An AKG C414 is a good example of this, and that is why it's reputed to be the most recorded mic on the planet. Vocal mics tend to be 'colored' or 'hyped.' This means that there is a calculated boost, usually both in the low and high frequencies. This helps the engineer pull the vocal out of the mix with very little equalization afterwards. A good example of this would be the Neumann U87. A vocalist singing into this mic will experience their voice jumping right out of the speakers.

Most studios will have several mics in their locker, and will audition them on various instruments and singers to determine which is the best match. Remember, nothing is sacred and you can use them where ever you see fit. Sometimes a dynamic or ribbon mic will be best, and don't be afraid to experiment.

Good luck!