14 Capacitor / Condenser Once you start to get serious about recording, you'll find that a capacitor - or condenser - mic will find its way onto your shopping list.
Dynamic mics are great for live use but can sound a bit dull in a recording studio. It's all to do with the 'polar response' of a mic.
That's how it responds to sound from different directions.
Directional mics, like most dynamic ones and some condensers, have a polar response known as a 'cardioid' pattern because it's shaped a bit like a heart.
Other condenser mics will have an omnidirectional pattern.
They pick up sound equally from all directions and that's why they're better suited to professional environments.
Capacitor mics require power to operate.
Some will take an internal battery but others need to be powered remotely from the mixing desk.
Microphones can be fed power down the cable connecting them to a mixer by a system known as 'phantom power.'
It's a cool method because it won't damage microphones that don't need additional power (like dynamic ones) but will supply ones that do.
Make sure your desk can supply phantom power if you're buying a condenser mic that won't take batteries.
You should be able to pick up a decent quality capacitor/condenser mic for about £200.
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