What’s the Best Instrument Microphone for Me? |
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If you’re looking for the best microphone to amplify your instrument on stage, then you’ll notice pretty quickly that there’s a lot to choose from. In this Guide, we’ll help you find the instrument microphone that best fits your performance style and instrument. If you have a question that you can’t find the answer to here, feel free to contact us! 1. What’s an Instrument Microphone?Instrument microphones are, in one way or another, specifically designed to amplify or record a musical instrument. Some instrument microphones, for example, come fitted with a special clip so that they can be directly mounted onto your instrument. Often, the frequency response of these microphones can be adjusted to emphasise the timbre of your instrument and filter out unnecessary frequencies. The instrument microphones we’ll be looking at in this guide are generally designed to amplify an instrument during a live performance. If you’re looking for the best microphone to record instruments with, then we recommend taking a look at our Studio Microphone Buyer’s Guide. Instrument Microphones (Condenser)
2. What Kind of Instrument Microphones Are There?Just as with other microphones, like vocal mikes, the first big difference is between dynamic and condenser microphones. Dynamic microphones don’t require any power to function, and since they’re not very sensitive, they’re much better at amplifying louder instruments, like drums, wind instruments, and guitar amplifiers. Condenser microphones require phantom power in order to function, are much more sensitive than dynamic microphones, and generally have a more natural feeling sound, making them excellent for amplifying instruments like acoustic guitars, other stringed instruments, and flutes, or pianos. There are also many microphones available that have, for example, a frequency response, sensitivity, and/or construction that’s been specifically designed for a specific (kind of ) instrument. Tip: when browsing through instrument microphones on our site, you can use the ‘Especially for’ filter to quickly find a microphone that’s been made for a specific instrument. Instrument Microphones (Condenser)
3. Can You Get Wireless Instrument Microphones?Absolutely! Many condenser instrument microphones have been made so they can be used with a wireless system. Instead of a standard XLR plug, they have a plug that can be connected to a ‘beltpack’ or ‘bodypack - these are small transmitters that can often be neatly clipped on your belt. The type of plug can vary depending on the make and model. For example, Sennheiser models have a locking 3.5mm TRS mini-jack plug; AKG models have a mini-XLR plug, and Shure models have a TA4F plug (a mini-XLR plug with 4 pins). There are single microphones available as well as complete wireless systems. These systems usually include a receiver, bodypack transmitter, and an instrument microphone. All you’d need to buy alongside a system like this is maybe some batteries for the transmitter and a cable to connect the receiver to a sound system. Depending on the kind of ports that your receiver and sound system come fitted with, you’ll need either an XLR or 6.3mm jack cable. If you’re putting together your own wireless system, make sure to get a microphone that can be connected to a bodypack, so not a microphone with a standard XLR socket. Remember that each bodypack make and model usually has its own specific ports. Some manufacturers don’t actually make wireless systems, and only make microphones designed for wireless systems made by other companies. In that case, it’s usually clearly stated which kind of system the microphone is compatible with. Complete Wireless Microphone Systems
4. How Do You Connect an Instrument Microphone to a Mixer?Normal instrument microphones are fitted with a 3-pin XLR socket so they can be connected directly to a mixer using an XLR cable. Most mixers are also able to provide phantom power if your microphone needs it. Instrument microphones that have been designed for wireless systems unfortunately don’t come fitted with standard XLR sockets, and if they need phantom power to function, they usually need a much lower voltage than the standard 48V. But, using a special adapter, you can essentially fit your microphone with a regular XLR plug, connect it to your mixer, and convert the phantom power of your mixer to the level that your microphone needs.
5. Can I Also Use Instrument Microphones as a Vocal Microphone?When amplifying vocals, it’s usually better to use a real vocal/speech microphone. But if you don’t have the budget for two microphones, or it’s simply not practical, then you could use a universal dynamic instrument microphone. However, it’s worth noting that these microphones offer a lot less protection against the air displacement caused by plosives (these are the little ‘gusts of wind’ caused by the hard ‘P’ or ‘B’ sound of speech and vocals), than standard vocal microphones, so using a windshield isn’t a bad idea. Universal Dynamic Instrument Microphones
6. What Pickup Pattern Should My Microphone Have?Cardioid microphones focus on the sound coming from the front, and pick up less sound coming from the rear. Since these microphones can be pointed directly at your instrument, they’re better at countering crosstalk and feedback - definitely useful if there’s a floor monitor set up in front of you. Supercardioid and hypercardioid microphones are even more focussed than regular cardioid models. They also pick up a little of the sound coming from the rear but are the least sensitive to sound projected at an angle from the rear. This is useful for better isolating the sound of your instrument from the rest of the instruments on stage. Omnidirectional microphones pick up sound coming from all angles and sides. As such, they deliver a really natural sound, especially when placed really close to the instrument. Condenser Microphones: cardioïde, super, hyper, omni
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