Hand-Held Microphones and XLR Mic Cables

From studio recording to vlogging, choosing the right microphone comes down to the application you’re using it for. If you’re just starting out, investing in a high-end mic isn’t necessary; however, you should consider all components of your recording setup, including audio interface, preamp, and acoustic treatment. Luckily, there are plenty of budget-friendly mics that are great for recording, as well as portable mics that are suitable for taking on the go. No matter which type of microphone you choose, make sure it’s the best one for your application and you’ll be on your way to achieving professional-level audio recordings!

Anyone in the music industry will benefit immensely from the use of hand-held microphones and XLR microphone cables. The ability to set up where you want and move around on stage is essential to most singers and performers. Many public speakers such as pastors or motivational speakers also find the mobility of a handheld microphone to be useful. The XLR cable provides a superior connection between the microphone and the equipment to which it is attached.

Hand-held microphones are a good choice for studio recording. They are the best choice for anyone who wants to move around during their performance. Their lightweight design combined with their sound quality cannot be matched by a heavier stationary microphone. You can move around without putting your sound quality in jeopardy. Hand-held mics come in a wide variety of polar (pick-up) patterns as well as levels of gain (sensitivity.) The 2 main types of hand-held microphones are dynamic and condenser. Dynamic mics tend to have less gain but are usually more durable than a condenser mic. This makes them great for traveling musicians and for places where dropping the mic might happen. Condenser mics have greater gain and a superior sound quality, but require the use of what is known as phantom power which is usually a switch located on the sound board or mixer that sends a 48v power source through the XLR cable. Condenser mics are less rugged than dynamic mics and should not be used in places where the microphone may be mishandled or dropped.

Hand-held mics come in both wired and wireless versions. While wireless versions are appealing, the cost of a good wireless microphone can be excessive. When comparing the price, one can expect to spend 4 times more on a wireless mic to achieve the same sound quality as its wired counterpart. Plus, you will have the constant expense of batteries for a wireless mic as well as the worry of the batteries going dead in the middle of a show. When using a wireless microphone, you may also get interference from other radio signals. XLR cables are essential when using a wired microphone. Using a cable with a ¼” connector will not provide as good of a sound quality as a 3-pin XLR cable. Not only that, cables with a ¼” connector tend to weigh more and they simply are not designed for use with a microphone. XLR cables are also more durable than other types of sound cables. This is extremely important for live performances.

Are there a lot of different kinds of microphones?

Yes. Dynamic and condenser are the 2 main types of microphones. Both of these main types of microphones have sub-types as well. These could be broken down into 5 sub-types… Handheld, shock mount, shotgun, head-worn, and lavalier (clip-on). Handheld comes in both wired and wireless models. Headworn and lavalier are always wireless, though they may include some wires from the bodypack transmitter to the microphone. Shock mount and shotgun mics are always wired. Most microphones are designed for vocals, but there are specific types of microphones designed for use with instruments and these are usually specific to the instrument being played, for instance, drum mics.

What is the difference between dynamic and condenser microphones?

Dynamic microphones do not require power. Condenser mics require what’s known as phantom power which delivers 48v of power through the mic cable to the mic. Many soundboards have a button for phantom power. There are also external boxes to supply this power. A good condenser mic will provide a clearer sound than its dynamic counterpart, but they are much more expensive and fragile. Drop it a couple of times and you have an expensive paperweight.

Which microphone should I use?

That depends on what you are using the microphone for. For live performances, most professional singers and instrumentalists choose a dynamic microphone. Some singers will use a head-worn mic, but to get a head-worn mic with good feedback rejection (necessary for a live performance) will cost a lot of money. For studio use, many artists choose a shock mount microphone which has a crisper, clearer sound which works well for recording. For speaking engagements, it will depend on if you like to move around a lot or stand in one spot at a podium. If you are moving around a lot, a lavalier or head-worn microphone might be your best choice. But if you are going to be standing in one spot at a podium a microphone known as a shotgun mic will be optimal because these mics are designed to pick up audio from 3 – 5 feet away.

Which is better…a wireless or wired mic?

In short, the wired version of a microphone is almost always better than the wireless version. For instance, Shure makes both a wired and wireless version of their SM58 microphone. While they are both great mics, the wired version has a richer tone when the EQ is set to ∞. But the full answer is a bit more complicated. Price points should play a part in making this decision. There are lots of great wired mics for $150 or less. Very few, if any wireless mics costing less than $300 are any good. Cheap wireless mics almost always have a “tin can” sound and poor feedback rejection. If you are using your mic for live stage, you should be prepared to spend a minimum of $300 for a wireless mic. If you are using a head-worn microphone for live stage, the price will go up considerably to get a microphone with good feedback rejection. But if you are using a head-worn or lavalier microphone for a speaking engagement where there will not be a lot of background noise, a decent mic can be purchased for around $200. A definite must to consider is the battery life of a wireless mic. Also, keep in mind that the hours listed are usually just like your cell phone. When a microphone says the battery can last up to 9 hours, that means if the mic is left on, but not used, the battery will last 9 hours. In a real-life situation, the battery will last 3 – 5 hours. Some wireless mics are rechargeable. While this may sound appealing since you won’t have to purchase batteries all the time, this so-called feature can also be an incumbrance because if the battery dies mid-show the microphone cannot be used until it is recharged.

Can my XLR microphone be plugged into my computer?

If it is a dynamic microphone the answer is yes. You can purchase an XLR to USB cable for this purpose.