1. Different Types of Microphones
There are plenty of different microphones that work in different ways in a studio environment.
Different elements of studio recordings will require certain types of microphones to achieve the
highest quality of recordings.
Dynamic Microphones
Dynamic microphones are probably the most common and versatile microphones for general
recording uses. They are relatively simply designed with few moving parts involved. These
microphones are also more appropriate to handle high volume levels. For example, they will deal
better with certain instruments or amplifiers. They don’s contain an internal amplifier and do not
have need of batteries or external power.
When a magnet is moved near a coil of wire an electrical current is generated in the wire. This
principal of using an electromagnet is how a dynamic microphone works. It uses a wire coil and
magnet to create the audio signal. There is a diaphragm attatched to the coil in the microphone.
When this vibrates (due to sound waves), the coil moves backwards and forwards past the magnet.
This generates a current in the coil which is channelled from the microphone along the wires.
Overall, dynamic microphones are most effective when working with moderately loud sounds that
do not contain lots of high frequency levels.

2. Capacitor Microphones
Capacitor microphones (also known as condenser microphones), require a battery or some other
source of external power. Using a capacitor microphone will give a stronger audio signal than that of
a dynamic microphone. These types of microphones are also more sensitive and responsive than
dynamic microphones. This makes them the best choice of microphone when it comes to recording
subtle elements in sound. However, due to there sensitivity, they are not the right choice of
microphones for high volume recordings as they are likely to distort.
This type of microphone works by having two plates with a voltage between them. One of the plates
is made of an extremely light material that will act as the diaphragm. When hit by sound waves, the
diaphragm will vibrate and change the distance between the two plates, consequently changing the
capacitance.
Electret Condenser Microphones
The electret condenser microphone uses a special type of capacitor which has a permanent voltage
built in. This is to some extent like a permanent magnet, in that it doesn't require any external
power to use. However, a good electret condenser microphone usually includes a pre-amplifier
which does still require power. Other than this difference, you can think of an electret condenser
microphone as being the same as a normal condenser.