Does that New Microphone really matter?

What microphone should I purchase to take my recordings over the top?

I hear this question often in the audio community. There is almost a mythic level of worship around microphones, often hyper-expensive ones at that. It’s become a bit of a self-fulling prophecy with high-end studio professionals as well. Big-name professionals talk up high-end microphones, the rest of us read or listen to what they say then our own interest in high-end microphones goes up which only provides confirmation bias for the big-name professionals on the importance of high-end microphones.

It seems the whole industry has bought into the idea that you must have a locker full of high-end microphones to get a decent recording.

But here is the controversial question that shouldn’t be so controversial in the first place, how big of an impact will that new microphone have on your final recording?

There are absolutely differences between microphones, I am not saying they aren't important. And a really crappy or damaged microphone can cause all kinds of problems.

BUT

If really expensive and/or boutique microphones are the “not so secret ingredient” to professional recordings, then please explain how the vocals on the MOST SUCCESSFUL ALBUM OF ALL TIME were recorded with a $399 Shure SM7! That’s right, Michael Jackson used an SM7 on Thriller and it’s not like that album suffered sonically (or financially) because of it.

Another question I would ask about this expensive and/or boutique microphone feaver-dream, if the diffecnce between microphones is so great then why does the Slate ML-1 software have an intensity slider that goes to 150%? Could it be that most people can’t tell the difference between mic models at 100% perhaps?

In my experience, most people, even golden-eared producers and engineers, have trouble telling the difference between two similar (or even very different) well-maintained microphones used on the same source in the same room, in the middle of a track, especially after EQ is added.

I think a lot of people get so caught up in the microphone hype because microphones are sexy. They are often the most common piece of recording equipment shown in photos of our heroes. Who wouldn’t want a Neumann U47 after watching The Beatles using one in Abbey Road? And hey, really expensive mics have to be better or they wouldn’t be expensive in the first place right?

But I find that the source you are recording, mic position and the room you are recording in has a good deal more to do with the outcome of the recording than the actual microphone does.

This isn't to say that the mic doesn't matter because it really does. But too many people overlook the basics of source signal, room and mic placement. These have much more influence on the final product in my experience.

So should you get that shiny new microphone? Sure, if you can afford it go for it. But don’t expect it to transform your tracks into a professional production all by itself.

Modeling microphones like the Slate or Universal Audio options are excellent. I have both Slate and UA modeling microphones (for different reasons) in my studio. They are great products and they show how subtle the differences really are between microphone options.

Before you think “but you are basing this whole blog post on modeling microphones, ‘real’ microphones are much different”, I will point out, in my 35 years doing this recording thing I have used a lot of great microphones and I can say that the modeled versions are very accurate and the subtitles I find in the modeling options mirrors my experience with the real Neumann, AKG, Royer, etc. versions I have used.

So, go ahead and give that new mic a try, but don’t be surprised that your productions don’t sound drastically different if you haven’t taken care of your source, mic placement or room issues along the way.

Let me say that again, if you are struggling with the sounds you are getting from your recordings, you really need to consider the source you are recording, the room you are recording in and where you place the microphone before you worry about what microphone to use.

If you don’t have the scratch to purchase a new microphone, do NOT sweat it. Really, you can get fantastic results with a quality option like a Shure SM7B, or a Slate ML-1 for a few bucks more.

If you have any questions about how best to use your current microphone or about recording in general, please hit me up using my contact form here on my site.

Thanks for reading… now get back to recording!