Different Types Of Microphones

The use of different types of microphones, in a church setting, will enhance the tone, sound level and dynamics of the music and importantly, the way the instruments are created to sound. Having at least one microphone for each instrument your church plays, is a good number to keep by. The more microphones your church has, the better off you’ll be in the future.

Dynamic and Condenser Microphones

The two main types of microphone pick-up patterns that every church should have are; Condenser mics and Cardioid Dynamic mics. These unique patterns respond differently to frequencies and choosing the correct microphone for your church setting and instrument is important! The different types of microphone pick-up patterns should be considered before grabbing just any microphone and pointing it at the source you want amplified. Some microphones are specifically designed for unique applications; while most can be used wherever needed. Using the right microphone for the correct instrument is critical to achieve full audio quality and clarity.

Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic mic’s are best known as the music, vocal microphones. In most churches, this is basically the only type of microphone available for use. Mic'ing electric guitars will dynamic microphones is the best for praise music. The most common brand and model types of dynamic church microphones are; the Shure Sm series, the Audix OM and CD series, Peavy mics and many others. These microphones are ideal in any worship situation because they are reliable, durable and resistant to feedback from monitors. Dynamic microphones are great for their price and generally have a long shelf life.

Condenser Microphones

Condenser Microphones are the least common in church sanctuaries, probably because of their price and their need to be well looked after. However, the one place that you will probably find one being used, will be by the speaker/pastor and maybe the drums. Lapel mics or wireless microphones, are a must have for any church of any size. Pastors like to walk around when they talk, and a corded microphone is probably not the best because it will limit him/her to where they can walk. Condenser microphones can also be used for choirs, pianos and overhead for drums. In order for their unique pick-up pattern to be achieved, phantom power (or batteries) will need to be used.

How Much Do Microphones Cost?

Microphone are relatively cheap compared to the price of sound boards or speakers. Buying the right microphones is probably one of the most valuable investments for churches to have. Mics, if treated with care, should last a long time making them an ideal asset for your church worship program. Just like everything else, the price in which you are willing on spending for microphones will determine the quality and durability you will get. The lowest price I would suggest spending on a standard, dynamic microphone (at retail price) would be around $100-$160. You do not want to buy microphones that with in a year, stop working because of poor design and cheap parts. The condenser microphones are normally worth more then your usual, dynamic microphone because of their complex, sensitive diaphragm. Starting from around $150-$250 (retail) and upwards, condenser microphones have a sensitive, wide range of frequencies; making them a little more expensive than dynamic microphones.

Conclusion

There is a wide price range and quality variety in microphones to choose from for church sound applications. Using the correct pick-up pattern microphone for the desired source is important. Condenser and Dynamic microphones are the two main types to choose from, however there are a few other, non-popular microphone types out there. Microphones are NOT something that you want to cheap out on when buying your sound system, they are absolutely critical in achieving clear sound.

Back to Church Sound Articles