Audio Recording

One quality aspect of the microphone is its frequency response. In ideal scenario, the microphone should perfectly reproduce the vocals. But no microphone is perfect even the more expensive condenser microphones. There are imperfections such as its frequency response. Your job as a recording engineer is to know these imperfections in advance so that you won’t be surprised and baffled with the results.

This guide will compare the frequency response of the most popular dynamic and condenser microphones. The objective is to examine if there are drastic differences between the two and then recommend the best course of action when recording using these microphones.

Typical Vocal Dynamic Microphone Frequency Response

Take a look at the legendary dynamic microphone, the Shure SM58:

And its frequency response chart:

Photo Credit: shure.com

You have noticed that this microphone is only “flat” and “linear” in this following frequency range: 100Hz to 2000Hz. Below 100Hz, this microphone cannot accurately capture bass frequencies because of the roll-off below 100Hz. Above 2000Hz, the microphone has very strong mid frequency response above linear. The maximum deviation is around +5dB at 6000Hz to 10000Hz.

What does this imply?

It implies that when you use SM58 in a home recording session of vocals; expect to get accurate response only in the 100Hz to 2000Hz. If the singer has too much deep bass in his/her voice, for example like recording an alto or bass voice performance then it cannot capture accurately below 100Hz.

On the other hand if the singer has much “throaty” voices (strong sibilance) then it will worsen if recorded using SM58. Its why after you have recorded some vocal takes using this microphone, you need some EQ to cut down the sibilance back to its normal/acceptable level.

This microphone is still a great vocal microphone since vocals are most sensitive to frequencies between 100Hz and 2000Hz. Practical implementation such as using this in web casting, interviews and speech recording. During live music performances, you won’t be needing frequencies below 100Hz for the vocals and it’s an advantage to have “added” sibilance above 8000Hz because it sounds “airy” on stage. It’s why SM58 is very popular among performing artist and it’s used very often in live concerts. The construction is also very rugged and this microphone is known for its reliability/durability.

Typical Condenser microphone Frequency Response

Now let’s examine what would be the frequency response of a popular vocal condenser microphone. Let’s use the Rode NT1A microphone:

And this is the frequency response:

Obviously, you can immediately notice a big difference in the frequency response between SM58 dynamic microphones. This microphone has much flatter and better accuracy in frequency response.

A big difference includes:

1.) Rode NT1A microphone has much better low frequency response below 100Hz.
2.) It is reasonably flat between 100Hz to 10000Hz that only varies +2dB maximum deviation.
3.) Above 10000Hz, it’s not perfectly linear although the maximum deviation is still +5dB.

What does this imply?

This microphone is perfect for home studio vocal recording. It’s because this microphone faithfully reproduces the vocals below 100Hz to at most 10000Hz. The microphone will work for any type of vocalist whether his/her vocal range is soprano, alto, tenor, baritone, bass etc. You might tweak your EQ to prevent over-sibilance above 10000Hz but this EQ adjustment is very minor and that also depends on the vocalist. If the vocalist does not have a sibilant voice, using this microphone can enhance performances because it adds an “airy” ambiance.

Summary: Dynamic microphones do not have a much better frequency response as compared to condenser microphones. A condenser microphone such as Rode NT1A is much more appropriate for accurate vocal reproduction in a home recording session. However condenser microphones can easily break and not as ruggedly constructed like the dynamic microphones. In this case, it’s important to use dynamic microphones like Shure SM58 during live concerts and performances.