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> Though [the dynamic microphone] type is not in wide-spread use today, it is the most common microphone type in the Steele Collection. That doesn't seem right

by K7PJP 4y ago

> Though [the dynamic microphone] type is not in wide-spread use today, it is the most common microphone type in the Steele Collection. That doesn't seem right - dynamic mics are everywhere in the broadcast industry. The Electro-Voice Model 635A on that page is used for news gathering, and the RE20 is in station booths everywhere.

maroonblazer 4y ago
Could it be the growing prevalence of USB mics used by podcasters and others? I don't own one of those nor follow the industry so not sure if those are dynamic or not.
- fleventynine 4y ago
  The ubiquitous SM7B (podcasting) and SM58 (live vocals) are both dynamic mics.
  - lmpdev 4y ago
    The SM58 is by a large margin the most popular vocal mic in the world The SM57 is also an industry staple for pretty much everything from drums to guitar to field recordings
    - squarefoot 4y ago
      The SM57 and the SM58 are essentially the same thing, except for the 58 foam screen that makes it more suitable for miking singers, while the 57 is more suitable for instruments. They both are rock solid pieces of gear that won't disappoint, and when more sensitivity is needed, an external preamp such as a Triton Audio, Klark Teknik or a similar one will quietly provide more gain without the need for a more expensive mic. If you want to purchase one of the above mics, beware of the numerous fakes around, and buy only from reputable vendors.
- squarefoot 4y ago
  USB mics could also be dynamic, the difference is the USB and internal ADC, however they are aimed at a different use case. Dynamic mics are among the best choices for live singing and miking loud instruments (drums, guitar/bass cabs, etc), while USB mics primary use is podcasting by people who don't have or need a mixing deck. I would never ever use a USB microphone for music because, sound quality aside, it could introduce a non predictable latency and possibly phase differences when used in two or more channels (8 USB mics = 8 ADCs with 8 different clocks, unlike for example a single audio interface with single multi channel ADC or more ADCs sharing a common clock), so although USB sales have increased lately, dynamic ones remain king when music is being played or recorded.
audiothrowaway 4y ago
Yeah, dynamic mics are definitely still in use and very common on stages, for podcasting/radio (the classic voice of radio sound is a large diaphragm dynamic mic like the Shure SM7B), and many other professional applications. Though at the professional level there are many use cases where condenser-based microphones are preferred (i.e. low noise applications, shotgun mics, etc.) However, looking at the transducer market overall, I would bet that condensers make up the large majority of global production. If only because of the growth of MEMS arrays in phones and computers and a growing number of cheap electret condensers used in other consumer and prosumer electronics.

by K7PJP 4y ago

maroonblazer 4y ago

Could it be the growing prevalence of USB mics used by podcasters and others? I don't own one of those nor follow the industry so not sure if those are dynamic or not.

fleventynine 4y ago
The ubiquitous SM7B (podcasting) and SM58 (live vocals) are both dynamic mics.
- lmpdev 4y ago
  The SM58 is by a large margin the most popular vocal mic in the world The SM57 is also an industry staple for pretty much everything from drums to guitar to field recordings
  - squarefoot 4y ago
    The SM57 and the SM58 are essentially the same thing, except for the 58 foam screen that makes it more suitable for miking singers, while the 57 is more suitable for instruments. They both are rock solid pieces of gear that won't disappoint, and when more sensitivity is needed, an external preamp such as a Triton Audio, Klark Teknik or a similar one will quietly provide more gain without the need for a more expensive mic. If you want to purchase one of the above mics, beware of the numerous fakes around, and buy only from reputable vendors.
squarefoot 4y ago
USB mics could also be dynamic, the difference is the USB and internal ADC, however they are aimed at a different use case. Dynamic mics are among the best choices for live singing and miking loud instruments (drums, guitar/bass cabs, etc), while USB mics primary use is podcasting by people who don't have or need a mixing deck. I would never ever use a USB microphone for music because, sound quality aside, it could introduce a non predictable latency and possibly phase differences when used in two or more channels (8 USB mics = 8 ADCs with 8 different clocks, unlike for example a single audio interface with single multi channel ADC or more ADCs sharing a common clock), so although USB sales have increased lately, dynamic ones remain king when music is being played or recorded.

audiothrowaway 4y ago

Yeah, dynamic mics are definitely still in use and very common on stages, for podcasting/radio (the classic voice of radio sound is a large diaphragm dynamic mic like the Shure SM7B), and many other professional applications. Though at the professional level there are many use cases where condenser-based microphones are preferred (i.e. low noise applications, shotgun mics, etc.) However, looking at the transducer market overall, I would bet that condensers make up the large majority of global production. If only because of the growth of MEMS arrays in phones and computers and a growing number of cheap electret condensers used in other consumer and prosumer electronics.