what is a condenser mic, and can I use one live?

[BadAssBill]

The condenser mic's look cool as dooky, but how are they different than a normal mic...and can I use one live at gigs?
Does anyone have any experience with the $100 ones? I only have one mic, and it's technically an instrument mic.

[meterman]

Hey Bill, nice avatar! 'Nother Atlantan here....

Anyway a condenser mic uses active circuitry powered by 48v phantom power from the preamp, and is way more sensitive than a "normal" mic which are actually called dynamic mics. Condensers can have wide pickup patterns, pick up more room sound, more high end, other instruments etc, which is why you probably don't see them much live, too much bleed from other sources. Dynamic mics (Sm57/58, etc) tend to be cardiod or hypercardioid pattern (ie more focused), require more gain from the preamp since they are not using active electronics, and are less apt to pick up room sound, other instruments, etc.

If you want a cheap condenser the CAD M179 is a good place to start, they are around $150 and sound pretty good. Alot of the cheap ones sound pretty terrible, lots of harsh high end. Lots of folks will tell you that to get a really good condenser mic you're more in the $500-1000 range and up, to about $4000!

check this out, the whole guide really is very helpful: http://www.tweakheadz.com/microphone...ome_studio.htm

[BadAssBill]

Ahhh, thanks! Interesting. Do they have "normal" mics that are shaped like condensors? I just really dig the upright style.

[Ulysses]

The Heil PR40 (and 30) is a dynamic mic with a side address or "upright" appearance. Very nice sounding mic, too.

[meterman]

It does look like a side address mic but isn't the PR30 an end-firing mic though? Was looking at those recently, maybe I misunderstood it...

[Ulysses]

Originally Posted by meterman

It does look like a side address mic but isn't the PR30 an end-firing mic though? Was looking at those recently, maybe I misunderstood it...

Yes, I was saying it had the side address "appearance" the OP liked.

[meterman]

Gotcha! They are cool looking mics and supposed to sound really good...

[UMT]

There are a few models out there designed for stage use. I just bought a Audio Technica ATM710 after using SM58's for years. I'm just blown away by this mike. Cardioid pattern. No issues with picking up unwanted sounds. I can actually hear vocal nuances that I heard in my head but couldn't hear thru monitors with a SM58... My bass player immediately bought one and my drummer is following suit.

Do your research, they are out there.

[meterman]

Originally Posted by UMT

There are a few models out there designed for stage use. I just bought a Audio Technica ATM710 after using SM58's for years. I'm just blown away by this mike. Cardioid pattern. No issues with picking up unwanted sounds. I can actually hear vocal nuances that I heard in my head but couldn't hear thru monitors with a SM58... My bass player immediately bought one and my drummer is following suit.

Do your research, they are out there.

that looks cool, and not too expensive! Any issues with using phantom power live?

[UMT]

Originally Posted by meterman

that looks cool, and not too expensive! Any issues with using phantom power live?

None at all. I prefer to run our own sound but when we do opt to hire sound guys, I get the impression that MOST of the better mixers have phantom power.

You can also buy a phantom power supply pretty cheap that will work with a board that isn't already equipped with phantom power.

Are there any other issues to consider?????