What is the difference between a dynamic microphone and a condenser microphone?
Condenser mics differ from dynamics in that they capture the sound via a “capacitor” that changes its value (capacitance) in proportion to the sound waves vibrating it. To do this, the “capacitor” needs to be electrically energized and its output immediately amplified to “drive” the preamp input. Since the signal from a condenser has been electrically amplified, it can be pretty “hot”. Think of it like this: Go to your local favorite fast food joint and get a “water” to go and a clear straw. Poke the straw through the lid and seal up the hole around it with putty, play-dough, or something so that it is airtight. Once it’s all sealed up, squeeze the cup and notice the water moving up the straw. Release the cup and notice the water moving back down the straw. In this analogy, the cup is the capacitor and it capacitates water. In a condenser mic, the capsule is the capacitor and it capacitates voltage (which it gets from the phantom power supply). When the diaphragm (represented above by
