In this chapter, we’ll cover the basic characteristics of gear that directly affects your recording—especially microphones.

I’ll assume two common situations:

• You have an audio interface, and you connect a microphone via an XLR cable.
• You don’t have an interface, so you can only record with a USB mic or your phone.

1. If You Have an Audio Interface

Dynamic Microphones

• Most standard dynamic microphones do not require phantom power.

  Even if you accidentally turn phantom power on, it usually doesn’t cause immediate damage—but there can be exceptions (such as certain ribbon mics). As a general rule, it’s safest to leave phantom power off unless you clearly need it.

• Compared to condenser mics, dynamics have lower sensitivity, so they tend to pick up less background noise and can produce cleaner results in echoey rooms.

• The tradeoff is that the high-end detail can be more limited, so the sound may feel slightly less open or less “detailed.”

• A good starting distance is about 5–10 cm between your mouth and the mic.

• If you have a pop filter, use it.

  If you can’t buy one right away, a DIY pop filter (hanger + stocking) works surprisingly well.

• If you don’t have a pop filter, angling the mic slightly off-center (instead of straight in front of your mouth) can help reduce plosives.

Condenser Microphones

• Condenser microphones require 48V phantom power. Before recording, always make sure phantom power is turned on at your interface.
• Condensers are highly sensitive—they capture everything, including lip noise, outside sounds, footsteps, clothing rustle, and even chair squeaks.
• In an untreated room, a condenser can actually sound worse than a dynamic mic. In that case, you’ll need to control the room using the methods explained later in this guide.