A Sound Designer's Secret Weapon: The Condenser Microphone

Shotgun condenser microphones are highly versatile in recording. This is what many people refer to as the "boom mic" in films since it's often used as the primary microphone for recording dialogue on-set.

There is so much more a sound designer can do this with this tool than record dialogue, though:

A Condenser Mic's Main Uses for a Sound Designer

Condenser mics are great for recording high-frequency sounds, foley (cloth, props, and footsteps), and sounds captured both indoors and outdoors. The smaller condenser mics, often referred to as pencil mics, are also ideal for capturing high transients and sounds recorded indoors since it won’t pick up as much of the room.

You're most likely to see me using this mic when I record. It's always my go-to for performing foley too!

The built-in mics you typically see on field recorders are electret condenser microphones, and are a great set of first microphones form how portable they are. Typically they come as a stereo pair attached to the top of portable recorders. Remember that technique trumps technology, so you can record with anything.

My TASCAM DR-40 came in handy when I passed some ice to scrape on a hike.

Potential Issues When Recording to Resolve

Here are some issues you may run into when using them:

Problem: wind ruining recordings by hitting the mic’s diaphragm

Fix: use a windscreen, windmuff, blimp (with or without a dead wombat), or a cyclone; find out which is best for you in my previous blog post

Problem: Plosives from whooshes, breathing on mic, etc.

Fix: Use a pop filter and increase the distance between the audio source and the mic a bit if you're indoors

Problem: Mic mount or stand being too light/cheap/unstable

Fix: Make sure the mic or baby stand is heavy enough before buying and even on the ground. If you're outdoors, use a pistol grip or a tripod.

Problem: A lot of background noise is being picked up

Fix: Like large-diaphragm condenser microphones, acoustic treatment will be necessary if you have control over your environment.

Using a blimp to protect my NTG5 from wind and rain while recording log splits outdoors (built-in pistol grip)

In Closing

Shotgun condenser microphones are suitable for a wide variety of situations. If you're to start with any microphone, I'd say start with the built-in mics on a field recorder and make the most out of those. Just remember that they need protection from rain, wind, and plosives. Happy recording!