"Live on stage": Make a grand entrance with our dynamic microphones

"Dynamic" is a quality we often associate with people or objects. It sounds flexible, adaptable, full of energy – all really good stuff. Dynamic microphones are the most popular microphones for the stage – the tough "workhorses". They transport your energetic live sound reliably and unfiltered from the stage to the audience – with all its audible character. But that's not all, because dynamic microphones can do a lot more. Under the right conditions they also cut a fine figure when recording instruments.

• Are dynamic microphones good for the stage? Well, it's not that easy

• Do you feel at home on stage? Our dynamic microphones will make your voice ring out

• The DM-710 as a functional and high-fidelity solution that is easy on your budget at the same time

• The DM-720 meets your highest demands with a balanced, neutral sound

• The DM-730 for demanding performances without disruptive noises

• The DM-065 for the expressive, authentic stage performance

• The TXS-606HT/2 for the gig that everyone in the audience will remember

• The TXS-865HT gives you (almost) unlimited flexibility

• Here are the four advantages of dynamic microphones

• It's all about the technology: What is actually going on inside?

• What type of microphone is best for recording...

• With all these microphone specs it helps for you to know what they all mean

Up until a few years ago, many musicians still had the strict, classical thinking of "dynamic = stage, condenser = recording studio". But this rigid classification is no longer really correct. Our microphones can be used more flexibly: High-quality dynamic microphones can definitely play a part in your studio recordings or your home recording sessions. And condenser microphones have more to offer than just picking up sound in a professional recording studio: You can use them on stage and be confident that if your breathing technique is not perfect, that every little nuance will be heard. It is a preconception from the past that dynamic microphones are not as accurate.

Like the lyrics by The Kinks on their 1978 song "Get Up": "You're the ones to make it all work out, it all depends on you". So it depends on what your requirements are.

Want to learn more about microphone basics from the point of view of musicians? Have a look here at our magazine.

Often the simplest things are the best. This also applies to the basic technical principle of dynamic microphones. They have a simple design – basically unchanged since the 1970s – and are therefore usually cheaper to buy than condenser microphones.

The dynamic microphones in our range are characterised by balanced sound fidelity. For the sake of classification they are in the "vocal microphones"category – but they can do much more than just pick up voices. They are high-quality devices made with robust materials that are easy on your band budget and most importantly: you get flexible, easy-to-use and powerful equipment without any additional frills. We follow a philosophy with our microphones: No feature overload, just the function(s) you need – and these microphones are really good at that. You can use them reliably for every application, on small and large stages or in crowded clubs, because they are made for authentic live sound systems – from rock to pop and from metal to singer-songwriter. With these all-round microphones your live voice will sound exactly how it should sound.

Our dynamic handheld transmitter TXS-865HT combines innovative circuit design with switchable transmission power. It transmits reliably up to 300 metres. With the REMOSET technology you can even set the transmission channel on the transmitter directly during the live performance(!) – without any visual contact.

The reasons why generations of musicians have chosen to use their equipment according to this credo were absolutely justified back then and still are now! The pros and cons of using dynamic microphones as opposed to condenser microphones lie in the technical construction that we are going to present in more detail here. Compared to condenser microphones, dynamic microphones have practical advantages that will help you as a live musician or as a DJ in clubs:
 

1. They are robust and impossible to break

Dynamic microphones are solid and resilient. You could handle a concert in unchartered territory in the middle of the deepest jungle: Dynamic microphones aren't affected by even the most extreme conditions – high temperatures or humidity beyond 90% are not a bother at all. They are practically indestructible and, as collectibles, have outlived generations of musicians.

2. With dynamic microphones you hardly have any disruptive noise or feedback

Dynamic microphones are less susceptible when it comes to (disruptive) background noise or feedback – they just don't register them as accurately. What may be a disadvantage in the studio – if you are looking for a sparkling clean recording and not a scratchy, authentic garage sound – might just put dynamic microphones in pole position when you're on stage. Not every note is necessarily perfect here, especially with long set lists and energetic performances.

3. They are insensitive to higher (limit) sound pressure

Dynamic microphones can withstand extremely high volumes without compromising quality or function. If you're a creative firecracker and you're into rock or metal, even high sound pressure levels do not overload dynamic microphones. Loud crash cymbals or bass drums are good examples here. They can overwhelm signals quickly because the levels suddenly skyrocket – even if it's only a brief mishandling. Dynamic microphones are impervious to that. This makes them ideal for picking up very loud (or unpredictable) sound sources such as electric guitars or drums. For more tips on perfect drum recording check out our magazine.

4. Dynamic microphones do not need an additional power source (phantom power)

A dynamic microphone generates enough voltage itself and therefore does not need an additional power supply via cable – unlike condenser microphones, which have to be supplied through an XLR cable. A wireless dynamic microphone is particularly practical when used live on stage because you are much freer in your performance and greatly cut down the risk of tripping over metre-long cords.

Are you the singer in your band and are you still trying to decide between dynamic or condenser microphones? Then check out our magazine article "Does the perfect vocal microphone really exist?" for other helpful tips.

• vocals: Even if both microphone types work, the condenser microphone has the edge here. Thanks to higher signal-to-noise ratios it delivers better detail, especially in the higher frequencies, and cleaner recordings:

• an electric guitar: Here it is best to use a dynamic microphone because it has a moving coil inside that is resistant to high sound pressure levels. This helps avoid distortion.

• drums: This is a special case. Since drum kits basically consist of several instruments, they should also be recorded individually and from close range. That gives a more clearly defined sound. Since powerful volume is important, dynamic microphones are generally the better choice here. They easily deal with high sound pressure levels and have low sensitivity. But, you can also use a condenser microphone for the hi-hat, which picks up the high frequencies of this drum element in great detail.

•  an electric guitar: In principle, you can also use both microphone types here. But we would recommend a condenser microphone. It picks up all the details more precisely and gives you a more natural, often warmer sound that suits acoustic guitars. A dynamic microphone delivers less treble and can distort that authentic sound.

There is no ideal, super universal microphone – the areas of application are simply too varied for that. Clearly, based on the list of advantages. we describe here, dynamic microphones are the first choice, especially live on stage, but not they are simply not the only choice. High-priced variants are also occasionally used for recording sessions – but to be fair, one has to say that (large-diaphragm) condenser microphones are usually the better choice for high-end recordings in a controlled environment. Although not the norm, some singers even use condenser microphones for their live performances – even though they are actually too sensitive as a handheld microphone.
Cards on the table...: We can't give you a patent solution. It simply depends on your taste as well as the intended use.