Wireless Microphones
Wireless microphones have been around since the 1940s in virtually the same format as they are today. They consist of a mic fitted with a radio transmitter which sends radio waves to a nearby receiver. This device then decodes and distributes the audio information to the sound system.
There are three general wireless microphone types. 'Handheld' are dedicated units that look similar to a standard mic, though usually with a larger body to house the transmitter and battery. 'Plug-in' models can be fitted to any standard mic, while 'bodypack' units have a clip-on box containing the transmitter and battery attached to a wired headset, lapel microphone, or even an instrument such as a guitar.
- $ Min$ Max
Not sure which mic is right?
The right microphone depends on what you are recording and where. Condenser mics suit vocals and studio detail, dynamic mics handle loud sources and live stages, and USB mics are the simplest option for podcasting and streaming. This guide explains every microphone type, compares condenser vs dynamic vs ribbon, and covers XLR and USB connections, polar patterns, and which mic to choose for singing, instruments, podcasting, and video.