Dynamic vs Condenser Microphones: Which Do You Need?

From the SM58 to the NT1, learn which microphone type fits vocals, drums, podcasting and studio recording.

At Ray Musical Supply we help thousands of musicians answer this exact question every year. In this guide our staff breaks down the options in plain language, with specific product picks at every budget.

What to look for

Start with your budget and where you will be playing. A bedroom player needs different gear than a gigging musician or a school band student. We cover construction quality, brand reputation, resale value and upgrade paths.

Our top picks

We stock every product mentioned in this guide, and each one is inspected by our in-house technicians before shipping. Check the related products below or call our gear advisers at (832) 266-1848 for a personalized recommendation.