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If you are in a hurry and want to find out the Best microphone with a flat frequency response, then I highly recommend the Heil sound PR 35 Dynamic Microphone
If you are searching for a microphone with a flat frequency response then you should definitely read this article.
There are a couple of reasons why you may need to purchase a microphone that has not been altered.
For example, you may be a phonetician looking for a microphone to record audio in your field or you are probably just someone that wants to record and hear audio in it’s true form.
Whatever the case may be, picking a flat microphone should not be confusing to you.
While there are certain considerations you need to look out for, after reading this article you will know them all.
In this article, we will be looking at the top 5 flat frequency response microphones, things to consider before you make a purchase, what it means for a microphone to have flat frequency response and how to ensure you get the best from your new microphone.
At a glance, these are the top 3 Microphones with flat frequency response
1. AKG C555L Speech Optimized Cardioid MicroMic [Click to see current prices on Amazon] – Editor’s choice and best selling. It is speech optimized with a frequency range that makes your audio sound normal
2. AKG D5 Vocal Dynamic Microphone [Click to see current prices on Amazon] -Rugged construction and very durable
3. Sennheiser MD 441-U microphone [Click to see current prices on Amazon] -Excellent feedback rejection and sound quality.
What is a microphone’s frequency response?
A microphone’s frequency response is simply a measurement of how a particular microphone responds to a range of frequencies.
What this means is that different microphones respond in a particular way to different frequency ranges.
So when looking for one that has a flat frequency response, the main thing is to ensure that the mic behaves in a particular way within a specified range.
Most microphones fall into a particular frequency response range. This is because the human ear can hear and produce sounds within this range; 20 to 20,000 Hz.
If you are looking for a mic with a flat frequency response range, then you should get one that falls within the 150Hz to 250Hz range.
At this range, what goes into the microphone is what you tend to hear coming out.
There are no alterations or distortions trying to make the audio sound “better”
Here is a frequency response chart showing you the flat range of a popular microphone.
Related: Here is a detailed page showing you different microphones for different uses
Things to consider before you make a purchase
1. What is the frequency response range
Obviously while looking for a flat microphone, you want something that falls within 150Hz to 250 Hz range.
This is because most mics tend to enhance certain frequencies to make the voice sound much better.
But if you are interested in listening to what really happens acoustically, rather than a recording that sounds good then you should get this right.
So make sure that you do your research and you get the right mic that falls within this required range.
2. How durable is it?
Another factor you want to consider is the durability and to some extent the portability of the mic.
To get a good mic that will last for a long time, you should be prepared to shell out some cash
This could well run into hundreds of dollars. As a result, you want something that is durable and does not break easily.
One way to ensure this does not happen is to make sure that the microphone is built with metal casings.
Also you want to get something that is portable and can be easily moved about.
This will depend largely on your reason for buying a mic. If it is your main microphone or it is to be used as a backup then you want something that you can easily pack up and transport.
The Top 5 Microphones With Flat Frequency Response
1. AKG C555L Speech Optimized Cardioid MicroMic
This is a very popular and common speech optimized microphone.
It is a head worn microphone and can be easily adjusted using the headband behind the neck. This makes it very easy to strap and get it to fit without any hassle.
It has a moisture shield which helps prevent the buildup of moisture and stops it from penetrating into the transducer elements which ensures that it lasts for a long time.
It delivers high quality audio which is very clear and warm even at high ambient noise levels
It has a unique microphone arm which provides you with options for whether you should use your left or right hand
It comes with a transducer shock mount which helps to reduce shocks and vibrations to a minimum.
2. AKG D5 Vocal Dynamic Microphone
This is a dynamic handheld vocal microphone that was specially designed for speech and interviews.
It has a rugged construction which makes it very durable and long lasting.
It has a unique patented laminated varimotion diaphragm that ensures that it delivers clean and clear audio quality.
It has a super cardioid polar pattern which gives it a high gain without any distortion
It comes with a dual shock mount that eliminates all external and mechanical noise. This ensures that the only thing you get to hear is your clear voice.
This is one microphone that delivers a powerful and clear sound even when used in noisy areas.
3. Sennheiser MD 441-U microphone
This is a high end microphone with a very flat frequency response that produces excellent sound quality when used.
It has excellent feedback rejection which ensures that no external sounds or distortions are recorded when used.
It is made from durable exterior casing that ensures that it does not break or damage easily.
It a dynamic mic with exceptional quality and versatility that is perfect for vocals and for recording instrumentals.
It has a five position, low frequency contour switch which helps in making sure that your audio is in the right frequency range.
It comes with a critically damped internal shock suspension which helps reduces external noises as a result of vibrations and movements
It also has a hum bucking coil which also helps in reducing humming and buzzing sounds from being recorded.
Its treble boost switch and internal pop filter are also good additions all towards making sure that the sound quality is awesome.
4. Shure SM63L Omnidirectional Dynamic Microphone
This omnidirectional microphone made by Shure is an excellent mic with flat frequency response.
It has high output and low impedance giving it that nice clean sound quality that you need.
It has a frequency response range within 80 to 20,000 Hz which is the required range for optimum speech and interviews.
It has a low frequency roll off that cuts out all unwanted frequencies giving it clean audio quality.
It comes with a built in shock mount that helps reduce vibrations and handling noise
It has a hum bucking coil that helps reduce electromagnetic hums and buzzing sounds
It is made from exceptionally rugged Veraflex material that can withstand damages and falls from up to 2 meter heights
It has a sleek and well designed appearance that gives it an eye catching visual appeal
It comes with a unique built in pop filter that helps reduce all sibilance and pop issues
It comes supplied with a snap in stand adapter for situations where you need your hands free.
5. Heil Sound PR 35 Dynamic Microphone
This is a dynamic microphone with flat frequency response good for vocalists and for doing interviews.
It has an articulate mid range that helps enhance the audio quality
It comes with a 2 position roll of switch for cutting out and eliminating all unwanted frequencies
It has rubberized coating which protects the mic from scratches and dusts
It has a frequency range of 40Hz to 18KHz which ensures that it delivers extreme clear and articulate audio quality
It has a carefully wound and articulate hum bucking coils which helps to reduce and remove electromagnetic hum and buzzing sounds
It has a unique Heil element feature which allows the mic to be used in extreme high sound pressure levels without any damage.
This is one microphone that delivers clear audio quality without any coloration or external interference.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What does it mean to have a flat frequency?
Simply put having a flat frequency means that the audio quality coming out of the microphone is the same quality as that which entered without any enhancements in any particular phase.
This is very important for vocalists and phoneticians that like listening to audio in its “true and pure form”.
For an instrument to be said to have a flat frequency response it must fall within this range; 20Hz to 20KHz.
2. What is the sensitivity of a microphone?
The sensitivity of a microphone is simply the easy at which the microphone picks up external sounds.
Some microphones are very sensitive meaning that they pick up the required sounds and some more making mixing of the track a bit difficult.
It is usually measured with a 1KHz sine wave at a 94 dB sound pressure level.
3. What is the frequency response curve?
This is a diagrammatic representation of the signal amplitude or gain plotted against frequency.
This helps easily give a representation of where the instrument has been enhanced to make it sound better.
4. How can I change my mic sensitivity?
Changing your mic sensitivity has a lot of advantages especially when being used in a noisy environment.
The easiest and simplest way to get this done is to do so in your recording DAW or your operating system.
Here is a step by step guide showing you how to reduce the sensitivity of your microphone.
5. What is a high frequency response?
When an instrument is said to have a high frequency, it means that it’s frequency range has been altered to improve the audio quality.
This is usually done to home use speakers and headphones to make them sound better
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