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Microphones

A microphone turns speech, singing or an instrument into an audio signal for a mixer, amplifier, recorder or computer. This range spans wired dynamic and condenser microphones, USB microphones for podcasts and calls, lavalier and neckband mics, wireless systems from makers including Chord, QTX and Citronic, paging microphones and call stations for PA systems, and boundary and ambient microphones for installed and CCTV audio.

Choosing Microphones

Start with where the microphone will be used: on a stage, at a desk or computer, on a presenter, or fixed into a building's PA or security system.

Dynamic or condenser

A dynamic microphone needs no power and copes with loud sources, which suits live vocals; the Chord DM02 173.607UK is a hypercardioid vocal mic rated 144dB SPL. A condenser microphone is more sensitive and suits studio vocals and acoustic instruments, but needs phantom power or a battery; the Citronic CM25 173.629UK is a large-diaphragm studio condenser, and the ECM20 pair takes 9-52V phantom power.

Stage and speech

Handheld dynamic mics such as the Citronic 173.468UK and 173.865UK are supplied with a 4.0m XLR to 6.3mm jack lead, and the Chord 173.857UK suits percussion, acoustic instruments and female vocals.

Presenters and recording

For a presenter on the move, Chord lavalier and neckband mics such as the 171.855UK and 171.966UK have a threaded 3.5mm mono jack for Chord, Citronic and QTX beltpacks. USB microphones such as the Citronic 173.633UK and QTX 173.637UK plug straight into a computer for podcasts and video calls, and the QTX 173.638UK and 173.639UK shotgun mics fit a camera hot-shoe.

Paging and installed microphones

The Adastra 952.360UK gooseneck paging mic has 10 chime settings, the 953.146UK call station pages 4 zones of an RM244V or RM4460 mixer-amp over one RJ45 cable, and the TOA RM-200MS remote station has 11 keys for VM-2000 and VM-3000 amplifiers. Boundary microphones such as the Adastra 952.347UK mount in a ceiling or panel for induction loop pick-up or CCTV audio monitoring.

TypeExampleConnectionNotes
Dynamic vocalChord DM02 173.607UKXLRHypercardioid, 144dB SPL
Studio condenserCitronic CM25 173.629UKXLRShock-mount and pop-shield
USB desktop micQTX 173.637UKUSB-CLive/mute button
Shotgun micQTX 173.638UKXLRMHot-shoe camera mount
LavalierChord 171.967UK3.5mm mono jackOmni-directional
Ceiling boundaryAdastra 952.347UKPhantom powered20mm cutout

Brands we stock in Microphones

Adastra, Axis Communications, Bosch, Bose Professional, C-TEC, Chord, CIE Group, Citronic, Clever Acoustics, Comelit PAC, Dahua Technology, Hanwha Vision, Hikvision, i-PRO, Penton, QTX and TOA.

Makers in this range include Chord.

Related categories

Shop by type in wireless microphones, wired microphones and lavalier and headset microphones, then complete the system with speakers and the wider audio visual range. See our Help & Support guides for setup advice.

Frequently asked questions

What types of microphone are there?

Microphones are usually grouped by how they work and how they are used. Dynamic and condenser types differ in sensitivity and power needs, while common forms include handheld, lavalier, headset, gooseneck, boundary and USB models. Wireless systems pair a microphone with a receiver. The range here includes stage, presenter, paging, conference and installed microphones.

How do I choose a microphone?

Start with the job: a dynamic handheld suits live vocals and speech, a condenser suits quiet studio work, and a lavalier or headset frees a presenter's hands. Then check the connection, such as XLR, jack or USB, and whether the microphone needs phantom power or a wireless receiver. The range here includes wired, wireless and paging microphones.

What is a microphone?

A microphone is a transducer that turns sound into an electrical signal, which an amplifier, mixer, recorder or computer can then process. Inside, a diaphragm moves with the sound waves and a capsule converts that movement into a signal. Choose the type by the sound source, the room and the equipment it will feed. The range here includes handheld, gooseneck, boundary and lavalier microphones.

  • Established 1975
  • Birmingham trade counter
  • UK-only supply

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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