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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 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

Chord, QTX, Citronic, Adastra, C-TEC, Comelit PAC, Clever Acoustics, Penton, Axis Communications, TOA, Bosch, Bose Professional, CIE Group, Dahua Technology, Hanwha Vision, Hikvision and i-PRO. Chord makes the largest number of microphones in this range.

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 is the difference between a dynamic and a condenser microphone?

A dynamic microphone needs no power and copes with loud sources, which suits live vocals and PA, while a condenser microphone is more sensitive and needs phantom power or a battery, which suits studio vocals and acoustic instruments. The Chord 173.855UK is a dynamic vocal mic, and the Citronic CM25 173.629UK is a large-diaphragm studio condenser.

Which microphone suits live vocals or karaoke?

A handheld dynamic vocal microphone. The Citronic 173.461UK and 173.468UK have metal bodies, an on/off switch and a 4.0m XLR to 6.3mm jack lead, and are described for vocal and karaoke use, while the Chord DM02 173.607UK has a hypercardioid pattern and a presence boost for vocal intelligibility.

What is phantom power and which microphones need it?

Phantom power is a DC supply that a mixer or preamp sends along the XLR cable to power a condenser microphone. Condenser models such as the Citronic CM25 173.629UK and the Adastra 952.347UK ceiling boundary mic need it, and the ECM20 pair takes 9-52V; dynamic mics such as the Adastra COM41 952.341UK work without it.

Can a microphone plug straight into a computer?

Yes, a USB microphone does. The Citronic 173.633UK is a plug-and-play USB condenser for podcasting and vocal recording with echo and mute buttons, the Citronic 173.645UK kit adds a shock mount, pop filter and arm mount, and the QTX 173.637UK mini desktop mic connects over USB-C with a live/mute button for video calls.

Will a Chord lavalier microphone fit my beltpack transmitter?

Yes, if the transmitter takes a 3.5mm jack. Chord lavalier and neckband mics such as the 171.855UK and 171.966UK use a threaded 3.5mm mono jack and are listed for Chord, Citronic and QTX beltpack transmitters. Citronic TU4 bodypacks take mini XLR microphones instead, such as the TU4 neckband 171.048UK and TU4 lavalier 171.049UK.

What is a paging microphone?

A paging microphone makes announcements over a PA system, usually with a push-to-talk switch and often a chime to get attention first. The TOA PM-660D desktop mic has a locking push-to-talk switch, the Adastra 952.360UK gooseneck has 10 chime settings, and call stations such as the Adastra 953.047UK CS-5X select zones before speaking.

Which microphone suits a meeting table or lectern?

A gooseneck or flexible-stem condenser on a desk base. The Adastra 952.352UK conference and paging mic has an illuminated on-air collar and runs on 2 x AAA batteries or phantom power, and the 952.353UK conference mic has a flexible stem, the same battery or phantom option and a 5m XLR lead.

Can a microphone add audio to a CCTV camera?

Yes, with a microphone made for a camera or recorder audio input. The Dahua HAP100 is a small omnidirectional condenser for hidden installation with audio-capable cameras, and the i-PRO WV-PM500 is an external mic unit for network cameras. The Axis 02269-001 outdoor microphone is rated IP66 and IK10 and can connect to a camera or audio module with a 3.5mm audio input.

What does an ambient noise sensing microphone do?

It measures background noise so the PA can raise or lower its volume automatically. The Penton DNM2-ETH detects background noise and adjusts loudspeaker output for intelligibility, and the Bose Professional 808932-0210 sense microphone mounts in a ceiling to feed the AutoVolume function of compatible Bose sound processors.

What are the C-TEC Outreach plates?

They are wall, ceiling and desk plates that add microphone and audio inputs to a compatible amplifier, with a built-in mixer, preamp and level control per plate feeding one balanced line-level input. The C-TEC APJ plate takes 3.5mm electret mics with 8V phantom power, and the AMDS desktop mic suits the PDA200E and the APJ plate.

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

Written by the West Midlands Electrics technical team

Updated

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