Microphone

A transducer that converts the air movement of sound into an electrical signal, and in guitar work the device that turns a speaker's output back into something recordable.

Choosing one starts with the transducer type, since moving-coil dynamics are rugged and mid-focused while condensers are detailed and need power, and it continues with the polar pattern, which decides what arrives from the sides and rear. Placement then does the rest of the work: distance changes how much room is captured, and the angle changes the balance of high frequencies. Ribbon designs occupy their own niche, being smooth and figure-of-eight patterned.

Example: the same cabinet recorded with a dynamic close in and a condenser a metre back gives both bite and room to mix together.

Microphone

See also