The Limitations and Benefits of Online Microphone Comparison
To begin, know that the audio you experience on Audio Test Kitchen is real recordings of the actual microphones in 11 acoustic spaces under standardized conditions: there’s no variation in mic position, source, signal chain, or level. We did this both to accurately reveal the characteristics of each mic and to ensure the only differences you experience are between the mics themselves.
But there are limitations to an online microphone comparison.
MP3
For the sake of efficiency, speed, and wide accessibility, the ATK web app serves the highest bit rate mp3 (320kbps) audio format. MP3s do not present the full resolution captured in our original 32bit/96kHz microphone recordings making subtle differences hard to hear. When comparing some mics that sound very similar, subtleties may be all the difference that exists. That's why we're planning to implement a new, full resolution audio format later this year that streams faster than mp3, but retains the resolution of the original master capture.
OTHER VOICES
The other main limitation is that you can't put your voice or instrument through the mics. Our solution for this is to expose the microphones to a variety of sources and voices from low to high, soft to loud, and smooth to sharp at a variety of distances (proximity) in a variety of environments (11 acoustic spaces in all). When you listen to all these elements you can form an accurate picture of what these mics can do – what they would do if you owned them.
Key elements of ATK’s online microphone comparisons that surpass the limitations of home, studio, and showroom can transform our understanding of the gear.
ALL INCLUSIVE
First, you have access to hundreds of mics in every price range.
JUST THE MICS
Second, we've eliminated all the variables: the performance, the mic placement, and the levels all stay the same so that when you're comparing the mics, you're only hearing what they contribute to the sound. I've witnessed it many times in all other microphone shootouts: we falsely attribute differences in conditions (performance, tuning, levels…) to differences between the mics.
IF I OWNED IT
Third, you can compare the mics on multiple sources and build a picture of what it would be like to own and record with that mic yourself.
IN MY SPACE
And finally, ATK's online microphone comparison comes to you, at your studio, in your familiar environment. You don't have to familiarize yourself with different monitors or acoustics or experience the pressure of a sales environment or paid studio time.
IT STARTS WITH THE SONG
Concerns about finding the best microphone don’t change the fact that the song and the performance are still the most important thing. And these days the quality level of even the cheapest gear is usually good enough to at least begin capturing ideas. And more experienced recordists will usually figure out workarounds to overcome bad gear.
THE RECORDING IS THE ART
So why all the gear? Why so many choices at so many prices? If the song is the idea and the gear is the paint, brushes, and canvas that capture your idea, the gear will have a strong effect on the picture you paint – not only the quality of the end result, but how you as the artist react to what you see (hear) in realtime as you create. So the gear does deeply impact the end result. We’re making recordings, we’re broadcasting, we’re podcasting, live-streaming, we’re amplified through gear. It’s our ideas and our performances, but it’s translated and transmitted and received by gear. That gear shapes, interprets, colors, distorts, and delivers the sound. You+gear=your art. The song, performance, and gear are inseparable. Note choices, lyric choices, instrument choices, arrangement choices, gear choices —> we want to help you with that final element. We want to make that part easier. We want you to be confident in your choice, so at the moment you need the gear to translate and transmit your vision and your innermost ideas, doubt leaves the room and you’re left with only inspiration.
Imagine tasting a meal prepared with fresh ingredients — the flavors are alive, deep, and convey every nuance. This is what it’s like to record with a great microphone.
Of all the things in our signal chain (microphones, preamps, sound cards, interfaces, plugins, DAWs...) microphones tend to have the greatest impact because they change one form of energy (motion) into another (electrical). And unlike other audio tools, you can’t ‘undo’ your microphone.
We want to help advance our industry by bringing access to information we audio creators all deserve, especially when we’re going into a purchase decision.
I would love to hear your thoughts and suggestions on how we can make Audio Test Kitchen a more effective resource for you. Info at audio test kitchen dot com.
Thank you!
-Alex Oana, Creator/Founder
Have any questions or comments about this article? Who’s bringing the dessert? I’d like to know! You can reach me here .
