Condenser Microphone

A transducer

One of the most used pieces of technology present in every phone, laptop and countless other devices, the microphone is a transducer - a device that converts energy from one form into another. In this instance converting sound into electrical signals so the sound can be reproduced through a speaker. Used for real-time purposes such as phone calls or for recording, like when a singer records the vocal layer of a song. Microphones are also called mics or mikes for short. A lot of microphones need to be connected to a pre-amp so the signal coming from them can be amplified before it is sent to a recorder, or a sound system without which the sound might be quite low and digitally turning it up would add noise and distortion.

Condenser Microphone

Condenser microphones are more ideal for studio recordings or use in labs. They are more suitable because they can pick up sounds that are very low, as the sensor inside has a smaller mass to be moved by vibration. Essentially, in a condenser microphone, unlike other microphones, the sound has to do lesser work for the signal to be picked up. 

Connecting to one

Connectivity-wise microphones are either tethered using an XLR, TRS, TRRS, USB or a fibre optic line. The qualities vary but are comparable. Only an extremely trained ear might be able to tell more of a difference after hearing recordings from even the same microphone connected with different cables.

Companies produce different kinds of microphones under the same umbrella so one brand might be making 3 different kinds of microphones depending on user requirements. Commonly known brands include Shure, Sennheiser, Neumann (also owned by Sennheiser), Rode, AKG, Electro-Voice, DPA and Royer Labs. The price of a condenser microphone can vary a lot depending on the brand and the specific model in question. It could range from the mid to the top of the price spectrum.