Dynamic Microphones: Difference between revisions

This list will be of interest mainly for {{S1 Pro}} owners. Microphones with higher sensitivity will tend to sound louder than those with lower sensitivity. While sensitivity is not an indicator of quality or gain-before-feedback, it can impact how loud the microphone sounds through the {{S1 Pro}} and {{S1 Pro+}}.  

! Manufacturer

! Model

! Sensitivity (mV/Pa)

! Sensitivity (dBV/Pa)

! Polar Pattern

| Audix || OM2 || 1.60 || -55.9 || Hypercardioid

| Audix || OM7 || 0.80 || -61.9 || Hypercardioid

| Sennheiser || MD 441 || 1.80 || -54.9 || Supercardioid

| Shure || SM58 || 1.85 || -54.6 || Cardioid

| Audix || OM3 || 1.60 || -55.9 || Hypercardioid

| Audix || OM3xb || 2.50 || -52.0 || Hypercardioid

| Audix || OM5 || 2.00 || -54.0 || Hypercardioid

| Audix || OM6 || 1.50 || -56.5 || Hypercardioid

| Beyerdynamic || M88 || 2.90 || -50.7 || Hypercardioid

| Electro-Voice || N/D767A || 3.10 || -50.2 || Supercardioid

| Electro-Voice || N/D86 || 2.40 || -52.4 || Supercardioid

| Electro-Voice || N/D96 || 3.30 || -49.6 || Supercardioid

| Rode || M1 || 1.60 || -55.9 || Cardioid

| Sennheiser || e 835 || 2.70 || -51.4 || Cardioid

| Sennheiser || e 845 || 1.80 || -54.9 || Supercardioid

| Sennheiser || e 935 || 2.80 || -51.1 || Cardioid

| Sennheiser || e 945 || 2.00 || -54.0 || Supercardioid

| Sennheiser || MD 421-II || 2.00 || -54.0 || Cardioid

| Sennheiser || MD 431-II || 2.00 || -54.0 || Supercardioid

| Sennheiser || MD 435 || 1.80 || -54.9 || Cardioid

| Sennheiser || MD 445 || 1.60 || -55.9 || Supercardioid

| Shure || Beta 58 || 2.60 || -51.7 || Supercardioid

| Shure || KSM8 || 2.66 || -51.5 || Cardioid

'''Sensitivity (mV/Pa or dBV/Pa):'''   

Indicates how much voltage a microphone generates for a given sound pressure level (typically 94 dB SPL). 

* '''mV/Pa''' – Millivolts per Pascal; a linear measurement used in international specifications.

* '''dBV/Pa''' – Decibels relative to 1 Volt per Pascal; a logarithmic measurement common in American documentation.

Higher sensitivity usually means louder signal output, but it doesn't necessarily translate to better sound or feedback rejection.

The directional sensitivity of a microphone — how it picks up sound from different angles. 

* '''Cardioid''' – Primarily sensitive to sound from the front, with some rejection from the sides and rear. 

* '''Supercardioid''' – Tighter front pickup with enhanced rear rejection, ideal for louder stages. 

* '''Hypercardioid''' – Even more directional, with strong side rejection and narrower front pickup.

These patterns affect feedback control, mic placement, and how ambient noise is captured.

* Microphones with very low sensitivity (e.g., Audix OM7) require additional preamp gain and may not perform optimally with entry-level PA systems.

* Condenser microphones (like the Neumann KMS 105) require phantom power. If phantom power is unavailable, they will not function.

* Mics with very high sensitivity (above ~3.0 mV/Pa) may be prone to feedback if system gain isn't carefully managed.

* Selecting microphones with sensitivity near 1.85 mV/Pa (e.g., Shure SM58) helps ensure consistent performance across varied setups and avoids surprises for sound operators.