What's the difference between a cardioid and omnidirectional small diaphragm condenser?

Cardioid mics pick up sound primarily from the front, rejecting sound from the rear. Omnidirectional mics capture sound equally from all directions, useful for room ambience or ensembles.

Why would I choose a small diaphragm condenser over a large diaphragm one for acoustic guitar?

Small diaphragms offer greater accuracy and a more detailed, less colored sound, which is often preferred for acoustic guitar to avoid adding unwanted character.

What does 'self-noise' mean in the context of a microphone?

Self-noise is the inherent electrical noise generated by the microphone itself. Lower self-noise results in quieter, cleaner recordings, particularly important for nuanced instruments or quiet vocals.

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones - Browse 213 Musical Instruments - Page 2

Lewitt LCT 040 MATCH Bundle

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$120

4.7 Expert Rating

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Earthworks Audio SR20LS

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$582

Condenser microphone for kick drum recording, Polar pattern: Cardioid, Frequency response: 20...

4.9 Expert Rating

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Schoeps Mono Set MK 2 - CMC 1 U

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,788

Microphone Set, Consists of 1x SCHOEPS CMC 1 U, microphone amplifier and 1x MK 41...

4.8 Expert Rating

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Schoeps Mono Set MK 41 - CMC 1 U

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,788

Microphone Set, Consistsof 1x SCHOEPS CMC 1 U, microphone amplifier and 1x MK 41...

4.5 Expert Rating

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Schoeps Mono Set MK 4 - CMC 1 U

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,788

Microphone Set, Consists of 1x SCHOEPS CMC 1 U, microphone amplifier and 1x MK 4...

4.4 Expert Rating

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Sanken CS-3e

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,284

Condenser Shotgun Microphone, For on-location and studio recording, Three directional capsules in a...

4.7 Expert Rating

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Sanken CS-2

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,022

Condenser Mono Shotgun Microphone, High directional characteristic for longer distances, Ideal tool for...

4.8 Expert Rating

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Sanken CSS-50

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,859

Condenser stereo shotgun microphone, Three operating modes: mono (high directivity), normal (precise...

4.5 Expert Rating

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SE Electronics SE7

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$119

Condenser Microphone with Small Diaphragm, Directional characteristic: Cardioid, Frequency...

4.8 Expert Rating

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Rode NTG5 Kit

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$604

Shotgun Condenser Microphone, HF Technology with vacuum-sealed electronics (Conformal Coating),...

4.8 Expert Rating

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Shure R189B Black

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$127

Mini-Shotgun Microphone Cartridge, Condenser, Highly directional, Threaded 1-cm-threaded cm...

5 Expert Rating

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Schoeps CMC 1 U

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$934

Colette Amplifier, Compatible with all MK capsules, Supply voltage: 12 / 48 V, Current consumption at...

4.7 Expert Rating

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Rode TF-5

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,539

Small Diaphragm Stereo Microphone Set, 2 Hand-selected condenser microphones, Gold-coated 1/2" cardioid...

4.6 Expert Rating

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Lewitt LCT 040 MATCH stereo pair

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$197

Matched stereo pair microphone set, 2 Small diaphragm condenser microphones, Polar...

4.9 Expert Rating

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Schoeps Mono-Set MK 41

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,722

CMC-641 Set, Microphone set consists of 1x SCHOEPS CMC 6 microphone amplifier and 1x MK 41...

5 Expert Rating

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Schoeps Mono-Set MK 4

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,759

CMC-64 Set, Microphone set consisting of 1x SCHOEPS CMC 6 microphone amplifier and 1x MK 4...

4.4 Expert Rating

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SE Electronics SE8

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$229

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone, Handmade small diaphragm condenser capsule, Polar pattern:...

4.5 Expert Rating

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Sennheiser MZX 8000

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$274

XLR Module for MKH 8000 Series, 3-Pin XLR-M, Colour: Nextel black

4.6 Expert Rating

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SE Electronics SE8 Stereo Set

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$428

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones Stereo Set, Handmade small diaphragm condenser...

5 Expert Rating

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Superlux S502MKII

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$164

ORTF True Condenser Mcirophone System, Two 1/2" Condenser capsules with cardioid characteristic,...

4.9 Expert Rating

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Sennheiser E 914 Stereo Bundle

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$791

4.9 Expert Rating

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Neumann KK184 nx

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$659

Microphone Capsule Head, Suitable for Neumann KM A or KM D output stage, Polar pattern: Cardioid,...

4.8 Expert Rating

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Schoeps MiniCMIT

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$2,254

Shotgun Microphone, Compact condenser shotgun microphone with high suppression of diffuse noise, Well...

4.6 Expert Rating

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Telefunken M60 FET Cardioid Stereo-Set

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,588

Condenser Small Diaphragm Microphone Stereo Set, Pressure gradient, Polar...

4.7 Expert Rating

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Neumann KK143

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$769

Capsule head for KM A or KM D, Condensor, Polar pattern: Wide cardioid, System connector, Colour: Nickel

4.4 Expert Rating

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Peluso CEMC6

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$560

Condenser Miniature Microphone, Frequency response: 19 to 25,000 Hz, Polar pattern: Cardioid with...

4.9 Expert Rating

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Haun MBC 440 Stereo

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$725

Condenser Small Diaphragm Microphone pair, Matched stereo pair, Cardioid characteristic, Frequency...

5 Expert Rating

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Haun MBC 440

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$362

Condenser Small Diaphragm Microphone, Cardioid characteristic, Frequency response 40 - 20000 Hz,...

5 Expert Rating

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Rode NTG4+

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$285

Shotgun Condenser Microphone, Polar pattern: super cardioid, Internal lithium battery, Up to 150 hours...

4.9 Expert Rating

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Rode NTG4

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$263

Directional Condenser Microphone, Directional characteristic: Super-cardioid, Robust and weather-proof, High...

4.6 Expert Rating

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DPA 4018C

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,758

Compact Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone, Characteristic: Supercardioid, Frequency range: 20 - 20,000...

4.9 Expert Rating

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DPA 4017C

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,792

DPA 4017 C, Condenser Shotgun Microphone, Polar pattern: Super-cardioid, Frequency range: 20 - 20,000 Hz, Max. SPL...

5 Expert Rating

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AKG P170

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$91

Professional Condenser Small Diaphragm Microphone, Capsule: 0.5", Cardioid, Frequency range: 20 - 20,000 Hz,...

4.7 Expert Rating

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Schoeps V4 U USM Set B

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$2,969

Studio small diaphragm vocal microphone set in classic design, Warm and clear sound, Optimal 0...

4.6 Expert Rating

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Rode NTG3B black

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$714

Studio Shotgun Microphone, Polar pattern: Super-cardioid, Frequency range: 40 Hz - 20 kHz, Dynamic...

4.4 Expert Rating

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Sennheiser MKH 8090

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,484

RF Condenser Microphone, Polar pattern: Wide cardioid, Modular design, Frequency response: 30 -...

4.9 Expert Rating

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Shure VP 89L

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,264

Modular Condenser Directional Microphone, For animal reports, sports events, documentary films etc, 40 -...

4.5 Expert Rating

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Shure VP 89M

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,044

Modular Condenser Directional Microphone, For acceptance of audience reactions, talk shows, live...

4.5 Expert Rating

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DPA ST2011C

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$2,023

DPA ST 2011C, Stereo Microphone Set, Consisting of 2x compact modular reference standard microphone, Pre-polarized...

4.6 Expert Rating

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Rode NTG8

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,099

Shotgun Microphone, Long design, Polarised 1/2" super-cardioid capsule in high frequency technology,...

4.5 Expert Rating

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Shure VP 82

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$438

Shotgun Microphone, For semiprofessional AV applications, Excellent off-axis rejection, Lobar, Frequency...

4.9 Expert Rating

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Audio-Technica AT 4051 B

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$582

*15 Years manufacturer's warranty if registered at audio-technica.com within 30 days*

4.4 Expert Rating

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DPA ST2006C

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$1,868

DPA ST 2006C, Stereo Microphone Set *Consists of 2 modular compact reference standard microphones:*

5 Expert Rating

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MXL 606

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$76

Compact Diaphragm Condenser Microphone, Directional characteristic: Cardioid, Frequency range: 30 Hz - 20 kHz,...

4.8 Expert Rating

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Sennheiser MKH 8040 Stereo Pair

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$2,858

2x Condenser High-frequency Microphones, Cardioid, Modular design, 30-50000 Hz, 142 dB...

4.7 Expert Rating

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Audio-Technica AT 2031

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$120

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone, Especially suitable for recording stringed instruments...

4.7 Expert Rating

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the t.bone Ovid System CC 100

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$54

Condenser Clip Microphone for Ovid System, Directional characteristic: Cardioid,...

4.5 Expert Rating

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Rode NTG2 Dead Cat Bundle

Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

$292

4.6 Expert Rating

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Shop Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones 2026

Lewitt LCT 040 MATCH Bundle

Earthworks Audio SR20LS

Schoeps Mono Set MK 2 - CMC 1 U

Schoeps Mono Set MK 41 - CMC 1 U

Schoeps Mono Set MK 4 - CMC 1 U

Sanken CS-3e

Sanken CS-2

Sanken CSS-50

SE Electronics SE7

Rode NTG5 Kit

Shure R189B Black

Schoeps CMC 1 U

Rode TF-5

Lewitt LCT 040 MATCH stereo pair

Schoeps Mono-Set MK 41

Schoeps Mono-Set MK 4

SE Electronics SE8

Sennheiser MZX 8000

SE Electronics SE8 Stereo Set

Superlux S502MKII

Sennheiser E 914 Stereo Bundle

Neumann KK184 nx

Schoeps MiniCMIT

Telefunken M60 FET Cardioid Stereo-Set

Neumann KK143

Peluso CEMC6

Haun MBC 440 Stereo

Haun MBC 440

Rode NTG4+

Rode NTG4

DPA 4018C

DPA 4017C

AKG P170

Schoeps V4 U USM Set B

Rode NTG3B black

Sennheiser MKH 8090

Shure VP 89L

Shure VP 89M

DPA ST2011C

Rode NTG8

Shure VP 82

Audio-Technica AT 4051 B

DPA ST2006C

MXL 606

Sennheiser MKH 8040 Stereo Pair

Audio-Technica AT 2031

the t.bone Ovid System CC 100

Rode NTG2 Dead Cat Bundle

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