AUDIO
MICROPHONE 101 // WHAT MATTERS MOST( AND WHAT DOESN’ T) | Steve Sattler
If you serve on a worship team, chances are you use a microphone every single week. Yet many musicians never move beyond simply holding it and singing. The truth is that a little understanding goes a long way. You don’ t need to become an audio engineer to improve your sound, you just need to know what actually matters and let go of what doesn’ t.
One common distraction is brand obsession. It’ s easy to get caught up in debates about which microphone is“ best,” but in most church settings, the gear you’ re already using is probably more than capable. The difference between a good and great vocal sound rarely comes down to the brand— it comes down to consistency and technique.
Let’ s start with the basics. At the most fundamental level, not all microphones are the same. In most worship environments, you’ ll encounter two primary types: dynamic and condenser microphones. Dynamic microphones are the workhorses of the church
stage. They’ re durable, reliable, and designed for live environments where conditions aren’ t always predictable. In fact, there’ s a very good chance your church already owns one or more of the most iconic examples ever made: the Shure SM58. Widely considered the most popular handheld microphone in the world, The Shure SM 58 has been a global standard since the 1960s and continues to show up everywhere- from small churches to major concert tours.
That reputation isn’ t hype— it’ s been earned over decades. The Shure SM58 is famously durable, often described as nearly indestructible. It offers excellent feedback rejection thanks to its cardioid pickup pattern, making it ideal for loud stages like most worship environments. Its frequency response is tailored for vocals in a way that naturally helps voices sit well in a mix, and it delivers all of that at a price point that’ s accessible for churches of almost any size. Simply put, it just works— and it keeps working even in unforgiving environments.
Condenser microphones also play an important role. These mics are more sensitive and detailed, which makes them ideal for capturing choirs, acoustic instruments, or studio recordings. A great example is the Audio-Technica AT2020 Cardioid Condenser Microphone. This microphone has become a favorite for churches, especially when it comes to streaming and recording. It captures more detail than a typical dynamic mic, making it ideal for online worship, spoken word, and acoustic moments.
Pickup patterns describe how a microphone“ hears” sound from different directions and understanding this can make a big difference in a worship setting. Most microphones used on stage— like the Shure SM58 or the Audio- Technica AT2020— use a cardioid pattern, which means they capture sound mainly from the front while rejecting sound from the sides and rear. This is especially helpful on a church stage, where monitors and other instruments can easily cause feedback or bleed into your
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