Just how there are multiple classifications of headphones — open, closed, over-ear, on-ear — there is a multitude of microphone types. Your needs will dictate whether you should buy a dynamic mic or condenser microphone. Likewise, perhaps you’ll want one with multiple recording patterns as opposed to a one-trick pony, so to speak. This guide is for anyone who knows they want to start recording, performing, or live streaming music or spoken word, but doesn’t quite know where to begin when it comes to purchasing the hardware.