Difference between microphones

[Mike150]

Hi everybody!

That´a very important question, so please help me....

What´s the big difference between condenser and tube microphones?

I hope that´s the right forum.

Thx

Mike

[jon_010101]

Generally, a tube microphone is a condenser microphone that uses a tube (often a 12AX7 or similar) for gain and to help drive the mic cable. Condenser mics that don't use tubes have a FET or op-amp to do the same task. The catch (cost aside) is that tube condenser mics require a dedicated external power supply, while solid state condenser mics can run off standard 48V "phantom power" provided by the mic preamp.