[jules80]

Hi Tiffie,

'Dynamic' mics don't need an electical power source to work. You just plug them into your mixer and sing into them.

A Condenser (or capacitor) mic needs a power source to make it work.
That power source can be found on your mixer (or audio interface) and all you do is plug the mic in to the right place, and push the 'phantom power' button to make it work.

ALTERNATIVELY you can get a condenser mic that will accept a battery internally (like the C1000 etc) in which case you don't need 'phantom' power.

Always turn the phantom power buttons off if you are not using a capacitive mic.

Recording in a studio? - Well, you CAN use either type and one is not NECESSARILY better than the other. You should try as many different mics as you can get a hold of and see which one you prefer.

My voice is not very good as I had a childhood accident - but it sounds much better through an SM57 (normally not regarded as a vocal mic) than an expensive condenser mic.

There is no such thing as the 'perfect' mic - Try as many as you can and don't buy one 'just because it's expensive and must be good'.

Hope that's helped a little.
Now I am off to send back my new Fast Track Ultra as I have had nothing but trouble with it! lol

Jules80