Don’t know what a XLR cable is? Bought a condenser microphone but don’t know what phantom power means? Here’s a reference jargon guide.

There are two main types of microphones: dynamic and capacitor (condenser).

Generally, condenser microphones are more expensive and considered better for recording most sounds, including vocals. Note that this is a very broad overview, refer to the excellent article on Sound On Sound for details about each type of microphone at http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/1995_articles/jun95/microphones.html

All stage microphones are dynamic because they are robust and the lesser sensitivity to sound is actually a bonus on stage, where the levels are high and there might be a lot of unwanted noise floating around. 

The 3 pin plug that you see on a microphone is called XLR.

Condenser microphones need power to work. As it would be impractical to have them connected to a socket, someone somewhere came up with the very bright idea of providing this power through the XLR cable. Such power is often referred to as “phantom power”.

Note that not any XLR input can provide phantom power. It needs to be specifically designed to do so.  You need to check that your mixer/pre-amp/soundcard provides such power if you want to plug your condenser microphone into them.

Usually, there is a little switch near the XLR input; it is often labelled “+48V”. You need to press it on for use with a condenser microphones (and switch it off for a dynamic microphone).

Condenser microphones are always connected with XLR-XLR cables, due to phantom power. Dynamic microphones can be connected with XLR-XLR cables, as well as XLR-1/4″ cables.

A 1/4″ plug is similar to the one you find on a guitar or at the back of your keyboard; most entry and mid level soundcards do not include XLR plugs. 

Mixers often have a limited number of XLR inputs; the cheaper the mixer, the fewer the number of XLR inputs. Also note that they don’t all provide phantom power.

Most pre-amps have a XLR input with phantom power, as they are often designed for use by vocalists, and most vocalists use a condenser microphone.

This is all i can think of for now - if you have a question about microphones, do not hesitate to ask in a comment

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