Condenser microphones function by way of a combination of moving plates and electricity. Because electricity is such a central component, they must be powered by an external source, often either a battery or Phantom Power sent through an XLR cable. Condenser mics are sensitive and delicate. They result in subtle and clean sound quality, though the necessity of external power can be a drawback to a laptop-based recording setup. Use a condenser mic in a number of settings: high quality vocal recording, strings, subtle acoustic instruments, cymbals and drum overheads.
Dynamic microphones work by way of moving magnetic coils, and do not require external power. For these reasons, they are more durable than their condenser counterparts and often less expensive. Because of their mechanical configuration, the sound waves must do more work to produce a signal. Their durability and ease of use make them ideal for live sound settings, though they can be used to great effect in a recording studio as well. Use a dynamic mic for louder applications such as individual drums or guitar amplifiers.
Pickup pattern and mic placement are two of the most important things to consider in your microphone setup. An omnidirectional microphone is designed to pick up sound from all directions. If you are recording room sounds or other sounds with diffuse sources, an omnidirectional mic may be appropriate. A cardioid microphone picks up sound in a heart-shaped pattern. There are many variations on the tightness of this pattern, such as hyper-cardioid and sub-cardioid. If you need to pick up sound from a single, directional source, use a cardioid mic. Furthermore, experiment with mic placement. There is no right way to place a microphone, and different placements can give you drastically different audio results.
Audio interfaces and preamps are two other necessary components in your laptop-based recording studio. An audio interface connects audio equipment to your computer. Audio interfaces vary in size, quality, and number of input ports. Make sure that your audio interface has enough inputs for your recording project, or else use a mixer. A preamp boosts the signal of a microphone to line level so that it can be processed along with other audio signals. Many audio interfaces have built-in preamps, though dedicated standalone preamps are often higher in quality.