{"id":4092,"date":"2022-11-04T19:46:17","date_gmt":"2022-11-04T19:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/soundref.com\/?page_id=4092"},"modified":"2024-02-19T15:41:13","modified_gmt":"2024-02-19T15:41:13","slug":"microphone-polar-patterns","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/soundref.com\/microphone-polar-patterns\/","title":{"rendered":"microphone polar patterns"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

The Different Microphone Polar Patterns<\/strong><\/h1>\n\n\n
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A guide to choosing the perfect pick up pattern for your mic<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n

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\"What<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Although most microphones look similar, different polar patterns mean they pick up sound in very different ways. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Some mics pick up sound from the front, some from the sides. And others pick up sound from everywhere, no matter where you place the mic. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Each microphone polar pattern has its pros and cons, depending on what you’re recording, where you’re recording it, and the sound you’re after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The 6 microphone polar patterns<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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There’s 6 basic polar patterns to choose from, ranging from the ‘cardioid’ which behaves as you’d expect a mic to, to the bidirectional which might surprise you!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Index of microphone polar patterns:<\/strong><\/h5>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

1) Cardioid<\/a>
2) Supercardioid<\/a>
3) Bidirectional (figure of 8)<\/a>
4) Hypercardioid<\/a>
5) Lobar (shotgun)<\/a>
6) Omnidirectional<\/a>
7) Switchable multi patterns<\/a>
8) Side address vs front address<\/a><\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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\"Cardioid<\/a>
Cardioid<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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\"supercardioid<\/a>
Supercardioid<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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\"Hypercardioid<\/a>
Hypercardioid<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n
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\"Omnidirectional<\/a>
Omnidirectional<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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\"Lobar,<\/a>
Lobar<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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\"Bidirectional,<\/a>
Bidirectional<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n
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Let’s take a look at each microphone polar pattern, starting with the most common type – the cardioid. <\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

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Cardioid<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n
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\"Cardioid<\/figure>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n
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This is the heart shaped polar pattern you’ll find on most microphones. It’s very intuitive \u2013 you point the mic towards the sound you want to record.<\/p>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n

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Most live vocal mics<\/a> are cardioids, or variations of cardioids (below). This is because a cardioid mic only records what it’s pointing at. It will leave out anything coming from the sides and the back. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

For live use, a cardioid mic will minimise sound from the stage monitors and nearby instruments. It’s also pretty good at stopping feedback. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the recording studio, cardioid mics also have their uses. Because the mic only picks up sound from the front of the mic, it’s less likely to pick up the sound of the room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

And seeing as most home recording studios don’t have the best acoustic treatment, this is where a cardioid polar pattern can come in really handy. Here’s a quick and easy set up for recording vocals and instruments:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Just set up one corner of the room with duvets and blankets. Stand in the corner, in front of those sound absorbing blankets, facing outwards. Place the cardioid mic in front of you, pointing towards you, which will be into the corner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

One of the drawbacks of a cardioid polar pattern is a less open and natural sound when compared to an omnidirectional microphone, which picks up sound from all around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

So if you’re recording in a room with beautiful acoustics, and there’s no distant traffic noise, or interfering sounds, you’d probably want to swap your cardioid for an omni.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Cardioid polar patterns are suitable for:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n