In a previous article, we discussed the difference between dynamic and condenser microphones. We learned that while dynamic microphones are more suitable for rough environments, condenser microphones can reproduce crisp and delicate sounds.
In this article, we dig deeper into the world of microphones and learn about polar patterns, yet another detail that you should be aware of when choosing the right microphone for the job.
The polar pattern, which is also called the pick-up pattern, describes how a microphone picks up sound. In other words, it tells how sensitive the microphone is to sound waves coming in from the 3-dimensional directions surrounding it.
Why Are Polar Patterns Important?
Knowing the polar pattern of a microphone helps in selecting the right tool for the job. By learning how microphones pick up and reject sound, you can reduce feedback, isolate sound sources from one another, and control the proximity effect. Generally speaking, choosing your mic wisely can significantly improve the quality of your recordings.
So if you are looking to take your knowledge about microphones to the next level, the following information about the different types of polar patterns is what you need!
Omnidirectional
Omnidirectional is the most simple pattern among the rest of them. Microphones with this polar pattern are equally sensitive to sound from all directions. They follow and measure the change in sound pressure but have no means of detecting the sound wave direction.
Practically speaking, this means the pointing direction of those microphones is not significant for the audio quality. What is critical, however, is the proximity of the subject. In this sense, Omni microphones are the most flexible microphones but also the noisest.
Artists use Omni microphones in their home studios to record acoustic guitars, percussion, and background vocals. Since this type of microphones is good at capturing the sound of the room, it is often used to record instruments when capturing ambiance is also intended. Additionally, those mics are perfect for recording audio that is hard to control, such as interviews, conferences, and moving subjects.
Recommended Omni Mic:
- Warm Audio WA-47 – Get it today from Mello Store!
Also supports 8 other patterns.
Cardioid
Cardioid or unidirectional microphones are most sensitive to sound coming from the front but less sensitive to sound coming from the sides and ignore the majority of sound coming from the back.
Most of the time, this is how you want your microphone to pick up sound, and that is why the great majority of stage and studio microphones come with a cardioid pattern.
Because they are great at minimizing reflected sound, cardioid microphones are ideal for recording in untreated rooms. Moreover, they also work perfectly in live performances, weddings, and other kinds of events with sound coming from all directions.
But although cardioid microphones are better at excluding background noise and room reflection than an Omni microphone, they tend to suffer from a boost in bass frequencies in the case of extreme close-miking. This behavior is called the proximity effect, which is a phenomenon exclusive to cardioid microphones.
Additionally, when the sound moves further off the axis, cardioid microphones also suffer from a drop in high-frequency sensitivity.
Recommended Cardioid Mic:
- Lauten Audio LS-208 – Get it today from Mello Store!
Figure-8
A microphone with a Figure-8 or bidirectional pattern is sensitive to sound coming from the front and the rear but highly rejects sound coming from the sides.
Figure-8 is the natural pattern of ribbon microphones, that’s because the physical make-up of their design requires it. Additionally, most multi-pattern condensers have a figure-8 pattern, but besides that, microphones with a figure-8 pattern are pretty rare.
This type of microphone is ideal for performing Blumlein Pair and Mid/Side stereo techniques. Moreover, it is effective in isolating instruments in close proximity.
With correct positioning, a figure-8 mic can achieve more isolation than any other polar pattern.
Tip: to efficiently isolate with a figure-8 microphone, place an acoustic absorption at the rear end of the mic to block out any unwanted noises.
Recommended Figure-8 Mic:
- Warm Audio WA-47 – Get it today from Mello Store!
Also supports 8 other patterns.
Super-Cardioid And Hyper-Cardioid Patterns
Those patterns are not common in a recording studio. They are, however, essential for filmmakers.
Super-Cardioid
A super-cardioid pattern is in between cardioid and figure-8. Compared to regular cardioids, those microphones have less sensitivity to sound coming from sides and are more sensitive to sound coming from the rear.
This pattern works best for recording in live situations and is widely found in shotgun mics used on boom poles or mounted to the top of a camera.
On the other hand, musicians use figure-8 microphones to record drums like the snare to avoid as much spill from the hi-hat as possible.
Hypercardioid.
The main difference between hyper-cardioid and super-cardioid mics is how much they pick up the rear and side noise. The front pick-up angle in a hyper-cardioid is narrower and more focused, which results in more rejection of unwanted noise and feedback.
Multi-Pattern Mics
Learning about polar patterns and how to efficiently utilize each one of them to create your perfect track, you would ideally want to have a set of microphones. But if purchasing more than one microphone beyond your budget, you can still record with the ideal pick-up pattern by opting for a multi-pattern microphone.
By varying the output from two back-to-back cardioid capsules, multi-pattern microphones can produce almost any polar pattern imaginable.
Recommended Multi-Pattern Mic:
- Lauten Audio Atlantis FC-387 – Get it today from Mello Store!
Conclusion
Choosing the right tool is vital for creating the perfect track. In the case of microphones, picking up a mic with a polar pattern that fits the situation can surprise you with the quality of the results.
At Mello Studio we work with sound artists to equip their home studios with the tools they need to share their talent with the world. Get in touch with us today to help you choose you in upgrading your workspace.
