Polar pattern

Question 1

Omnidirectional

Answer 1

Captures sound equally from all directions

Question 2

Uses of omnidirectional

Answer 2

Ideal for capturing ambient sound, interviews, and large groups

Question 3

Cardioid

Answer 3

Heart-shaped, picking up sound mostly from the front and sides while rejecting sound from the rear

Question 4

Uses of cardioid

Answer 4

Popular for vocal recording, speeches, and instruments, as it isolates unwanted background noise

Question 5

Subcardioid

Answer 5

Primarily from the front, with more side and rear pickup than a cardioid

Question 6

Uses of subcardioid

Answer 6

Useful when you want more natural room sound but still need some isolation from the rear noise, such as in studio or live recording environments

Question 7

Supercardioid

Answer 7

Similar to cardioid but with a tighter pickup angle at the front and slight pickup at the rear

Question 8

Uses of supercardioid

Answer 8

Used in noisy environments or on-stage performances

Question 9

Hypercardioid

Answer 9

Even narrower than supercardioid with more rear pickup

Question 10

Uses of hypercardioid

Answer 10

Useful in very noisy environments where the focus on sound directly in front is crucial

Question 11

Figure-8

Answer 11

Picks up sound equally from the front and rear while rejecting sound from the sides

Question 12

Uses of figure-8

Answer 12

Duet recording or interviews where 2 sources are on opposite sides of the mic

Question 13

Shotgun

Answer 13

Highly directional, capturing sound in a narrow beam from the front and rejecting sound from the sides and rear

Question 14

Uses of shotgun

Answer 14

Used in film and TV to focus in specific from a distance