Polar patterns Flashcards
What does a microphone’s polar pattern describe?
A microphone’s polar pattern describes how it picks up sound from around its capsule.
How are directional microphones affected by the proximity effect?
Directional mics (cardioid, hypercardioid, figure-of-8) are affected by the proximity effect, which is a boost in low frequencies that increases the closer you get to the microphone.
What does the proximity effect look like on a frequency response graph?
The proximity effect is shown as a dotted line on a frequency response graph.
What is an omnidirectional microphone used for?
An omnidirectional mic picks up sound from all around the capsule and is used to capture sound with ambience.
What is a key characteristic of cardioid microphones?
Cardioid mics reject sound from behind, minimizing reverb and room noise.
How do hypercardioid microphones differ from cardioid mics?
Hypercardioid mics pick up a little sound from behind the capsule and provide partial isolation.
What is unique about figure-of-8 microphones?
Figure-of-8 mics reject sound from the sides and pick up sound from the front and behind the capsule.
What type of sound does a cardioid microphone primarily capture?
A cardioid microphone primarily captures sound from the front while rejecting sound from the rear.
How does the pickup pattern of a hypercardioid microphone differ from a cardioid microphone?
A hypercardioid microphone picks up a small amount of sound from behind the capsule in addition to the front, offering more isolation than a cardioid mic.
In which scenarios might an omnidirectional microphone be preferred over a directional one?
An omnidirectional microphone is preferred when you want to capture the ambience or natural reverberation of the environment, such as in live recordings or acoustic settings.
What does the “figure-of-8” polar pattern refer to?
The “figure-of-8” polar pattern refers to a microphone that picks up sound from both the front and the back of the capsule but rejects sound from the sides.
Why might a figure-of-8 microphone be useful in certain recording situations?
A figure-of-8 microphone is useful for recording two sound sources placed in front and behind the mic, as it isolates sounds from the sides.
What are the main types of directional microphones?
The main types of directional microphones are cardioid, hypercardioid, and figure-of-8.
How does the proximity effect impact the sound when using a directional microphone?
The proximity effect causes a boost in low frequencies the closer the microphone is to the sound source, making it sound fuller or bass-heavy.
