Microphone Pick-up Patterns

Proximity Effect

Every directional microphone (i.e. cardioid, supercardioid) has a so-called proximity effect. This is created when the microphone moves closer to the sound source resulting in an increase in bass response and, hence, warmer sound. Professional singers often work with this effect. To test this out, experiment with bringing the microphone closer to your lips when singing and listen for the change in sound.

Pickup patterns are very important when considering which microphone you want to use. The purpose of a microphone is to record sound and therefore you have to choose one which is suited to what you're doing.

Omnidirectional

These microphones pick up sound in a 360 degree radius. It picks up sound with equal gain from every direction.

Cardioid

A unidirectional (cardioid) pickup pattern isolates the main sound source while minimising unwanted background noise.(It is called Cardioid as it is shaped similarly to a heart).

Hypercardoid

This microphone has the same principal as a Cardioid microphone, in that the main sensitivity is in the front.

Shotgun

This has a narrow pick up range and it picks up sound at an extremely light sensitivity levels.

Therefore if you're standing a couple of metres from the...

This means that no matter what side of the microphone you are standing on, you will be heard with the same gain all around. This is most commonly used for interviews as the microphone can be held in the middle of the two people and doesn't need to be moved.

M58

An example of an omnidirectional microphone is the M58. A legendary vocal microphone designed for use in live performance (interviews), sound reinforcements and studio recording. It picks up sound in all directions, doesn't dip in volume and is very consistent.

This microphone picks up sound in only one direction but it has a very sensitive gain to the direction you are pointing it is twice as sensitive as the gain in an omni microphone. For interviews, this may be annoying as you'd have to consistently turn the mic back and forth . Although it would be efficient in interviews which included one individuals voice, live performances and etc.

Audio Technica AT4051b

The Audio-Technica AT4051 is the microphone to use for professional results in both recording and broadcast. It features exceptionally low self-noise, very high output and fast transient response. It accepts optional interchangeable capsules: AT4049a-EL (omnidirectional) and AT4053a-EL (hypercardioid).

They are more directional though as they have a reduced sensitivity at either sides and they have a small sensitivity from behind (not as big as from the front). They can be used when isolation between sound sources is required in the desired outcome.

Audio Technica AT4053b

An example of a hypercardiod microphone is the Audio Technica AT4053b. The uses of a hypercardiod microphone are to isolate the sound from a subject or direction when there is a lot of ambient noise; they pick up sound from a subject at a distance but positioning these highly-directional mics is somewhat tricky. They have sensitive rear lobes that pick up sound.

...microphone, there is a high chance that your voice will still be picked up clearly and loudly.

However, it is important that there is no sound in the other directions 90 degrees from the main subject as there is still a small pick up sensitivity from the sides and from the back.

Rode NTG2

An example of a shot gun microphone is the Rode NTG2 boom microphone which is very specific by recording minimum noise from the sides and bottom.

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