Polar Patterns

Polar Patterns - circular diasgrams with “circular” divisions representing 5dB of sensitivity which allows you to see where the microphone picks up the strongest to the weakest sounds at different points, this can be used to identify the optimum positioning of microphones when recording.

• Mic 1 has an omnidirectional pattern – meaning the entire red area is equally sensitive to sound.

• Mic 2 has a figure-8 pattern – meaning the two blue areas on the front and back are sensitve, while the sides are ignored.

• Mic 3 has a cardioid pattern – meaning the green area in front of the mic is most sensitive, the sides are less sensitive, and the rear is ignored.

Variations

• Supercardioid – which is like cardioid, but NARROWER, with a small bulb of rear sensitivity.

• Hypercardioid – which is like supercardioid, but narrow still, and with a larger bulb in the rear.

• Multi polar patterns – which provides several polar pattern options in a single mic.