What are microphone polar patterns? If you don’t work in the audio field, then the term may be completely unfamiliar to you. Having a working knowledge of polar patterns, also known as pickup patterns, is crucial when it comes to choosing the best microphone or microphones to use for a specific project. We’ll break down what a polar pattern is and explain the different types of patterns.
What are Microphone Polar Patterns
First, let’s define polar patterns
There are different types of polar patterns. We will define the overall term first, then get into the specifics of each pattern type. If you come across any other terms that are unfamiliar to you, our ultimate guide to filmmaking terminology is a helpful resource for looking things up.
POLAR PATTERN DEFINITION
What is a polar pattern?
A polar pattern is the space around a microphone where it picks up sound or is the most sensitive to sound. These patterns can be visualized in three-dimensional space. Different microphones have different polar patterns, and these patterns play a role in determining their best uses.
Microphone Polar Patterns Characteristics:
- Three-dimensional space
- Originates from the microphone capsule
- Comes in different shapes
What are the three types of microphone pickup patterns? Those would be cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-8, also known as bidirectional.
For tips on capturing great audio, be sure to check out our ultimate guide to audio recording. Let’s get into each of these types in more detail.
Microphone Types and Polar Patterns
Mic polar patterns — cardioid
Cardioid polar pattern • Types of polar patterns
Microphones with a cardioid polar pattern pick up quality sound in a heart-shaped pattern in front of the microphone. The sides of the microphone are less sensitive but will still pick up a usable degree of sound at a closer range, while the rear of the microphone is entirely out of range.
Cardioid vs. Hypercardioid • types of polar patterns
In addition to the cardioid polar pattern, there are also the supercardioid and hypercardioid polar patterns. You will notice that these polar patterns look quite similar. Both patterns have a similar front-facing pickup pattern, plus an additional back-facing pickup range.
Super and hypercardioid • mic polar patterns
The major distinction between these two patterns is that with hypercardioid polar patterns, the rear-facing range is larger.
Different Types of Microphone Polar Patterns
Mic polar patterns — omnidirectional
Omnidirectional polar pattern • Polar coordinates microphones
Microphones with an omnidirectional polar pattern pick up audio equally throughout a 360-degree space. The range of this sphere-like space can vary from microphone to microphone. But the shape of the pattern will hold true and the audio quality will remain consistent from any angle when using an omnidirectional microphone.
Omnidirectional vs. cardioid • Pattern microphone
The above video compares the omnidirectional pickup pattern with the cardioid pickup pattern. There are circumstances where each polar pattern type would be preferable over the other.
Polar Coordinates Microphones
Mic polar patterns — bidirectional
Figure-8 polar pattern • Microphone patterns and uses
The bidirectional polar pattern is also known as the figure-8 polar pattern because the shape of the pickup area forms the outline of a figure-8. A bidirectional microphone records audio directly in front of and directly behind the capsule without picking up sound from the sides.
The following video shows how a bidirectional mic can be used to record guitar and vocals simultaneously.
The figure-8 polar pattern in action • What are Microphone Polar Patterns
The video above shows just one of many possible applications of a microphone utilizing a figure-8 polar pattern. Each polar pattern type has its specific uses, so be sure to pick the microphone with the right polar pattern for the job.
UP NEXT
What is a Lavalier Microphone?
Now that we know what microphone polar pickup patterns are, it just might be the perfect time to start researching the different types of microphones that utilize these pickup patterns. Lavalier microphones are a good place to start. We’ll explain what lavalier mics are, how they work, and why you might want to use them.
Up Next: Lav Mics →
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Can a condenser mic have a figure-8 polar pattern? I've always assumed the term was reserved for cardioid pattern devices.