Today we are talking about microphone polar patterns, and what microphone you should invest in. Polar patterns in microphones are basically the range and directions that the microphone picks up sound from. There are different kinds of polar patterns for different situations.
Cardioid Polar Pattern
The first kind of polar pattern is a cardioid pattern. The cardioid pattern picks up anything in front and to the sides of the microphone. This makes the cardioid mic really good in controlled environments, such as a studio where there is not much background noise, allowing the mic to just pick up your voice. Cardioid mics are everywhere. They are the most common kind of pattern that you will find.
Omnidirectional Polar Pattern
Let’s say you actually want to capture some background noise. Maybe you are making a documentary, or you want to capture audio at a public event. That’s where an omnidirectional polar pattern comes in. It can capture anything around it, regardless of what side of the microphone audio is coming in from.
Bidirectional Polar Pattern
The last kind of polar pattern is a bidirectional, or figure-of-eight polar pattern. These kinds of microphones pick up sound from the front and back, but not from the sides. Let’s say you have 2 people across the table from one another, wanting to record their conversation. This polar pattern in great for recording podcasts.
So, what type of microphone should you use for your next business video or audio recording? Hopefully this article has helped clear up some of the confusion and given you a good starting point. If you need help with your corporate audio and video, give us a call! Our team is experienced in all types of production and can recommend the best equipment for your needs. Thanks for reading, and happy recording!
