by Logan Anderson

Created on: December 12, 2006   Last Updated: April 01, 2007

Omnidirectional microphones capture sound from all directions. A sound from directly in front of the microphone would theoretically be as loud as a sound from directly behind or even above the microphone. Omnidirectional microphones are great for capturing ambiances and sounds that are coming from many different directions at once.

Cardioid & Hypercardioid microphones are directional, meaning they are better at recording what they are pointed at. These are best for situations where the sound source can be narrowed down to a general direction and you want to minimize noise or sounds from behind you. For example, cardioids are great for recording concerts where there is a noisy crowd behind you. Hypercardioids are simply a more directional version of basic cardioids.

Shotgun microphones are more directional than cardioids. They are best used for recording far away sounds or really quiet sounds for which you have a precise direction. It is this required precision that makes shotgun microphones significantly more difficult to use properly.

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