Supercardioid microphone

Definition

A supercardioid microphone is a type of directional microphone that has a pickup pattern primarily focused on sound coming from in front of it, while also capturing some sound from the sides. This mic is designed to reject noise coming from the rear, making it ideal for situations where isolation from background sounds is essential. Its unique polar pattern allows for precise audio capture, making it a popular choice for live performances and film production.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Supercardioid microphones provide better isolation from unwanted noise than cardioid mics due to their narrower pickup angle.
2. They have a small lobe of sensitivity at the rear, meaning they can pick up some sound from behind, so placement needs to be considered carefully.
3. These microphones are commonly used in theater, live music, and broadcasting because of their ability to focus on specific sound sources.
4. The supercardioid pattern allows for greater feedback rejection, making them useful for monitoring setups with speakers nearby.
5. Understanding the supercardioid pickup pattern can help in determining the best placement in environments with multiple sound sources or background noise.

Review Questions

• How does the polar pattern of a supercardioid microphone influence its use in live performance settings?
  • The polar pattern of a supercardioid microphone allows it to focus on sounds directly in front while minimizing background noise from the sides and rear. This characteristic makes it especially useful in live performance settings where multiple sound sources are present. By effectively isolating vocals or instruments from ambient noise, supercardioid microphones help ensure clear audio capture, which is essential for audience enjoyment and professional sound quality.
• What are the advantages and potential drawbacks of using a supercardioid microphone compared to an omnidirectional microphone in film production?
  • Using a supercardioid microphone in film production offers the advantage of isolating dialogue or specific sounds from background noise, enhancing audio clarity. However, the potential drawback is that it may pick up unwanted sound if not positioned correctly due to its rear lobe sensitivity. In contrast, an omnidirectional microphone captures sound from all directions, which can be useful in capturing ambient audio but might introduce more background noise into the recording. The choice between these two types ultimately depends on the specific audio requirements of the scene being filmed.
• Evaluate how understanding the supercardioid microphone's characteristics can impact your approach to audio recording in various environments.
  • Understanding the characteristics of a supercardioid microphone can greatly enhance your approach to audio recording in diverse environments. For instance, knowing that this mic rejects sound from behind helps inform placement decisions when recording in crowded spaces or near loud machinery. Additionally, recognizing its tendency to pick up some side sounds allows for strategic positioning relative to other sound sources, optimizing audio quality. This knowledge ensures that you capture clear and focused recordings while minimizing unwanted noise interference across different recording scenarios.

Related terms

Cardioid Microphone: A cardioid microphone has a heart-shaped pickup pattern that captures sound primarily from the front while rejecting sounds from the sides and rear.

Omnidirectional Microphone: An omnidirectional microphone picks up sound equally from all directions, providing a more ambient audio capture compared to directional mics.

Polar Pattern: The polar pattern describes how sensitive a microphone is to sound waves coming from different directions, influencing how well it captures audio from specific sources.