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Conventional Polar Response vs. Near-perfect Polar Response
Before reading this information, if you were asked to spread your arms to indi-
cate the width of the pick-up pattern of a conventional cardioid microphone, you
would probably indicate something like shown in Figure 2a. The actual polar
response of a typical conventional microphone (with full frequency response, i.e.
no loss of high frequencies) is illustrated in Figure 2b. Notice that the shaded
area in Figures 2a and 2b is virtually the same. Outside of the shaded area
there will be a substantial loss of high frequency information.
Figure 2a. Typical pick up area (with full frequency
response) of a conventional cardioid microphone
indicated by extending arms
In contrast, if one were asked to spread their arms to indicate the width of the
pick-up pattern of an Earthworks cardioid microphone, they would indicate
something like shown in Figure 3a. The actual polar response of an Earthworks
cardioid microphone (with full frequency response, i.e. no loss of high frequen-
cies) is illustrated in Figure 3b. Again, notice that the shaded areas in Figures
3a and 3b are virtually the same. Notice on the Earthworks microphone (Figure
3b) that even outside the shaded area there is a very minimal change or loss
in the level of high frequency information.
Figure 3a. Typical pick-up area (with full frequency
response) of an Earthworks cardioid microphone
indicated by extending arms
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Figure 2b. Typical polar pattern (with full frequency
response) of a conventional cardioid microphone
Figure 3b. Typical polar pattern (with full frequency
response) of an Earthworks cardioid microphone
How Earthworks Near-perfect Polar Response Can Benefit You
There are several ways near-perfect polar response can benefit you.
1. Use of fewer microphones
2. Ability to place microphones closer to the sound source for more gain
before feedback.
3. No spotlighting or highlighting
4. More rejection of sounds from the rear of the microphone
5. Singers on the sides of the microphone enjoy the same quality as those
in front of the microphone
Fewer Microphones Required
Referring to Figure 2b, notice how narrow the pick-up pattern is on a conven-
tional cardioid microphone. In comparison, notice how much wider the pickup
pattern is on the Earthworks cardioid microphone (Figure 3b). Keep in mind
that the shaded areas in these figures indicate the area where you can obtain
the full frequency response of the microphone without a significant loss of high
frequencies.
Conventional microphones (Figure 2b) only provide a narrow window (or area)
in which they can pick up sounds with full frequency response. Figure 4 below,
shows an 80-voice choir miked with conventional microphones. It takes 6 con-
ventional microphones, placed 6 feet in front of the choir, to adequately cover
the choir with the full frequency response of the microphones.
Figure 4. An 80-voice choir miked with 6 conventional microphones at 6 feet
In contrast, the near-perfect polar response of Earthworks cardioid micro-
phones provide a wider pickup pattern (or area) where you can obtain the full
frequency response of the microphones. Figure 5 on the following page, is the
same 80-voice choir is covered using only 3 Earthworks cardioid microphones.
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