Sony PDX10 Workshop Handbook page 11

MICROPHONES: PICK-UP AND POLAR PATTERNS
Every type of mic has a different sensitivity to the direction the sound is coming from. Some mics only pick
up the sound in front of it, others pick up all sounds from all directions. This sensitivity, when plotted on a
graph, is called its polar pattern. Polar patterns help us choose the right mic for the job.
Om ni - di re c ti on al
This type of mic will pick up sound from all directions.
Omni-directional
C a r di o i d
Picks up sound only from in front of the microphone.
Cardioid or Uni-directional
Hy pe rc ar d ioi d
Variations on the cardioid patterns that pick up in a very focused area in front of the microphone.
Hyper-cardioid
90°
180°
90°
90°
180°
90°
90°
180°
90°
SONY PDX10 Handbook page 11
Microphones available at MNN
Lavalier (Condenser Mic)
Used for Interviews
635A Handheld
0°
(Dynamic Mic)
Used for Street
Interviews or Music
BeyerDynamic (Dynamic Mic)
Used for Street Interviews or
Musical Instruments
Shure SM58 (Dynamic Mic)
Used for Singing and Music
0°
RE11 (Dynamic Mic)
Best for use in a Mic Stand for
interview/ singing/music
Shotgun (Condenser Mic)
Best for use with a Boom
Pole or on camera-hot shoe
0°
mount for dialogue/inter-
views/sound fx/longer range
sounds.