Technology

Microphone Pickup Patterns

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Updated:4/10/2026
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Pickup Pattern
Sensitivity Angle
Rejection Direction
Proximity Effect
Best Use Cases
Example Microphone
Cardioid
131 degreesRear (180 degrees)ModerateVocals, podcasting, live performance, instrument close-mikingShure SM58
Supercardioid
115 degreesRear sides (125 degrees)Moderate-highLoud stages, drum overheads, dialogue with bleed rejectionNeumann KM 185
Hypercardioid
105 degreesSides (110 degrees)HighFilm dialogue, very loud stages, maximum isolationSennheiser MKH 50
Omnidirectional
360 degreesNoneNoneRoom ambience, lavalier mics, orchestral recording, measurementDPA 4006A
Figure-8 (Bidirectional)
Two 90-degree lobesSides (90 / 270 degrees)HighRibbon mics, Blumlein stereo pair, interview across table, M/S recordingRoyer R-121
Shotgun (Lobar)
Narrow ~40 degreesSides and partial rearLowFilm production, wildlife recording, sports broadcast, ENGSennheiser MKH 416
Wide Cardioid (Sub-cardioid)
180 degreesPartial rearLow-moderateChoral recording, room mics, piano, natural captureSchoeps MK 21
Boundary / PZM
Hemisphere above surfaceBelow surfaceNoneConference tables, stage floors, kick drum inside, theaterCrown PZM-30D
Multi-Pattern (Switchable)
VariableVariablePattern dependentStudio versatility, condenser vocal mics, A/B testing patternsNeumann U 87 Ai
Toroidal
360 horizontal, null at top/bottomDirectly above and belowNoneSurround recording, ambisonic capture, immersive audioSennheiser AMBEO VR Mic
Parabolic
Extremely narrow, dish-focusedAll except focal pointNoneSideline sports, nature documentary, long-range surveillance audioTelinga Pro 7 Dat
Mid-Side (M/S Pair)
Adjustable stereo widthDepends on mid micVariesFilm stereo, broadcast, mono-compatible stereo recordingSchoeps CMIT 5U + MK 8
XY Stereo Pair
Fixed 90-135 degree spreadRear of each capsuleModerate per capsuleField recording, acoustic ensemble, interview stereoRode NT4
ORTF Stereo Pair
110 degree angle, 17 cm spacingRear of each cardioidModerate per capsuleOrchestral recording, natural stereo image, film ambienceSchoeps MSTC 64 ORTF
Decca Tree
Three omnis in triangleMinimal per capsuleNone per capsuleFull orchestra, film score recording, large ensembleDPA 4006A x3 on Decca tree

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