Mic Polar Pattern Visualizer

Knowledge Base

How to Read a Polar Pattern

A polar pattern diagram shows how sensitive a microphone is to sound arriving from different angles, with 0° (top of the circle) representing sound coming from directly in front. The closer the curve is to the outer edge at a given angle, the more sensitive the mic is to sound from that direction.

The Common Patterns

• Omnidirectional: Equal sensitivity in every direction. A perfect circle. Good for room ambience or when the sound source might move around.
• Cardioid: Heart-shaped, most sensitive to the front, rejecting sound from directly behind. The most common pattern for vocals and podcasting.
• Supercardioid / Hypercardioid: Narrower front pickup than cardioid, with a small rear lobe of sensitivity, used when you need tighter isolation from side noise and can tolerate some rear pickup.
• Figure-8 (Bidirectional): Equal sensitivity front and back, near-total rejection from the sides: used for two people facing each other on one mic, or in Mid-Side stereo recording.

Why This Matters for Mic Placement

Understanding your mic's null points (the angles of least sensitivity) tells you where to aim noise sources. A computer fan or air conditioner should sit at the mic's null angle, not just "somewhere off to the side."

FAQ

Q: Why does my cardioid mic still pick up some sound from behind?
A: Cardioid patterns reduce, but don't eliminate, rear sensitivity, real-world mics also rarely match the idealised mathematical pattern shown in a simplified diagram exactly.

Q: Which pattern should I use for a two-person interview on one mic?
A: Figure-8, positioned with each speaker facing one of the two front/back lobes. This is the classic setup for that scenario.