Simple Explanation

The direction in which a microphone picks up sound, such as from all directions (omni) or just from the front (cardioid).

Concise Technical Definition

A polar pattern describes the directional sensitivity of a microphone, showing how it picks up sound from different directions. Common patterns include omni (all directions), cardioid (front only), and figure-eight (front and back).

Layman-Friendly Analogy

Think of it like a flashlight beam—some microphones pick up sound from all around (omni), others focus on sounds directly in front of them (cardioid), and some even pick up from the front and back, like a figure-eight.

Industry Usage Summary

Polar patterns are essential in determining how microphones are used in various recording or live sound scenarios. For example, cardioid microphones are popular for live performances because they pick up sound from the front and reject noise from the sides and back. Omni microphones are used in situations where capturing sound from all directions is needed, such as in room recordings or conferences. Different polar patterns help audio engineers choose the right microphone for specific applications, like interviews, studio recordings, or ambient sound capture.

Engineering Shortcut

The directional characteristic of a microphone, showing how it picks up sound from various angles.

Full Technical Explanation

A polar pattern is a graphical representation of a microphone’s directional sensitivity, illustrating how the microphone picks up sound from various angles around its diaphragm. Common polar patterns include omni-directional (picking up sound equally from all directions), cardioid (picking up sound primarily from the front), and figure-eight (picking up sound from the front and back while rejecting sound from the sides). There are also variations such as supercardioid and hypercardioid, which narrow the direction of pickup even further. The choice of polar pattern is important for controlling unwanted noise, feedback, and room reflections during recording or live sound situations.