For speech, performance, or recording, a cardioid polar pattern captures sound mainly from the front while reducing pickup from the sides and rear, which can help focus on a speaker or performer. Choose a microphone style that suits the setup, then position its front toward the sound source and away from nearby unwanted noise.

A cardioid microphone picks up sound mainly from the front and reduces pickup from the sides and rear, while an omnidirectional microphone captures sound from around the microphone. A bidirectional microphone picks up sound from the front and back while reducing pickup from the sides, which can suit interviews or conversations across a table.

A microphone’s polar pattern describes which directions it picks up sound from, helping guide placement relative to talkers, speakers, and noise sources. The cardioid microphones in this category pick up sound mainly from the front and reduce pickup from the rear, so aim the front toward the intended source and place unwanted noise behind the microphone.

Choose a directional polar pattern, such as cardioid, when you want to focus on a speaker or performer and reduce pickup from other directions, such as in speech reinforcement or recording in a busy space. Choose an omnidirectional pattern when you need to capture voices or ambient sound from multiple directions around the microphone.