Polar patterns: where the mic listens

A polar pattern shows from which directions a mic picks up sound.

• Cardioid: heart-shaped, rejects sound from behind. Default for vocals.
• Omnidirectional: equal in all directions. Captures room sound naturally.
• Figure-8: front and back, rejects the sides. Great for duets.
• Hypercardioid: tighter than cardioid, rejects more side sound, used in noisy live shows.