ENGINEERING REFERENCE
Kick Drum Microphone Polar Patterns
Choose a polar pattern for what it should reject as well as what it should capture. Cardioid-family microphones offer useful isolation but exhibit proximity effect; supercardioid and hypercardioid patterns have rear pickup lobes; omni captures a more open perspective without proximity effect; figure-eight rejects strongly at the sides.
IMMEDIATE ANSWER
Start here
Choose a polar pattern for what it should reject as well as what it should capture. Cardioid-family microphones offer useful isolation but exhibit proximity effect; supercardioid and hypercardioid patterns have rear pickup lobes; omni captures a more open perspective without proximity effect; figure-eight rejects strongly at the sides.
WHY IT WORKS
The recording mechanism
A polar pattern describes sensitivity by angle, and that sensitivity changes with frequency. A microphone’s null can reduce cymbal, monitor or room pickup only when the unwanted source actually arrives from that least-sensitive direction.
CONTROLLED TEST
Make the decision in this order
- Read the microphone’s polar plots at more than one frequency.
- Aim the null toward the loudest unwanted source.
- Move the microphone closer and farther to hear proximity effect.
- Check spill after the EQ or compression you intend to use.
COMMON MISTAKES
Avoid these traps
- Pointing the back of a supercardioid microphone at a monitor.
- Treating a polar pattern as identical at every frequency.
- Using omni when live feedback margin is limited.
- Choosing the tightest pattern without considering its rear lobe.
LISTEN FOR…
What should improve
- Useful isolation without unnatural off-axis cymbal tone.
- Low-frequency buildup caused by distance rather than the drum.
- Feedback or room pickup from a rear lobe.
FREQUENTLY ASKED
Questions around this recording decision
Kick Drum Microphone Polar Patterns
Choose a polar pattern for what it should reject as well as what it should capture. Cardioid-family microphones offer useful isolation but exhibit proximity effect; supercardioid and hypercardioid patterns have rear pickup lobes; omni captures a more open perspective without proximity effect; figure-eight rejects strongly at the sides.
What should I test first?
Read the microphone’s polar plots at more than one frequency.
Why does this recording choice matter?
A polar pattern describes sensitivity by angle, and that sensitivity changes with frequency. A microphone’s null can reduce cymbal, monitor or room pickup only when the unwanted source actually arrives from that least-sensitive direction.
What is a common mistake?
Pointing the back of a supercardioid microphone at a monitor.
SOURCES
References behind this answer
- Microphone Directionality and Polar Pattern BasicsSource: Shure
- How to Choose the Right MicrophoneSource: Shure
- BETA 52A User GuideSource: Shure
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