What do the symbols mean on my Audio-Technica Microphone? (Part 2 – Pickup Pattern)
Answer: This week we continue our look at the symbols on microphones by focusing on Pickup Pattern indicators. If you missed last week’s post about Low Cut and Pad symbols, you can read it here.
Microphones that offer multiple Pickup Patterns will have a switch on the microphone body that allows you to select the pattern or, as with some mics in our UniPoint line, will accept various interchangeable elements.
AT4047MP with Switchable Polar Pattern
Pickup Patterns
(Click the hyperlinked words below for additional information from our online Glossary, and check out our YouTube channel for tips on recording with multi-pattern mics.)
The microphone element picks up sound evenly from all directions, creating a sphere of sound acceptance.
The microphone element’s pickup is directional, favoring sounds in front of the microphone, while rejecting sounds from the rear. The resultant pickup pattern is roughly spherical except to the rear of the microphone where the sound is rejected. The pattern looks like an upside-down heart shape if seen from above.
The microphone element picks up sound equally well from the front and the back. The pickup pattern looks like a three-dimensional figure 8 (hence the alias Figure 8) with lobes extending from the front and rear of the element.
The microphone element’s pickup is similar to a cardioid pattern with the front of the element having the greatest sensitivity. The difference is that the “non-pickup” or null points are on the back left and back right of the element (150-160 degrees and 200-210 degrees) with a pickup lobe at the rear of the microphone, creating a pattern that resembles a mushroom.
Here are some examples of Audio-Technica Multi-Pattern Microphones: AT4050, AT4047MP, AT2050, U857QL.
U857QL with Interchangeable Elements
By understanding polar patterns you’ll be able to use your Audio-Technica multi-pattern microphone to greater effect. We hope this post cleared up any confusion about the polar pattern symbols on our microphones and about the patterns themselves. But if you still have questions, feel free to contact our Audio Solutions Department – they’re always here to help!
Check back next week for the conclusion of out three-part “Question of the Week” look at microphone symbols.