Question: How far away will my microphone pick up sound?

Answer: As in all things audio the answer to this question is "it depends." It depends on how loud your sound source is versus how loud the background noise is. It depends on how high you can set the gain on your audio system before it begins to feed back. It depends on how the microphone is being used:  for sound reinforcement within a room, for audio-video conferencing, for recording, etc. And it greatly depends upon the acoustics of the room. However, microphones are like ears, and they can sense distance. And, as with ears, microphones can vary in sensitivity. The greater a microphone’s sensitivity the greater its potential pickup distance. The microphone’s directionality, or polar pattern, is also a factor. A cardioid polar pattern, for example, will pick up sounds from farther away than an omnidirectional polar pattern will.  

BP4027 Stereo Shotgun Microphone

We hope you found this information helpful. Be sure to check back each Wednesday for a new “Question of Week.” And, remember, if you need assistance with your Audio-Technica gear, please contact our Audio Solutions Department. We are always happy to help!