Omnidirectional Microphones An essential part of a good recording system is a well-chosen microphone. As we earlier mentioned, an omnidirectional mic … A unidirectional microphone may be better at keeping background noise out of the recording and amplifying equation. Omnidirectional vs. unidirectional microphone An omnidirectional microphone is commonly used for television shows and in concerts when the audience are expected to hear sounds from multiple directions. Recording with the best omnidirectional microphone is easy and can give you major tonal advantages without excess gain. Why should I use an omnidirectional microphone? Some microphones also come with multiple patterns to switch between, including omnidirectional, bidirectional, and unidirectional. Read on. 202 posts; 202 posts; Posted April 30, 2015. is there any difference in the sound quality between these 2 mics? The 3 basic patterns are: omnidirectional; figure-8; cardioid; Here’s a diagram showing how they look: As you can see… Mic 1 has an omnidirectional pattern – meaning the entire red area is equally sensitive to sound. Another risk with omnidirectional microphones involves the triangle between the microphone, the performer, and the speakers. If it is a unidirectional mic, then it is only going to pick up sound that is coming from one direction. Using an omni will provide better sound, but more possiblity of … Many people think omni directional mics aren’t great for recording or live sound and that’s just not true. Sometimes you want sound coming from all directions, sometimes you don't. Outdoor usage: omni microphones are less affected by the wind noises. However, comparing them and picking one of them will take forever. This can come in handy if you are looking to minimize background noise. If an omnidirectional microphone is placed too close to the speakers, it will pick up extraneous noise. Which situations are those? If you don't know the difference, then you should, because finding the right kind of mic for the right situation is a must for any video production. If you're recording a single person's voice and that is the sole focus, a unidirectional mic will allow you to capture it more clearly. Reel Rebel #36 breaks down the difference between omni-directional and cardioid mics. Among other benefits, omnidirectional microphones are less susceptible to what is called a proximity effect. Directionality (Unidirectional Vs Omnidirectional) Different mics pick up audio from different directions. A polar pattern graph shows the variation in sensitivity 360 degrees around the microphone - assuming that the microphone is in the centre and that 0 degrees represents the front. Directional Mic compared to an Omnidirectional Mic The omnidirectional microphone will be more prone to feedback. A proximity effect makes bass levels vary depending to the distance from the microphone, so getting to close may result in unnecessary low frequency boost and vice-versa. In many situations, a unidirectional mic is actually preferable to an omnidirectional mic, because it blocks out unwanted sound. The three basic directional types of microphones are omnidirectional, unidirectional, and bidirectional. A microphone’s polar pattern is the 3-dimensional space surrounding the capsule where it is MOST sensitive to sound. Audio is a science of compromises. Knowing the similarities and difference between the different types of microphones can help you make the right choice. Omni mics do produce gain in the critical zone, but outside of that they have plenty of advantages. You will find tons of mics online. 9 Best Omnidirectional Microphones 2020.