Microphone pickup patterns

These are the 5 most common microphone pickup patterns.

Omnidirectional mics – are really not suited to on-stage applications because they pickup equally in all directions. This is why I recommend staying away from Lav or lapel mics: the cheaper ones are most often omnidirectional.

Cardioid mics – are the most common mics used in churches.  They have good off-axis rejection as illustrated in the second picture above.  They are less likely to pick up sound in the direction of the mic body.  Also they tend to be less expensive then super cardioid or hyper cardioid.

Super and hyper cardioid mics – have a lobe of pickup in the direction of the mic body. So placing these with a monitor directly behind them can cause feedback problems.

Bi-directional or figure 8 mics – are not very common in churches.  They pickup 90 degrees from the body of the mic.   They are really only effective when placed between two sound sources because they pick up the sides and not directly in front of the mic.

Shotgun mics – have a exaggerated cardioid pattern with the major pick up lobe out the front and two or more minor lobes to the sides and back. The major lobe allows for good long distance, narrow field pickup in the front.

Where would you use these mics?

I am sure there is a lot of debate about where to use what mic. The following is based on my personal preferences and experiences.

For vocals – either hand held or on mic stand, I would use a cardioid. This is because of the lack of lobe to the back and the wider pickup field to the front. This lobe patterns allows the person using it to be not as precise talking into the mic.  Amateur vocalists tend to move around more and often find it difficult to keep the mics very close to their mouths. 

For picking up a musical instrument or amplifier – I would use a super or hyper cardioid mic. Because the mic and the source don’t move, there won’t be any sound level drops.  (However, when there is movement such as vocalists, this mic would not work as well.)  Also any monitors could be placed in the null space of the mic to prevent feedback.

For church use – the figure 8 or bi-directional pick up would have limited use. The only exception maybe for two people sharing one mic on a stand, with a monitor placed in the direction of the body of the mic.

Shotgun mics – are good for a choir from a distance.

If you don’t have lots of distance you can use two or three cardioid mics for the choir.