3. Hyper-Cardioid or Super-Cardioid

Hyper-Cardioid or Super-Cardioid microphones pick up sounds from the front of the microphone, nothing or little from the sides and a small amount of sound from the back of the microphone. They are sometimes called super-directional. The polar pattern looks like this:

Hyper-Cardioid microphones are often used for stage or instrument applications where you want to isolate the sound from the sound of voices or instruments either side of you. An example of a hypercardioid microphone is the Shure Beta58.

4. Bi-Directional or Figure-of-Eight

Microphones with a bi-directional or figure-of-eight pick-up pattern pick up sounds from the front and back but not the sides, and have a polar pattern that looks like this:

They are great for situations where you need to pick up sound from two sources but do not want unwanted sound coming from the sides. For example, a microphone placed between two instruments or to capture a conversation between two people on a busy street.

Microphones with switchable patterns

Some microphones such as the AKG SE300B come with attachable heads called capsules. These capsules change the pick-up pattern:

Other microphones such as the Shure KSM44 have a switch to choose a particular pattern:

Feedback

If there is one enemy of beatboxers then it is feedback. Feedback can ruin a gig as well as the ears of the people standing close to the speakers!

Feedback is caused by the microphone picking up the sound from the speakers. The sound loops around the system and each time it is amplified. This is why feedback starts off quiet and then gets louder. Feedback often occurs at a pitch, tone or note that depends on the size and dimensions of the room (this is called the rooms resonant frequency).

1. Cupping the Microphone

Cupping the microphone with your hand or fingers (as we beatboxers often do) has a dramatic effect on the directionality of the microphone. Rather than restricting the directionality, it actually widens it! For example, if you cup a Shure SM58, it turns it from a cardioid/unidirectional microphone to an omnidirectional microphone. This means that it now picks up sound from all directions and will pick up sound from the speakers or stage monitors. This is why cupping the mic may make it ring or squeal. So, it becomes a balance between the extra punchiness/loudness you get from cupping the mic, and being prone to feedback.

2. Matching Pattern to Monitors

It is also important to match the microphone that you are using with the monitoring system that is used. Because omnidirectional microphones pick up sounds from all directions, they are prone to feedback. Hypercardioid micrphones are more directional and are less prone to feedback. In fact, in many situations you will find the Shure Beta58 feeds back less than a Shure SM58.

Think about where the sound is coming from and what the pick-up pattern of the mic is. Imagine you turn up to a gig and the on-stage monitors are at each side of the stage. Will you use your SM58 or Beta58?

A final word

I am always being asked which mic is better - so please, no more emails! Better is subjective. It depends on application - what are you going to use it for, how you are going to use it, and where you are going to use it - and your budget. If you would like more information then check out the Tips and Techniques forum or search the site.

Heaps of Peace

Gavin Tyte (aka TyTe)