Super Cardioid Microphones: Applications and Advantages
Super Cardioid Microphones: Applications and Advantages
Super cardioid microphones are specialized tools in the realm of sound engineering, offering more targeted sound capture compared to traditional cardioid microphones. These microphones are highly directional, making them indispensable in a variety of settings, from live performances to surveillance and sports broadcasting.
Directionality and Live Performances
One significant advantage of super cardioid microphones is their ability to capture sound more effectively in live performance scenarios. Unlike cardioid microphones, super cardioid mics have a null point at about 120 degrees off-axis to the front, allowing two speaker monitors to be placed to the side of the performer without causing feedback or picking up unwanted noise.
The evenness of the off-axis response is another benefit of super cardioid microphones. This is particularly advantageous for recording instruments such as guitars, as it ensures a more consistent and balanced sound across different angles.
Video Recording and Outdoor Sound Capture
For video recording, particularly in outdoor settings, super cardioid microphones are highly effective. Traditional 'shotgun' microphones used in this context tend to have 'side lobes' and a small pickup area behind them. This setup can lead to unwanted room reverb sounds, especially in echoey environments like small rooms with low ceilings.
When boomed over the heads of on-camera talent, these microphones can get close to the ceiling, picking up room reverb sounds that can degrade the audio quality. To mitigate this, super cardioid microphones are a better choice due to their reduced rear pickup, ensuring a clearer, reverb-free sound.
Noisy Environments and Surveillance
In unavoidable noisy environments, super cardioid microphones excel at isolating a specific voice or instrument while minimizing ambient noise. This makes them popular among eavesdroppers and surveillance professionals. Their highly directional nature allows for precise sound capture, even in challenging conditions.
Sometimes, a parabolic dish is used to focus the microphone cartridge, increasing its directional capability even further. This setup is particularly useful in scenarios where the source of the sound is far away, such as distant conversations or distant musical performances.
Professional Applications in Sports Broadcasting
Super cardioid microphones find frequent use in sports broadcasting. In these settings, the goal is to capture sound from the field without having to get physically closer to the action. While they are not commonly used in studios, the close to live feel they provide is highly valued.
By using super cardioid microphones for live multi-track recording or performances, sound engineers can achieve reasonable track separation. This results in a live feel but won't provide 100% separation unless additional equipment like direct inputs (DIs) or separate recording booths are used.
Overall, super cardioid microphones are highly specialized tools that offer unique advantages in varied applications. Whether it's the perfect choice for live performances, video recording, surveillance, or sports broadcasting, their directional capabilities make them indispensable in the world of sound engineering.