
Instead of a heart facing out from the mic, picture a mic surrounded by a large bubble in which any sound is recorded. This USB mic type picks up on sound signals coming from the front, sides, and back with equal strength.

When it comes to podcast applications, this type of USB microphone works well for getting quality recorded vocals spoken directly into the mic from the front.Īn omnidirectional mic indiscriminately records sound from any direction. In this scenario, the mic will mostly pick up the singer's vocals while simultaneously capturing some of the sounds from the band without picking up sounds from the audience. Musicians frequently use cardioid microphones for live performances when accompanied by a band and facing a live audience. Generally, a cardioid mic won’t pick up sound coming from directly behind. This type of mic is most sensitive to sound signals coming from directly in front, but will also pick up some sound coming from the sides. Cardioid MicrophonesĬardioid microphones get their name from the shape of cardioid pickup patterns, which resemble a heart extending from the front of the mic. Understanding the differences will help you choose the best USB mic for your needs, based on your show’s content and the set up of your recording studio. Each pattern has advantages and disadvantages when it comes to recording certain types of sound. The pickup pattern of a microphone determines the direction that the mic receives and records a signal. Each type records sound differently using specific polar patterns. You can usually find three kinds of USB mics: cardioid microphones, omnidirectional microphones, and figure-8 microphones. You can begin recording without any additional pieces of recording equipment.

The addition of these circuits makes it possible to plug a USB mic directly into a desktop computer or tablet.
