About Polar Patterns
An important characteristic of any microphone is its directionality or polar pattern.
The G-Track Pro feature dual 1" capsules, allowing for a choice of three individual
polar patterns: omnidirectional, unidirectional (cardioid), and bidirectional
(figure-8). The microphone pattern can be selected using the three-position
slide switch below the left side of the grill. Each pattern has distinct pick-up
characteristics with respect to the sensitivity and frequency response to sounds
arriving from different directions. The following section discusses some of the
features of each pattern, to help you choose the best setting for your application.
Omnidirectional - The omnidirectional setting
reproduces sound from all directions, (including off-
axis), with an even frequency response, which makes
it resistant to the phenomenon known as proximity
effect. It captures a greater amount of ambient sound
than the other settings, and thus will include more of
the room sound than when using a directional setting.
The omnidirectional setting is great for recording
ensemble performances including group vocals, brass,
woodwind, and other instruments with the artists
facing each other in a circle around the microphone.
To select the omnidirectional pickup pattern, set the
pattern selection switch to the right position.
Unidirectional (Cardioid) - The cardioid pickup
pattern is the most widely used for studio and live
miking applications. It captures sound in front of
the microphone and rejects sound from the sides
and back, which allows for better separation of
instruments in the studio, and picks up more of the
instrument sound in relation to the sound of the room.
The separation also allows for more control and more
gain before feedback in live sound reinforcement
situations. To select the cardioid pickup pattern, set
the pattern selection switch to the center position.
Bidirectional (Figure-8) - This setting captures sound
directly in front and back of the microphone while
rejecting sound on the left and right sides, and has
minimal off-axis frequency response deterioration.
It is very useful in a variety of stereo microphone
techniques. The figure-8 pattern can be used to
simultaneously capture two instruments or vocalists
by positioning the microphone directly between them,
so one is addressing the front of the microphone
and the other the rear. To select the figure-8 pickup
pattern, set the pattern selection switch to the left
position.
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G-Track Pro • Professional USB Microphone with Audio Interface
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