their output signal depends on the differences in air pressure between the front and
rear of the capsule. All pressure gradient microphones exhibit some degree of
proximity effect. This means that there is a rise in their bass response when
positioned very close to the sound source. This can be easily controlled by
adjusting the distance between the microphone its sound source.
Hyper-Cardioid Pickup Pattern
The Hyper-Cardioid pattern is an exaggerated version of the Cardioid pattern. It is
a narrower pickup pattern than the normal Cardioid response and it is very
directional, greatly reducing sound from the sides and rear.
Omni-Directional Pickup Pattern
The Omni-directional pattern means the microphone will capture sound equally
from all directions. The Omni-directional pattern will not exhibit the proximity
bass boost effect inherent in Cardioid or Hyper-Cardioid patterns.
Omni-directional microphones have a very natural sound. This pattern is often
used where there is a need to capture the sound of the room acoustics or where
there are several musicians or singers performing together. Omni-directional
microphones are often used for stereo recording of ensembles or when the sound is
coming from many directions or if the sound source is moving.
Figure-of-8 (Bi-Directional) Pickup Pattern
The Figure-of-Eight pattern means the microphone will capture sound equally
from both the front and rear of the microphone, but not from the sides.
Sound arriving from the sides will result in equal air pressure on both sides of the
diaphragm & consequently there will be no electrical output. Conversely, on-axis
sounds produce the maximum pressure differential & hence the maximum output.
Figure-of-eight microphones are often used in stereo recording applications and
where a high degree of rejection of off-axis sounds would be useful.
Care & Maintenance
The ECM-47 contains fragile parts, including the tube, which may be easily
damaged by excessive shocks, such as dropping it onto a hard surface.
