Uploaded June 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
A valuable test for recording engineers, David Mellor gives examples of different mic types to emphasise the importance of knowing your mic collection in detail so that you're using the correct one for the recording task at hand. Cardioid, Supercardioid, Figure of 8 and Omnidirectional are compared.
Mic Polar Patterns Part 1 - youtu.be/owyokMiq478
Mic Techniques For Stereo Sound - youtu.be/p-GpfVdl-AQ
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:23 - Testing The Schoeps CMC 6
01:44 - Cardioid Examples
05:39 - Testing With Percussion
06:33 - Supercardioid Examples
08:40 - Figure Of 8 Examples
11:22 - Omnidirectional Examples
14:05 - Testing With Percussion
14:58 - Testing Each Mic Type at 0 Degrees
17:00 - Testing Each Mic Type at 45 Degrees
18:19 - Testing Each Mic Type at 90 Degrees
19:42 - Testing Each Mic Type at 180 Degrees
21:15 - Summary
First published 14th March 2024
soundonsound.com/sound-advice/mic-polar-patterns-part-2-podcast
David Mellor Biog
David Mellor got his start in pro audio through the Tonmeister course at Surrey University studying music, piano performance, acoustics, electronics, electro-acoustics and recording.
He went on to work at London's Royal Opera House, with responsibilities including sound design, front-of-house operation, stage monitoring and electronic design satisfying the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Karlheinz Stockhausen. He has also had over 600 works published in the field of production music, including the Chappell and Carlin music libraries (now combined into Universal Publishing Production Music). Notable uses of his music include the BBC's Horizon, Fahrenheit 911, and the Oprah Winfrey Show.
David has been actively involved in Audio Education since 1986, teaching students of City of Westminster College and Westminster University, and also returning to lecture at Surrey University. He also worked with John Cage on the International Dance Course at the University of Surrey. David now specialises in online audio education and has been Course Director of Audio Masterclass since 2001.
audiomasterclass.com
About The Recording & Mixing Podcast Channel
On this channel you’ll find shows packed with hints and tips about getting the most out of the recording, mixing and mastering process.
______________________________________________________
Catch more shows on our podcast channel.
soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts
Available on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.
______________________________________________________
Subscribe to Sound On Sound: https://sosm.ag/subscribe
Visit our main website (over 17,600 articles!): soundonsound.com
______________________________________________________
Get FREE (2nd Edition) 170-page RECORDING TECHNOLOGY eBook: https://sosm.ag/recording-ebook
______________________________________________________
Get 50% SAVING off a Sound On Sound Digital Subscription.
Go to https://sosm.ag/digital and apply Promo Code: SOSYT50
Like FACEBOOK: facebook.com/soundonsoundmag
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A valuable test for recording engineers, David Mellor gives examples of different mic types to emphasise the importance of knowing your mic collection in detail so that you're using the correct one for the recording task at hand. Cardioid, Supercardioid, Figure of 8 and Omnidirectional are compared.
Mic Polar Patterns Part 1 - youtu.be/owyokMiq478
Mic Techniques For Stereo Sound - youtu.be/p-GpfVdl-AQ
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction
00:23 - Testing The Schoeps CMC 6
01:44 - Cardioid Examples
05:39 - Testing With Percussion
06:33 - Supercardioid Examples
08:40 - Figure Of 8 Examples
11:22 - Omnidirectional Examples
14:05 - Testing With Percussion
14:58 - Testing Each Mic Type at 0 Degrees
17:00 - Testing Each Mic Type at 45 Degrees
18:19 - Testing Each Mic Type at 90 Degrees
19:42 - Testing Each Mic Type at 180 Degrees
21:15 - Summary
First published 14th March 2024
soundonsound.com/sound-advice/mic-polar-patterns-part-2-podcast
David Mellor Biog
David Mellor got his start in pro audio through the Tonmeister course at Surrey University studying music, piano performance, acoustics, electronics, electro-acoustics and recording.
He went on to work at London's Royal Opera House, with responsibilities including sound design, front-of-house operation, stage monitoring and electronic design satisfying the likes of Luciano Pavarotti, Placido Domingo, Dame Kiri Te Kanawa and Karlheinz Stockhausen. He has also had over 600 works published in the field of production music, including the Chappell and Carlin music libraries (now combined into Universal Publishing Production Music). Notable uses of his music include the BBC's Horizon, Fahrenheit 911, and the Oprah Winfrey Show.
David has been actively involved in Audio Education since 1986, teaching students of City of Westminster College and Westminster University, and also returning to lecture at Surrey University. He also worked with John Cage on the International Dance Course at the University of Surrey. David now specialises in online audio education and has been Course Director of Audio Masterclass since 2001.
audiomasterclass.com
About The Recording & Mixing Podcast Channel
On this channel you’ll find shows packed with hints and tips about getting the most out of the recording, mixing and mastering process.
______________________________________________________
Catch more shows on our podcast channel.
soundonsound.com/sos-podcasts
Available on Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon or wherever you get your podcasts.
______________________________________________________
Subscribe to Sound On Sound: https://sosm.ag/subscribe
Visit our main website (over 17,600 articles!): soundonsound.com
______________________________________________________
Get FREE (2nd Edition) 170-page RECORDING TECHNOLOGY eBook: https://sosm.ag/recording-ebook
______________________________________________________
Get 50% SAVING off a Sound On Sound Digital Subscription.
Go to https://sosm.ag/digital and apply Promo Code: SOSYT50
Like FACEBOOK: facebook.com/soundonsoundmag
Follow X (Twitter): twitter.com/soundonsoundmag
Follow INSTAGRAM: instagram.com/soundonsoundmag
