Switchable Pattern Microphones

[bkshepard]

Okay, so I completely understand how the various venting structures on microphone capsules allow them to be different pickup patterns (cardioid, omni, figure-eight, etc.), but I have never understood what electronic magic occurs in a microphone that can change it's pattern by merely flipping a switch. How does that work? What sort of electronic wizardry is at play here?

I'm not interested in starting some sort of feud over which type or model is better or anything like that, I'm just curious to know how it actually works. Thanks.

[Shooshie]

You'd do better to find a site online that has diagrams. It's a visual thing. I can tell you that it works by way of cancellation, determining which ports allow sound to come in, and so forth, but you wouldn't get the full effect until you see it in action. It's a combination of electrical and acoustical interference.

Shooshie

[resolectric]

Okay, so I completely understand how the various venting structures on microphone capsules allow them to be different pickup patterns (cardioid, omni, figure-eight, etc.), but I have never understood what electronic magic occurs in a microphone that can change it's pattern by merely flipping a switch. How does that work? What sort of electronic wizardry is at play here?

I'm not interested in starting some sort of feud over which type or model is better or anything like that, I'm just curious to know how it actually works. Thanks.

Follow this link: Microphones With Switchable Polar Patterns.
Hope this helps.

[Gibble]

Follow this link: Microphones With Switchable Polar Patterns.
Hope this helps.

I was curious about this as well, thanks for the link to that article resolectric

Gibble

[resolectric]

Glad to be of help.

[bkshepard]

resolectric, that article is exactly what I was looking for! Thanks so much!