Omnidirectional Microphone
Omni-directional microphones, commonly known as “omni mics,” stand as pivotal tools within the realms of audio recording and broadcasting. Their extraordinary capability to capture sound from all directions makes them indispensable and highly coveted across a wide spectrum of applications.Omnidirectional microphones are microphones that pick up sound with equal gain from all sides or directions of the microphone. This means that whether a user speaks into the microphone from the front, back, left or right side, the microphone will record the signals all with equal gain. This is in contrast to unidirectional microphones, which pick up sound with high sensitivity only from a specific side.
Advantages of Omnidirectional Microphone
Less wind noise
The rear acoustic ports that are present on every
unidirectional microphone are also additional
openings into which wind can enter. Also wind
blowing by the rear ports can create turbulence and
that causes wind noise. An omni has no rear ports so
wind noise is minimized.
Less popping from plosive sounds
Those darn rear ports are also to blame for the
plosive "p", "t", and
"b" sounds that can occur when a talker is
too close to a unidirectional microphone. Though an
omnidirectional mic can also be "popped",
it is much more resistant than a unidirectional.
No bass build up due to proximity effect
An omnidirectional mic does not exhibit a build-up
of bass ("boominess") when the talker is
close. Proximity effect, as this is known, is a
characteristic of unidirectional microphones.
Eliminate the rear ports and there would be no
proximity effect, but the microphone would then be
an omni.
Less handling and vibration noise
As most handling and vibration noise consists of low
frequencies, the lack of proximity effect with an
omni equates to less of this type of noise.
May be used upside down as well as right side
up
As an omnidirectional mic hears equally well in all
directions, it works whether it is right side up or
upside down. While using a microphone upside down
rarely happens with handheld designs, it is a common
occurrence with tiny clip-on lavalier mics.
No chance of speaking outside of the polar
pattern
Many talkers pay little attention to where the
microphone is located on a lectern, so they often
wander away from the front of the mic without
realizing the sonic consequences. Speaking into the
rear or sides of a unidirectional microphone will
result in a very low level and muffled audio
quality. This is not a problem with an omni mic.
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Omnidirectional Microphone Different Types of Polar Patterns
Bidirectional polar pattern
‘Bi:’means ‘two.’a bidirectional model
has a polar pattern that looks like the symbol for infinity.
This is a special-purpose mic. This type of device might be
used to record two people facing each other so that both can
speak or sing directly into it from the opposite sides.
Unidirectional polar pattern
A unidirectional microphone picks up more sound coming from
one direction. There are also subcategories in this group that
are highly-focused mics. The pick-up pattern for this category
is called ‘cardioid’ because it is heart-shaped.
Omnidirectional polar pattern
Since omnidirectional models record from all directions
equally, a model of this type is often used on a boom stand
and held above the sound source. If you want to record a group
of people singing a cappella in harmony with each other, you
could use an omnidirectional device hanging down from a boom
in the center of the group.
Switchable polar patterns
Some devices offer the capability to switch from one polar
patter to another, convenient if the use of the mic changes.
You will find models with the choice of an omnidirectional or
unidirectional pattern. You change the pick-up pattern by
using an on-mic switch.
Why Use an Omnidirectional Microphone
To capture sound from all directions
Omnidirectional microphones are designed to pick up sound equally
from all directions, which makes them well-suited for capturing
sound in a 360-degree environment or for recording a group of
people.
For natural sound reproduction
Omnidirectional microphones are often used to capture a natural,
uncolored sound, as they do not have the proximity effect
(increased bass response when the sound source is close to the
microphone) that is common with directional microphones.
To capture a wide soundstage
Omnidirectional microphones can capture a wide soundstage, which
can be useful for recording music or other audio in a spacious
environment.
To minimize handling noise
Omnidirectional microphones are less sensitive to handling noise
than directional microphones, which makes them a good choice for
situations where the microphone may be moved or touched during
recording.
Inside parabolic microphones
Interestingly, omnidirectional mics are often used inside
parabolic collectors to create the most directional pickup pattern
available. The all-encompassing pickup pattern ensures that the
sound reflected off the entire surface of collector dish is
captured by the mic. More directional microphones may miss out on
a significant portion of the reflected sound energy.
Application of Omnidirectional Microphone
Recording ambience
But more generally, an omnidirectional mic is the type to
use whenever you want to capture ambience, for instance, in
a studio when you want to record, say, an acoustic guitar,
percussion, and background voices in a session that sounds
better with ambience.
Close-proximity recording
As mentioned, an omnidirectional doesn't suffer from the
proximity effect that a unidirectional microphone is
susceptible to. This is because there's only one side of
the capsule open to air as opposed to both sides being
open.So, with an omnidirectional you can bring the mic nice
and close to a source of sound without worrying about the
build-up of “boominess”.
All-around recording
Given its ability to record sounds coming from all
directions, an omnidirectional microphone is useful in
situations where you want to record sounds from two or more
positions around the microphone at the same time.A single
omnidirectional can do the job, provided that you're
comfortable with the surrounding sounds it may pick up.
Podcasting with two participants
If you're a podcaster and only have a single microphone,
then an omnidirectional mic is a versatile mic to have for
interviewing guests.While you could also use a figure-eight
mic in this case, with an omnidirectional you have more
flexibility in where you and your guest can sit.
Lavalier or lapel microphones
Lavalier or lapel microphones tend to be omnidirectional
mics.This allows them to be positioned anywhere on a person
and still pick up sounds from all around the mic.
Field recording
An omnidirectional polar pattern is well-suited for
situations when you want to capture the full array of sounds
in the field, for instance in scientific research
applications.Omnidirectional polar patterns are a great
choice for these situations as they're equally sensitive
to picking up sounds from wherever they're coming.
Why Use an Omnidirectional Microphone
To capture sound from all directions
Omnidirectional microphones are designed to pick up sound equally
from all directions, which makes them well-suited for capturing
sound in a 360-degree environment or for recording a group of
people.
For natural sound reproduction
Omnidirectional microphones are often used to capture a natural,
uncolored sound, as they do not have the proximity effect
(increased bass response when the sound source is close to the
microphone) that is common with directional microphones.
To capture a wide soundstage
Omnidirectional microphones can capture a wide soundstage, which
can be useful for recording music or other audio in a spacious
environment.
To minimize handling noise
Omnidirectional microphones are less sensitive to handling noise
than directional microphones, which makes them a good choice for
situations where the microphone may be moved or touched during
recording.
Inside parabolic microphones
Interestingly, omnidirectional mics are often used inside
parabolic collectors to create the most directional pickup pattern
available. The all-encompassing pickup pattern ensures that the
sound reflected off the entire surface of collector dish is
captured by the mic. More directional microphones may miss out on
a significant portion of the reflected sound energy.
Foam particles from windscreens and storage boxes from settling on the capsule. Put a plastic bag over the mic when you are not working, and always bag the mic before storing it in its case.
Always use a stocking screen pop filter when recording vocals. It will intercept a singer’s spit/saliva mist from gumming up the diaphragm and keep the electrically charged capsule from turning into an attractive flypaper for airborne particles. A contaminated capsule will eventually affect high frequencies, cause discharge noise, or shut down completely.
Always keep a minimum distance of six inches between the mouth and mic to prevent plosives from damaging the capsule.
Always connect the cable from the power supply to the tube condenser mic before turning the power supply on. Voltage shock from a live power supply (hot plugging) can damage or kill a tube.
Never put your condenser mic where you would not put your ears. Condensers are very sensitive instruments that respond to minute changes in sound pressure. Excessive sound pressure level (SPL) will eventually degrade the capsule’s diaphragm the same way prolonged exposure will damage your hearing.
Omni-directional microphones operate on the principle of pressure gradient. When sound waves reach the microphone, they create pressure variations on the diaphragm. Since an omni microphone is equally sensitive to pressure changes from all directions, it captures the entire sound field without bias.The microphone’s diaphragm vibrates in response to these pressure changes. This movement modulates the capacitance between the diaphragm and backplate, resulting in an electrical signal. This signal is then amplified and sent to recording equipment or a sound system.
What Is the Difference Between Unidirectional and Omnidirectional Microphones?
Omnidirectional has about the same sensitivity and frequency response to sound coming from any direction. There may be a small change, but it will be less than 3 Db off from any angle. Omni mics typically have the flattest frequency response, but they are susceptible to picking up unwanted sounds from around and even behind the mic.
Unidirectional has greater sensitivity in one direction, and less in the other directions. There are many different levels of unidirectional mics. Cardiod is the most basic. They typically drop off over 6 Db from behind, yet still have a fairly wide pattern in front. Shotgun mics have more gain and a narrower pattern out front, and more cut from the sides and back. Directional mics are typically used when you want to reject sounds other than your main subject. This can be to reduce noise from equipment or fans, or even from an echo. Very directional mics can also be more sensitive for picking up quieter sounds at a greater distance.
How Do You Make an Omni Directional Microphone into a Unidirectional Microphone?
Using a directional cover
One simple way to convert an omnidirectional microphone into a
unidirectional one is to use a directional cover or shield. This
cover can be made from materials like foam or plastic and is
designed to block sound waves coming from the sides and rear of
the microphone, effectively narrowing the pickup pattern to the
front.
Adding a cardioid pickup pattern
Some microphones have interchangeable pickup pattern capsules. If
your microphone supports this feature, you can switch out the
omnidirectional capsule with a cardioid capsule. Cardioid
microphones are unidirectional and are designed to pick up sound
primarily from the front while rejecting sound from the sides and
rear.
Modifying the internal components
This method is more complex and requires technical knowledge of
microphone electronics. By adjusting the internal components, such
as the arrangement of diaphragms and acoustic baffles, you can
alter the microphone's response to favor sound from a specific
direction.
Using external accessories
You can also achieve a unidirectional effect by using external
accessories like a shotgun microphone attachment or a parabolic
reflector. These accessories can help focus the microphone's
pickup pattern towards a specific sound source while reducing
background noise.
What Are the Trends and Development Directions of Omnidirectional Microphone in the Market
Emerging markets
There is untapped potential for podcasting microphones in emerging
markets where the podcasting industry is still evolving. As
internet accessibility and podcasting awareness grow in these
regions, there is a significant opportunity for market expansion.
Customization and personalization
Offering customizable microphone solutions tailored to specific
user needs and preferences presents a growth opportunity.
Manufacturers can develop modular or adaptable microphones that
allow users to customize their audio setups.
Wireless and bluetooth connectivity
A notable trend in the market is the increasing demand for
wireless and bluetooth-enabled microphones. Content creators value
the freedom of movement and flexibility that wireless options
provide.
Environmental sustainability
Eco-friendly and sustainable microphone manufacturing practices
are gaining traction. Manufacturers are increasingly focusing on
reducing their carbon footprint and using recyclable materials,
aligning with the broader sustainability trend.
Integration with ai and voice assistants
Some microphones now come equipped with ai features and voice
assistants, enhancing user experience. These smart microphones can
assist with tasks like voice recognition and transcription,
appealing to a tech-savvy audience.
Enhanced portability
Compact and portable microphones are on the rise, catering to
content creators who are always on the go. These microphones are
designed for convenience and ease of use, allowing users to record
high-quality audio anywhere.
Company Profile
Shenzhen Marquess Electronics Co., Ltd. was founded in July 2004, originating from the Japanese AOI Electric Motor Manufacturing Company as a joint venture specializing in the production of ECM (Electret Condenser Microphones).
Our Certificate
ISO 9001 2015,ISO 14001 2015,ISO 4500 12018,UL E473299,UL E473487
FAQ
Q: What is an omnidirectional microphone used for?
Q: What is the difference between omnidirectional and directional microphones?
Q: What are the advantages of using an omnidirectional microphone?
Perform well in various positions.
Handle wind, plosives, and vibration.
Are suitable for nature and stereo recordings.
Q: How does an omnidirectional microphone differ from a cardioid microphone?
Q: Why should I use an omnidirectional microphone?
Q: What is the effective range of an omnidirectional microphone?
Q: Are there any disadvantages to using omnidirectional microphones?
Q: Do omnidirectional microphones exhibit proximity effects?
Q: At what frequency sound is omnidirectional?
Q: Is human hearing omnidirectional?
Q: Do Omnidirectional Microphones require phantom power?
Q: What is the polar pattern of an Omnidirectional Microphone?
Q: Are Omnidirectional Microphones suitable for vocal recording in a studio setting?
Q: Can Omnidirectional Microphones be used for podcasting and broadcasting?
Q: Do Omnidirectional Microphones come with built-in filters to reduce background noise?
Q: What is the typical size and weight of an Omnidirectional Microphone?
Q: Can Omnidirectional Microphones be used for field recording?
Q: Are Omnidirectional Microphones more sensitive to handling noise compared to other microphone types?
Q: Do Omnidirectional Microphones require regular maintenance?
Q: What is the lifespan of an Omnidirectional Microphone with proper care?