Related Words

Cardioid Microphone: A unidirectional microphone with most of its sensitivity aimed toward the front, and a pickup pattern that resembles an inverted heart.

Overhead Boom Microphone: Held on a long arm by a boom operator, positioned above the actors' heads and out of view of the camera, it is equipped with a hypercardioid microphone so that sound from the direction it is . . . View Full Definition

Microphone (Mike): Device used to record sound. The pickup pattern of a microphone may be omnidirectional or cardioid. See also lavaliere microphone and hypercardioid microphone.

Hypercardioid Microphone: A highly unidirectional microphone, for which the pickup pattern is narrower than that of a cardioid microphone. So-called 'shotgun' microphones have a hypercardioid pattern.

Hypercardioid: A narrower heart-shaped pick-up pattern than that of cardioid microphones.

Unidirectional Microphone: A microphone that picks up sound from a specific direction.

Condenser Microphone: A mike that depends on an external power supply or internal battery to electrostatically charge capacitor plates, one of which is subjected to sonic motion. Also called a 'Capacitor' microphone.

Omnidirectional Microphone: A microphone that is able to pick up sound equally from all directions.

Cardioid: Heart shaped pickup pattern characteristic of some microphones which reduces sensitivity to sounds from the sides and back.

Lavaliere Microphone: A small microphone often clipped to a performer's tie or shirt.