# directional microphone
**Wikidata**: [Q20820470](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q20820470)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Directional_microphone)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/directional-microphone

## Summary
A directional microphone is a type of microphone that captures sound primarily from a specific direction while rejecting sound from other directions. This makes it ideal for isolating a desired audio source in noisy environments. It is a subclass of microphones used widely in broadcasting, recording, and live sound applications.

## Key Facts
- Subclass of: microphone
- Also known as: unidirectional microphone
- Common types include cardioid, supercardioid, and shotgun microphones
- Used in applications such as studio recording, film production, and live performances
- Structured properties include GND ID: 4178100-4 and IEV Number: 801-26-06
- Has Wikipedia articles in German (de) and English (en)
- Google Knowledge Graph ID: /g/12208tky
- Sitelink count: 2 (limited cross-linking on Wikimedia projects)

## FAQs
### Q: What is a directional microphone used for?
A: A directional microphone is used to capture sound from a specific direction while minimizing background noise. It is commonly used in broadcasting, filmmaking, and live sound reinforcement to isolate voices or instruments.

### Q: How does a directional microphone work?
A: A directional microphone works by using acoustic principles to make the diaphragm more sensitive to sound waves coming from one direction. This is typically achieved through the design of the microphone's housing and internal components, which delay or cancel sounds arriving from the sides or rear.

### Q: What are the different types of directional microphones?
A: The main types include cardioid, supercardioid, and hypercardioid microphones, each with varying degrees of directionality and side/rear rejection. Shotgun microphones are another highly directional variant, often used in film and television production.

## Why It Matters
Directional microphones play a critical role in professional audio capture by allowing users to isolate desired sounds in acoustically challenging environments. They enable broadcasters to reduce ambient noise, help filmmakers capture clear dialogue on set, and allow musicians to record individual instruments without bleed from surrounding sources. Their development significantly improved the clarity and usability of audio recordings across media industries. By focusing sensitivity in one direction, they also support better gain-before-feedback in live sound applications, making them indispensable tools in both studio and field settings.

## Notable For
- Superior off-axis sound rejection compared to omnidirectional microphones
- Essential tool in broadcast journalism and film production for capturing targeted audio
- Variety of polar patterns including cardioid, supercardioid, and shotgun configurations
- Enables cleaner recordings in noisy environments due to focused pickup pattern
- Widely adopted in professional audio equipment for enhanced signal-to-noise ratio

## Body

### Definition and Classification
A directional microphone is defined as a microphone whose response varies with the angle of incidence of sound. It belongs to the broader class of microphones and is categorized based on its polar pattern—most commonly cardioid or variations thereof.

### Technical Characteristics
Directional microphones operate on the principle of pressure gradient, meaning they respond to the difference in sound pressure between the front and back of the diaphragm. This mechanism allows them to reject sounds from certain angles effectively.

Common types include:
- **Cardioid**: Most sensitive at 0°, least at 180°
- **Supercardioid**: More directional than cardioid, with some rear lobe sensitivity
- **Hypercardioid**: Even narrower pickup area, increased rear sensitivity
- **Shotgun**: Highly directional, often used in film and TV

### Applications
These microphones are widely used in:
- Broadcast studios for voiceovers and interviews
- Film sets for boom microphone operation
- Live stage performances to prevent feedback
- Studio recording for instrument isolation

### Standards and Identifiers
The International Electrotechnical Vocabulary (IEV) assigns the number **801-26-06** to directional microphones. The Integrated Authority File (GND) uses identifier **4178100-4**, indicating standardized cataloging in library and research contexts.