What is your preferred polar pattern for vocals?

#1 10-11-2020, 12:26 PM

Cardoid? Omni?

H165 · #2 10-11-2020, 01:05 PM

For field recordings I prefer directional. For rooms I prefer cardioid. For stage I prefer super-cardioid.

KevWind · #3 10-12-2020, 07:47 AM

Personally and since I only record myself , I use Cardioid for vocals, I like intimate, present, and up close and personal.
I would only use Omni if the vocals were intentionally to be pushed back into a larger mix as a secondary feature, to augment the music as the primary focus (something like say a New Age ambient piece)

ljguitar · #4 10-12-2020, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Doug

Cardoid? Omni?

Hi J-D

Yes.

For solo singers, cardioid.

I've had some really fun sessions with small acoustic ensembles (think Bluegrass group), I've had them stand/sit in a circle and placed an omni in the center of the group from overhead (and that produced a mono output).

I did once do a modified mid-side array with a pair of figure 8 mics with only one set to figure 8.

#5 10-12-2020, 09:22 AM

Thanks guys.

ljguitar · #6 10-12-2020, 02:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by J-Doug

Thanks guys.

Hi JD

I was hoping more would weigh in.

By far the most recordings I've done were mics set to cardioid pattern. I rarely used super/hyper cardioid because then the player cannot move much. And some players move while they play.

Rudy4 · #7 10-12-2020, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ljguitar

Hi JD

I was hoping more would weigh in.

By far the most recordings I've done were mics set to cardioid pattern. I rarely used super/hyper cardioid because then the player cannot move much. And some players move while they play.

I've often heard it said that a good portion of what is produced by a vocalist originates from the upper chest / sternum. If that's true then I'd think that would be another reason not to use a hypercardiod mic for an intimate vocal recording.