nondirectional microphone

electronic device

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Last updated

July 1, 2026

Quick Summary

A nondirectional microphone is an electronic device that converts acoustic power into electric power, with sound waves being picked up more or less uniformly from all directions. This is also referred to as an omnidirectional microphone.12

The microphone's diaphragm moves in response to sound waves, and this motion alters an electrical property within a circuit. Depending on the microphone's design, this could be a change in resistance, capacitance, or the movement of a coil in a magnetic field. The term "nondirectional" means it is not directional or is equally effective in all directions.13

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electromechanical transducer
Linearity and directivity
…directions are referred to as omnidirectional. A common directional microphone is the cardioid microphone, so called because, when the intensity response as a function of angle is plotted on a polar graph, the curve is heart-shaped. A cardioid microphone is useful for recording live performances, where it is desirable to…
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…directions are referred to as omnidirectional. A common directional microphone is the cardioid microphone, so called because, when the intensity response as a function of angle is plotted on a polar graph, the curve is heart-shaped. A cardioid microphone is useful for recording live performances, where it is desirable to…
Read More