Subcardioid

Subcardioid is a term used to describe a microphone polar pattern that sits between cardioid and omnidirectional in the family of directional responses. It is characterized by a broader front sensitivity than a strict cardioid, combined with some degree of rear rejection. In practice, subcardioid provides more tolerance for off-axis sound than cardioid, resulting in a sound that is less focused and more natural in a room environment.

Compared with cardioid, the subcardioid pattern offers a wider acceptance angle and a less pronounced rear response. The front lobe is still the strongest, but the pattern tends to be less peaked, meaning it captures more of the surrounding ambience and distant sources. Because of its intermediate directionality, subcardioid can be described as between cardioid and omnidirectional in practice, with moderate isolation of the intended source and greater sensitivity to sounds from the sides and rear than a true cardioid.

Applications for subcardioid mics include situations where a balance between source isolation and natural room sound is desired. They are sometimes chosen for broadcast, studio, or live settings where excessive rear rejection or a very narrow pickup is not appropriate. The exact response of a subcardioid mic varies by design and frequency, and manufacturers may label similar patterns as wide cardioid or soft cardioid. When selecting a microphone, consult the manufacturer’s polar plots to understand how a subcardioid pattern will behave at different frequencies and off-axis angles.