szuperkardioid

Szuperkardioid is the Polish term for the supercardioid microphone polar pattern. It describes a directional response that concentrates sensitivity in front of the microphone while rejecting much of the noise from the sides and rear, but it still exhibits a small rear pickup.

The polar pattern is narrower than a cardioid and includes a rear lobe of sensitivity at roughly 110–125 degrees from the forward axis. Because the rear sensitivity is not zero, sound from behind can be captured, especially off-axis high frequencies. The exact shape varies with frequency and microphone design.

Implementation typically relies on a pressure-gradient design with porting that creates the rear lobe. In practice, many handheld vocal mics marketed as supercardioid use this pattern, offering greater on-axis gain and improved feedback rejection in loud environments compared with cardioid designs.

Advantages include improved isolation from side noise and stage monitors and better feedback rejection. Limitations include the rear lobe’s tendency to pick up sound from behind, requiring careful placement; the off-axis response can vary with position and frequency, making consistent performance important; and the pattern can be more susceptible to wind and handling noise.

Applications are common in live sound reinforcement, stage performances, and broadcasting settings where vocal isolation is beneficial. For studio recording, other patterns such as cardioid or hypercardioid may be chosen depending on the desired balance of isolation and ambient capture.