What type of microphone polar pattern picks up sound primarily from the front?

The choice of a cardioid microphone polar pattern is significant as it is specifically designed to pick up sound predominantly from the front while minimizing sound from the sides and rear. This characteristic makes it particularly effective for live sound and recording applications where isolation of the main source of sound is important, such as when capturing vocals or a particular instrument.

The cardioid pattern resembles a heart shape, indicating its sensitivity to sound coming from the front. This design helps reduce feedback and background noise, making it ideal in environments with multiple sound sources. Such capabilities are essential in professional audio settings, where clarity and focus on the intended audio source are crucial.

In contrast, other polar patterns, such as omnidirectional, capture sound equally from all directions, making them less suitable for situations requiring directionality. The figure-eight pattern picks up sound from both the front and rear, while a supercardioid pattern offers more rear sensitivity than cardioid but still emphasizes the front. However, the cardioid pattern's optimized front-facing pickup makes it the most effective choice for capturing audio predominantly from one direction.