directional microphone: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “directional microphone” mean?
A microphone designed to pick up sound primarily from one specific direction while reducing noise from other directions.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A microphone designed to pick up sound primarily from one specific direction while reducing noise from other directions.
A transducer that converts acoustic energy into electrical signals with a focused sensitivity pattern, commonly used in broadcasting, film, surveillance, and public address systems to isolate desired audio sources.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical differences; both varieties use the same term. Minor spelling variations may appear in related documentation (e.g., 'behavioural' vs. 'behavioral' in technical descriptions).
Connotations
Neutral technical term in both regions. In UK contexts, sometimes associated more with broadcast engineering; in US, also common in law enforcement and consumer electronics marketing.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in American English due to larger entertainment and surveillance industries, but common in both varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “directional microphone” in a Sentence
use a directional microphone forequip with a directional microphonepoint the directional microphone atrecord using a directional microphoneVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “directional microphone” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- We need to directionalise the microphone array for the outdoor concert.
- The engineer directionalled the mic towards the speaker.
American English
- They directionalized the microphone setup to reduce crowd noise.
- She directionalled the mic at the interviewee.
adverb
British English
- The microphone was placed directionally to capture the violin solo.
- He aimed the device directionally towards the stage.
American English
- The mic was positioned directionally to isolate the presenter's voice.
- She pointed the recorder directionally at the bird's nest.
adjective
British English
- The directional microphone pickup pattern proved essential in the noisy pub.
- Their directional microphone technology is patented.
American English
- The directional mic performance was critical during the football game.
- This directional microphone system filters background sounds effectively.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in conference systems and corporate presentations to reduce ambient noise.
Academic
Employed in phonetics research, field recordings, and acoustic studies.
Everyday
Referenced when discussing podcasting, home recording, or video camera accessories.
Technical
Essential in audio engineering, film production, surveillance, and live sound reinforcement.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “directional microphone”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “directional microphone”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “directional microphone”
- Using 'direct microphone' instead of 'directional microphone'.
- Confusing 'directional' with 'dynamic' (a different microphone type).
- Misspelling as 'direction microphone'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
A directional microphone picks up sound mainly from one direction, while an omnidirectional microphone captures sound equally from all directions.
It is not ideal; an omnidirectional or multiple microphones would be better, as a directional mic would miss participants outside its pickup pattern.
Some lavalier mics are omnidirectional, but directional (cardioid) lavaliers exist to reduce background noise.
They help isolate the desired sound source (like a person speaking) from wind, traffic, and other environmental noises.
A microphone designed to pick up sound primarily from one specific direction while reducing noise from other directions.
Directional microphone is usually technical/formal in register.
Directional microphone: in British English it is pronounced /daɪˈrɛkʃənəl ˈmaɪkrəfəʊn/, and in American English it is pronounced /dəˈrɛkʃənəl ˈmaɪkrəfoʊn/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “on a tight mic”
- “in the line of fire (audio)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a torch beam: a directional microphone 'shines' its sensitivity in one direction, ignoring sounds from the sides and rear.
Conceptual Metaphor
AUDIO IS LIGHT; DIRECTIONALITY IS FOCUS.
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is NOT a typical characteristic of a directional microphone?