logo
logo
  • Products
    • Studio Pro
    • Professional
    • Content Creation
    • Unified Communications
    • Accessories
  • Blog
  • Company
  • Support
  • Where to Buy
  • Search
  • Login / Register

← Back to blog

Understanding Microphone Proximity Effect

990
November 17, 20214 Minutes

Proximity effect has nothing to do with property taxes or social distancing. It’s the natural increase of low frequency reproduction that occurs when a sound source gets very close to a directional microphone. Think of your favorite broadcaster’s deep, rich “radio voice”. In this article we’ll go over what causes proximity effect, the types of microphones and polar patterns that are affected, and whether proximity effect is good or bad.

Why Proximity Effect Happens

            Microphones use capsules with very thin diaphragms that react to different sound pressure levels, then converts that acoustic energy into an electrical signal. When a microphone’s diaphragm picks up sound from both the front and the back, it’s directional. Proximity effect is the cause of varying pressure differences between the front and rear of a microphone’s diaphragm. However, not every microphone works like this. Omnidirectional microphones only pick up sound using the front of the diaphragm, while the rear is fixed and doesn’t move. This does not produce a proximity effect since the front and rear of the diaphragm don’t interact in the same way.

Condenser_Diagram

How Proximity Effect Works

Distance of the sound source from the microphone is the driving force behind proximity effect. The increased amplitude (“signal strength”) of low frequencies at close distances gets over-exaggerated because microphone capsules are designed to dampen higher frequencies to offer a flatter response.

 

 

Different Polar Patterns 

Figure-8 Polar Pattern

Bi-directional or Figure-8 microphones (typically ribbons) pick up equally from the front and back of the capsule. Since proximity effect is directly related to the variation in pressure between the front and rear or the diaphragm, and bi-directional mics use both sides equally, it is most clearly represented in this pickup pattern.

Hypercardioid Polar Pattern

The hypercardioid polar pattern mostly picks up from the front, but also picks up a good deal from the rear of the microphone. This variation of the cardioid pattern has the next most proximity effect compared to a bi-directional microphone, since the front and rear of the capsule interact together so much.

Supercardioid Polar PatternThe supercardioid polar pattern picks up sound from the front and only a small amount from the rear, so it will still produce a proximity effect, but less than hypercardioid.

Cardioid Polar PatternA regular cardioid polar pattern picks up from the front of the capsule but rejects sound from the rear. This pattern is still quite susceptible to the proximity effect, but less than all the previously mentioned pick up patterns.

 

How to Utilize Proximity Effect

You can strategically add more low end or “oomph” to a vocal by getting closer to the microphone. The same method could help beef up instruments with a lot of low frequency information, like a kick drum, bass cabinet or piano. Recordings with sparse arrangements could benefit from these methods to help fill out the mix.

On the other hand, if you’re dealing with recording many instruments and voices all in similar ranges, it’s best to avoid using the proximity effect to keep the low end more focused on actual sources of low frequencies, like the ones mentioned above. Reduce muddiness and get a more accurate and articulated capture by moving the microphone away from the sound source in small increments until you find the right balance of frequencies you’re after.

 

Written by: Dan Cohn

← Back to blog

QUICK LINKS

Product support

Where to buy

Contact

Blog

Privacy

Products

All products

Studio

Studio select

Content creation

Unified communications

Get the latest about mics & stuff

    Get the latest about mics & stuff

      Connect with us
      Quick links

      Product support

      Where to buy

      Contact

      Blog

      Privacy

      Products

      All products

      Studio

      Studio select

      Content creation

      Unified communications

      Connect with us
      Quick links

      Product support

      Where to buy

      Contact

      Blog

      Privacy

      Products

      All products

      Studio

      Studio select

      Content creation

      Unified communications

      Get the latest about mics & stuff

        Connect with us

        © 2023 MXL Microphones. All rights reserved

        By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device that will enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. View our Cookie Policy.
        Cookie SettingsAccept All
        Manage consent

        Privacy Overview

        This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
        Necessary
        Always Enabled
        Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
        CookieDurationDescription
        cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
        cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
        cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
        cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
        cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
        viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
        Functional
        Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
        Performance
        Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
        Analytics
        Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
        Advertisement
        Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
        Others
        Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
        SAVE & ACCEPT

        Privacy Preference Center

        Privacy Preferences