What is a characteristics of a cardioid microphone?

A cardioid microphone is designed to primarily capture sound from a specific direction, which is typically directly in front of the microphone. This directional characteristic makes it particularly effective for isolating a single voice or sound source while minimizing the pickup of ambient noise or sounds from the sides and rear.

The heart-shaped polar pattern of a cardioid microphone denotes how it captures sound, allowing it to focus on the sound source that is aligned with its axis. This is particularly beneficial in situations where you want to emphasize one audio source, such as a vocalist or speaker, thereby reducing interference from other ambient sounds or voices.

This design contrasts with microphones that pick up sound from all angles, which can lead to unwanted noise and a less clear capture of the intended sound source. Therefore, the cardioid microphone's ability to mainly capture a single voice in front is a key feature that distinguishes it from other microphone types.