Supercardioid Vs Hypercardioid: Key Differences Explained

Supercardioid and hypercardioid are two important polar patterns in directional microphones. Both are quite beneficial and have their unique applications.

When it comes to audio recording, it is crucial to make the right choice in directional microphones. Knowing whether to go for a mic with a supercardioid polar pattern or one with a hypercardioid pickup pattern is substantial. That particular selection can make a monumental difference in the audio quality.

But which polar pattern should you choose, and when?

Let’s help you with this concern today. I’ll be delving into the two different microphone polar patterns today: supercardioid and hypercardioid pickup modes.

C’mon then, let the comparison begin!

Feature	Supercardioid	Hypercardioid
Pickup Pattern	Narrow	Super-narrow
Off-axis Sound Rejection	Very good	Excellent
Movement Flexibility	Yes	No
Sound Isolation	Excellent	Remarkable
Precision in Audio Quality	Slightly less	Brilliant

Similarities Among Supercardioid and Hypercardioid Microphones

Previously I talked about cardioid and supercardioid polar patterns. It is good to delve into hypercardioid microphones once you know what a cardioid polar pattern is. So I suggest you peruse through this read and brush up on the basics. 🙂

If you already know what a cardioid pattern is, great! Now, both supercardioid and hypercardioid microphones are variants of cardioid mics. They are basically the super-charged versions of a cardioid microphone.

The two polar patterns share the following similarities.

Directional Polar Patterns

Both the super cardioid pickup pattern and hypercardioid mode are directional pickup patterns. That means that microphones with a supercardioid or hypercardioid microphone polar pattern are directional mics. They focus on picking up the sound from the front primarily. At the same time, they minimize the sensitivity to the rear and sides.

That’s what makes them different from the omnidirectional microphones. 

An omnidirectional microphone microphone picks up sound quite evenly from all the different directions. Their focus is not on the intended sound source. This is why a directional mic is preferred over an omnidirectional mic in scenarios where the focus must be on precise sound isolation.

Off-Axis Rejection

Moreover, both the hypercardioid and super cardioid mics offer off-axis sound rejection. They reject sound coming from off-axis which reduces interference from the ambient noise. As a result, you get focused and clear audio recordings.

Sound Isolation

Sound isolation is one of the most notable capabilities of the super cardioid and hypercardioid polar patterns. They isolate the intended sound source and reject sound from elsewhere which adds precision to the audio capture.

Professional-Grade Audio Quality

You will always get excellent audio quality from both a supercardioid and a hypercardioid mic. They are designed to deliver premium-quality and pristine audio recordings. That’s exactly why they are a trusted choice of content creators, broadcasters, vocalists, and audio engineers.

Commonly Used in Broadcasting

Another similarity that the super cardioid and hypercardioid patterns share is that the two are commonly used in broadcasting. 

Be it television broadcasting or radio broadcasting, microphones with these two polar patterns are often employed. That’s basically because of their excellent sound isolation capability which focuses on the desired audio source and minimizes unwanted background noise.

Got some hang of the two microphone polar patterns? Good! Let’s move on to the differences then.

Differences Between the Hypercardioid and Super Cardioid Pattern

So how are the two cardioid microphones under discussion today different from each other? What actually sets them apart?

Let’s delve into the differences between the two polar patterns: supercardioid and hypercardioid.

Pickup Pattern of the Hypercardioid Vs Super Cardioid Microphone

One of the basic differences between the hypercardioid and supercardioid mics is their pickup pattern.

Supercardioid mics have a directional polar pattern which is narrower than the cardioid pattern. Basically, a supercardioid is an advanced version of a cardioid mic. Due to this focused polar pattern, it has great sound sensitivity. With that, it also minimizes sound capture from the rear and sides.

Now the hypercardioid microphones go even a notch further than the super cardioid microphones. You can perceive them as the supercardioid mics on a dose of steroids. 

Their pickup pattern is even narrower and way more focused than the supercardioid microphones. That’s why the hypercardioid microphones provide heightened sensitivity at the front. This is something that content creators miss in omnidirectional mics.

Off-Axis Sound Rejection of the Hypercardioid Vs Supercardioid Patterns

Supercardioids are skilled at minimizing the ambient noise. That explains why they are trusted when it comes to isolating the sound. These mics have a nice balance between slight tolerance for movement and directionality.

Since the hypercardioid mic is the big daddy of a supercardioid mic, its off-axis sound rejection capability is even better too. When it comes to the off-axis sound, hypercardioid microphones go all aggressive. They ensure to minimize all the background noise including wind noise very effectively.

While both the supercardioid and hypercardioid microphones are brilliant at off-axis sound rejection, the latter wins the prize in this area. 

Sound Isolation of the Hypercardioid Vs Super Cardioid Mics

Honestly, both the supercardioid and hypercardioid microphones are amazing at sound isolation. But yeah, there is a slight difference too.

Super cardioid microphones do a pretty decent job at isolating the desired sound source. They focus well on the primary sound source while blocking out the unnecessary noise from the back and the other sides.

But, the hypercardioids take sound isolation to a whole new level. They precisely focus on the main sound source, and pick up sound only from it. Well, yeah that’s why they are the go-to choice in recording scenarios where maximum sound isolation is paramount.

Precision Vs Flexibility of the Hypercardioid and Super Cardioid Microphones

When it comes to the precision and flexibility of the hypercardioid and super cardioid mics, the two are certainly different.

A supercardioid microphone strikes a decent balance between some flexibility for movement and directionality. It has slight allowance for movement which is why it offers versatility in different recording scenarios.

The hypercardioid mics, on the other hand, prioritize unparalleled precision over flexibility. They are incredibly remarkable in isolating the intended sound source. You can even hear the slightest of sounds in the audio recording.

So when it comes to precision in the audio quality, the hypercardioids are the surefire winner. However, in terms of flexibility, the supercardioids get a brownie point.

Best Applications of the Hypercardioid and Supercardioid Microphones

Hypercardioid and supercardioid mics are absolutely brilliant in terms of audio quality, sound isolation and narrow pickup pattern.

Even then, they have certain differences which make them unique for different recording and vocal applications.

Here are the best applications of the supercardioid and hypercardioid mics.

Best Applications of the Supercardioid Mics

The supercardioids are loved in live performances and recording studios. There are best applications include:

• Recording studios: When it comes to capturing instruments or vocals in a recording studio, supercardioid mics are exceptional. That’s primarily due to their directional ability to isolate the main sound source. Also, they work really well in both professional and home studios.
• Broadcasting: Supercardioid are quite valuable in broadcasting settings. They minimize th unnecessary background noise really well. Plus, they have a focused polar pattern which makes them capture the broadcaster’s voice with utmost precision. At the same time, they allow some flexibility in capturing the nuances of a broadcaster’s movement. As a result, the sound quality remains good.
• Live Performances: Live performances become even better with the supercardioid mics. They are great at isolating the vocalist’s voice, or a specific instrument’s sound (such as that of an acoustic guitar) in events and concerts. Plus, their narrow pickup pattern allows them to reduce interference from the surrounding sound sources.

If you are a content creator who has to do live performances and work in recording studios, supercardioid mics will be a great choice for you.

Best Applications of the Hypercardioid Mics

Boasting a very tight pickup pattern, the hypercardioid mics are excellent for different kinds of recording scenarios. Their best applications include the following:

• Field Recording: Hypercardioid mics are really useful for fieldwork and outdoor recording. Their off-axis sound rejection is impeccable. So they are quite a helping hand in capturing specific and diverse sounds in difficult environments where it is tough to minimize the unwanted sounds.
• Stage and Theater: The hypercardioids certainly shine in stage and theatrical performances. They focus brilliantly on the specific on-stage sounds or the actors’ voices. As a result, they have accurate and extremely clean audio reproduction.
• Film Production: You will often find hypercardioid mics employed in video and film production, particularly for boom mics. Their incredible directionality is quite an advantage in picking up dialogue, and simultaneously minimizing the unwanted noise from the film set. That is also what sets them apart from the omnidirectional microphones.

Both the hypercardioid and supercardioid mics are outstanding. They are the go-to choices of broadcasters, vocalists and content creators for live performances and studio recordings. And their unique differences are  what makes them most-appropriate for specific applications.

Supercardioid Vs Hypercardioid: Which Mic Should You Go For?

The choice between a hypercardioid and supercardioid mic depends entirely on your recording requirements. Plus, it also depends on the kind of environment you’ll be using your mic in.

If you want great off-axis rejection, but to capture some sound from all sides, you should go for a supercardioid mic.

On the contrary, if you don’t want your mic to pick any ambient sound at all, opt for a hypercardioid variant of the cardioid pattern.

When working in controlled environments such as theaters or studios, hypercardioid are preferred over supercardioids. But if you want excellent directionality with some flexibility in the sound capture, pick a supercardioid mic.

Ultimately, it all depends on what you want to record and where you want to do it. So take a good stock of your recording needs, and then make a choice. Good luck!

Frequently Asked Questions