Recording Multi-pattern Condenser Microphones

There are plenty of polar patterns out there to choose from when buying a microphone, from cardioid and all its variants to omnidirectional and figure-8. But since every recording situation is different and they don't all call for the same pattern, maybe the best way to go is not to make a choice at all - at least, not up-front. With one of these recording multi-pattern condenser microphones in your studio or portable recording setup, you'll have the luxury of setting the ideal polar pattern for each recording without having to swap out the whole mic to do so. Not only does that make things faster and easier; it also simplifies your hardware layout since you won't need as many microphones in the first place.

With that said, there are still some decisions to be made so that you can find the perfect multi-pattern condenser mic for your needs. For example, are you looking for a standard mono microphone, or would you prefer to double up your channels with a stereo model? Top-of-the-line mics like the Manley Gold Reference Stereo Microphone set the gold standard (literally!) for this style. How about another tube-powered mic, but wrapped in a more traditional and affordable mono package? The Lewitt Audio Microphones LCT 840 Tube Condenser Microphone would be a good example. Or, if you're looking for a super-practical option, how about something like the CAD GXL3000BP Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone?

No matter what your recording needs are, you can probably satisfy them in this lineup of recording multi-pattern condenser microphones - and you'll likely only need a single mic to do it. That's the beauty of selectable polar patterns: it's like having multiple microphones in one, so whatever kind of behavior you need for a given recording, you can have that on tap from a single workhorse mic. And since they come in at every budget and experience level from beginner-oriented to state-of-the-art, it's safe to say there's a multi-pattern mic here for everybody.