Term: Cardioid 

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A common “heart-shaped” microphone polar pattern where the microphone is most sensitive to audio in front of the mic and least sensitive to sounds directly behind the mic. Patterns with more focused directionality include the supercardioid and hypercardiod variations. Directional microphones provide the rejection of unwanted sounds, such as stage monitors. Since cardioid microphones rely on pressure gradients, they are prone to the proximity effect, or exaggerated bass response, from close-miked sources.