The beamforming ECM-B1M and ECM-B10 shotgun microphones can be used in various recording situations, being capable of picking up sound via three different directivity patterns. This is achieved through beamforming, where the digital signal processor of the microphones allows for enhanced sensitivity in your desired recording direction. With a simple flick of a switch on the control panel, you can change the directivity pattern of your microphones even while you're recording to pick up sound from all around you to right in front of you. Let’s have a closer look at the three directivity patterns and the various situations where you can use them. 

Super-directional

The mushroom-shaped icon on the directivity pattern switch stands for the super-directional polar pattern, which picks up sound from the front of your camera only. This directive pattern is ideal for vlogs and interviews as you would want your voice or your subject’s voice to be heard more clearly than whatever is going on around you. Be careful when recording in this mode, as your voice will be muffled if you’re speaking from behind the camera. 

The ECM-B1M and ECM-B10 also feature a noise-reduction feature that helps suppress ambient noise so that your voice or your subject’s voice can be heard more clearly. The Noise Cut filter estimates – continuously – over a wider frequency band, to remove unwanted noise. 

Unidirectional

The peach-shaped icon stands for the unidirectional polar pattern, which picks up sound from the front and on both sides of your camera. Like the super-directional polar pattern, unidirectional directivity is less sensitive to noise from the rear, so your voice will be muffled when speaking from behind the camera. This directive pattern is ideal for recording at a live show, where you can pick up the leading act’s vocals from the front and audio coming from the side speakers.  

Omnidirectional

Lastly, the circle icon on the directivity pattern switch indicates that your microphone is in its “default mode”. The omnidirectional polar pattern has the same 360-degree coverage, picking up surrounding sound equally from all directions. As such, you won’t be able to keep a single voice or sound source in focus. This mode is ideal for recording at an event as it picks up more sound from around you. 

Now that you have familiarised yourself with the three switchable directivity patterns on the ECM-B1M and ECM-B10, simply clip the microphone into your Alpha camera’s Multi Interface Shoe for direct power and instant audio connection! With eight high-performance microphone capsules and a dedicated digital signal processor that transfers digital audio signals directly to your camera so that no degradation can occur, you’ll find your videos enhanced with clearer audio than ever before.