Most microphones are designed to focus on whatever is directly in front of them. Sometimes that’s exactly what you want.
But what happens when you’re recording several people around a table, capturing the natural sound of a room, recording an ensemble, or attaching a tiny microphone to someone who moves constantly?
That’s where an omnidirectional microphone can be useful.
An omnidirectional microphone captures sound from every direction around the microphone. Instead of forcing everyone to remain directly in front of the capsule, it can pick up sound arriving from the front, back, and sides.
This makes omni microphones particularly useful for conferences, interviews, group recordings, lavalier systems, room ambience, acoustic music, and certain studio techniques.
For professional studio recording, the Shure KSM44A is my favorite overall option because you can switch between omnidirectional, cardioid, and bidirectional patterns. The Audio-Technica AT4050 is another excellent studio choice, while the RØDE NT2-A provides similar multi-pattern flexibility at a more accessible level.
What is the Best Omnidirectional Microphones?
Here are eight of the best omnidirectional microphones to consider.
1. Shure KSM44A – Best Omnidirectional Microphone Overall
The Shure KSM44A is an excellent choice when you want high-quality omnidirectional recording without being limited to omni all the time. It’s a multi-pattern large-diaphragm condenser microphone. You can select cardioid, omnidirectional, or bidirectional operation.
That’s important because omnidirectional isn’t appropriate for every recording. Maybe you’re recording several singers today and want to capture them from different directions. Use omni.
Tomorrow you’re recording one vocalist in the same studio. Switch to cardioid.
The KSM44A has a 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency response and extremely low self-noise. Shure specifies self-noise of 6 dB SPL-A when the microphone is operating in omnidirectional mode.
The microphone also includes a switchable 15 dB pad and three-position low-frequency filter. Those controls make it much more versatile than a simple fixed-pattern microphone.
Shure specifically recommends its omnidirectional mode for capturing room ambience and several sound sources simultaneously, such as ensembles or multiple singers.
2. Audio-Technica AT4050 – Best Professional Studio Alternative
The Audio-Technica AT4050 is another excellent multi-pattern condenser. Like the KSM44A, it gives you three patterns: cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-eight.
That makes the AT4050 a much better investment for many home and professional studios than buying a microphone that can only operate in omni.
The AT4050 uses a dual-diaphragm capsule designed to maintain accurate polar-pattern characteristics across its frequency range.
Audio-Technica specifies a frequency response of 20 Hz to 18 kHz. It also includes an 80 Hz high-pass filter.
This can be useful when you’re dealing with low-frequency rumble from air conditioning, traffic, footsteps, or vibrations. There’s also a 10 dB pad. With the pad engaged, Audio-Technica rates the microphone for maximum input levels reaching 159 dB SPL. That makes it useful for far more than quiet acoustic recordings.
3. RØDE NT2-A – Best Value Omnidirectional Studio Mic
The RØDE NT2-A provides many of the same basic capabilities as more expensive multi-pattern studio microphones. You can switch between cardioid, omnidirectional, and figure-eight patterns.
The microphone uses a 1-inch condenser capsule and covers the full 20 Hz to 20 kHz range. RØDE also gives you selectable high-pass filters.
You can leave the response flat or engage a 40 Hz or 80 Hz filter. There are also 0, -5, and -10 dB pad settings. That makes the NT2-A surprisingly versatile.
You could use omni for recording several musicians in a good room, cardioid for a solo vocalist, and figure-eight for more specialized recording techniques.
Its self-noise is rated at 7 dBA, which is low enough for many detailed studio recordings. The NT2-A also comes with useful accessories, including a shock mount and XLR cable.
For someone building a home studio and wanting to experiment with omnidirectional recording without buying a highly specialized microphone, the NT2-A makes a lot of sense.
Final Thoughts
For professional studio recording, I’d choose the Shure KSM44A.
For another professional multi-pattern option, the Audio-Technica AT4050 is excellent. It provides omni, cardioid, and figure-eight patterns along with a high-pass filter and pad.
For home studios and people who want good value, choose the RØDE NT2-A. Its three selectable patterns, 20 Hz to 20 kHz response, high-pass filters, and pad controls give you plenty of room to experiment.
For interviews and video, look for a good omnidirectional lavalier or wireless microphone.
And for meetings, an omnidirectional USB conference microphone may be more convenient than traditional studio equipment.