3-D Polar Paterns?

[Robertt8]

Seeing as how we don't actually live in a 2 dimensional world, wouldn't it make sense to see 3 dimensional polar patterns on mics? (not to mention they'd look pretty cool).

 

[crazydoc]

I guess my assumption has always been that you rotate the 2D pattern (in your mind) 360 degrees about the capsule axis, the assumption being that it is symmetrical. Of course, you'd have to make allowances for the mic body and parts of the grille blocking it.

How would you display this? Not a problem on a computer monitor using motion, but sort of hard on a spec sheet.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Seeing as how we don't actually live in a 2 dimensional world, wouldn't it make sense to see 3 dimensional polar patterns on mics? (not to mention they'd look pretty cool).

Not too hard to visualize:

A figure 8 pattern would look like two balloons pointing in opposite directions.
An omni pattern would like like the mic is centered inside the balloon.
A cardioid pattern would look like you're trying to shove the mic partway into the balloon.

The further the balloon's surface is from the mic (visually), the greater the mic's sensitivity in that direction.

The problem is that at different frequencies, the balloon takes on different shapes, some of them very unballoonlike, and some are downright ugly.

 

[Robertt8]

This would be real sweat to do something like this...

http://www.houseof3d.com/pete/applets/wireframe/globe.html

but I think you could still get general ideas with just the 3D-wireframe.