This article presents the practical implications of the directional beamforming capability of a higher-order ambisonic microphone compared with popular shotgun microphones. Five different microphones were used in the study: Sennheiser MKH 416, Rode NTG2, Panasonic AG-MC200, Zoom SGH-6, and Zylia ZM-1 (ambisonic microphone). The results highlight the versatility of higher-order ambisonics for non-immersive use, which allows for beamforming in any direction even in post-production, as opposed to typical shotgun recordings. Measurements indicate that shotgun microphones show directional characteristics with apparent frequency-dependent directivity. The Zylia microphone has 5 beamforming modes, among which the S1 and S2 modes exhibit directional characteristics similar to shotgun microphones.
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https://aes2.org/publications/elibrary-page/?id=22588
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