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Collaboration, Voice & AV · Intermediate

Proximity Effect

The increase in low-frequency response that occurs when a directional microphone is very close to the sound source.

Definition

Directional microphones (cardioid and figure-8) exhibit bass boost at close range, which can make voices sound boomy or muddy. Omnidirectional microphones do not exhibit proximity effect. Many microphones include low-cut filters, and DSP high-pass filters can compensate.

Example

A presenter speaking with lips touching a cardioid mic sounds boomy until a high-pass filter is applied.

Exam tip

Omni microphones have no proximity effect; directional mics do.

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