Directional Microphones

With the possible exception of sophisticated shotgun microphones or microphone arrays, effective directional microphones usually employ parabolic reflectors or horns. Parabolic reflectors about the size of a modern satellite receiver antenna, perhaps 2 feet across, perform quite well but are a bit obtrusive. These are commonly seen on the sidelines at football games. But it turns out that simple horns or cones work very well as directional sound collectors, are easier to handle, and don't look like microphones. They do look a bit like megaphones, witches' hats, or traffic cones, all of which might make great microphones! In fact, a pair of cheerleader megaphones might make a great two-way communications system. To convince yourself of the effectiveness of such a simple sound collector, throw together a cone like the one to the left, shown next to an ordinary spray paint can for size reference. The cone is constructed from 22” by 28” poster board wrapped to form a skinny cone about 25” long and 7” diameter. The small end is only about 1/2” diameter. The paper is held in position with some quick-setting spray adhesive and the extra paper is cut off the large end to square up the opening.

Simply hold the small end up to your ear and point the cone at a sound source. Move the cone back and forth to observe the excellent directivity. The thin paper lets sound in through the sides but the enhanced hearing provided by the simple cone is significant.

An electret microphone may be mounted in the small end of the cone and the whole cone can be slipped into a long cardboard box to act as a disguise and to help block sound from the sides and rear:

That doesn't look much like a microphone! A simple battery-powered FM transmitter or baby monitor makes the microphone wireless.