A directional microphone with an acceptance angle that is most sensitive to sounds coming from the front and sides, while rejecting sounds coming from the rear. Called cardioid because the polar pattern of the microphone is roughly heart-shaped. All directional mics have a proximity effect, whereby sound sources close to the mic will have an exaggerated low-frequency response. Supercardioids and hypercardioids are cardioids, but with a trade-off in the rear lobe. When using supercardioids and hypercardioids as sound reinforcement mics, it is important to note that the maximum rejection is not directly behind the mic as it is with a cardioid, but is off to the side between 110¢ª-126¢ª. However, a pair of hypercardioid microphones used as a stereo X-Y pair yields a very clean cardioid response pattern. See pressure gradient.