How does an omnidirectional pickup pattern capture sound?

An omnidirectional pickup pattern captures sound from all directions equally, making it an ideal choice for various recording situations. This characteristic allows the microphone to pick up sound waves regardless of their source's location relative to the mic, which is particularly useful in settings where multiple sound sources are present or for capturing ambient sounds in a space.

In contrast, a directional pickup pattern would only focus on sound coming from a specific direction, such as the front. This limits the variety of audio that can be recorded and may not be suitable for all applications. Similarly, options that suggest capturing sound only from the back or from a distance do not accurately represent the functionality of an omnidirectional microphone, which is designed for a broader range of sound capture.