What is a major drawback of using omnidirectional microphones?

The primary drawback of using omnidirectional microphones lies in their tendency to pick up unwanted ambient noise. Unlike directional microphones, which are designed to focus on sound from a specific direction, omnidirectional microphones capture sound from all directions equally. This quality makes them susceptible to background noise, which can interfere with the clarity and quality of the primary audio being recorded.

In environments where there are several sounds occurring simultaneously, such as conversations in a busy room or external noises from traffic, an omnidirectional microphone may amplify these distractions, making it difficult to isolate the desired audio signal. While they excel at capturing a natural sound field in controlled environments, their indiscriminate nature can be a significant limitation in louder settings or when clarity and focus are vital for the recording.