Velocity Operation

A capsule design in which the diaphragm is suspended in open air to detect the difference in relative air pressure on each side of the diaphragm. This design is most sensitive to sound waves arriving directly in front or from behind (the latter with opposite polarity). If the sound source moves above or below the diaphragm the difference in air pressure on each side reduces so the capsule becomes progressively less sensitive, giving a figure-8 polar pattern. The diaphragm mounting is designed to be very compliant at low frequencies to maximise the sensitivity to very small pressure differences. This creates a very strong proximity effect.