ANSI/ASA S1.18

ANSI/ASA S1.18 is a standardized system that classifies microphones based on how they respond to sound. It assigns specific codes and symbols to describe their directional sensitivity—whether they pick up sound equally from all directions (omnidirectional), mainly from the front (cardioid), or from other angles. This helps professionals select the right microphone for different environments, ensuring consistent and reliable audio capture. The standard promotes clear communication and understanding among engineers and sound technicians by providing a common language to describe microphone characteristics.