What type of microphone is designed to pick up sound predominantly from one direction?

A microphone designed to pick up sound predominantly from one direction is known as a unidirectional microphone. This type of microphone is specifically engineered to capture audio from a single source while minimizing noise from other directions. By utilizing a focused pickup pattern, it effectively isolates the desired sound, making it ideal for situations like interviews, live performances, or when recording specific instruments.

The unidirectional pattern allows the microphone to focus on the sound directly in front of it while reducing ambient noise and feedback from the sides or rear, enhancing the clarity and quality of the recording. This is particularly useful in environments where there are competing sounds or when the intention is to capture a single sound source efficiently.