What does the term 'omnidirectional' refer to in the context of audio recording?

The term 'omnidirectional' in the context of audio recording refers to the capability of a microphone or audio recording device to capture sound equally from all directions. This means that whether the sound is coming from the front, behind, or the sides, the omnidirectional microphone will pick it up at a consistent quality and volume. This type of microphone is particularly useful in situations where sounds from multiple sources are present or where the speaker may move around, as it can effectively capture ambient sound and dialogue without directional limitations.

In contrast, directional microphones focus on audio from a specific source, which is not what the term 'omnidirectional' implies. The concept does not relate to capturing sound at a higher volume or specific frequencies, which are aspects of audio characteristics rather than directionality.