Proximity Effect
The proximity effect causes the bass level to rise in pressure-gradient transducers when the sound source is close to the microphone. This is due to level differences between the front and back of the membrane, which increase greatly with close placement.
This effect becomes more pronounced the greater the pressure gradient component of the microphone. This means it is least noticeable with wide cardioids and most prominent with a figure-8 pattern.
The bass boost can be compensated for with an EQ (bass cut). In the specialized microphone types of the SCHOEPS P series, this bass cut is build in.
