Multi pattern mic. Which pattern for vocals?

[lespaulreedsmith]

My new CAD mic has the variable pattern dial where you roll the knob and it scrolls thru the patterns.
I have found (at least to my ears) a 'fuller' sound when I do my solo vocals with the figure 8 pattern. I think (correct me if I'm wrong) most people use cardiod front address for most single vocalists usually, right?

What am I hearing that makes me think I'm hearing a 'fatter, fuller sounding' solo vocal take using figure 8 when I playback the material?
Anyone?

[ricoh]

My new CAD mic has the variable pattern dial where you roll the knob and it scrolls thru the patterns.
I have found (at least to my ears) a 'fuller' sound when I do my solo vocals with the figure 8 pattern. I think (correct me if I'm wrong) most people use cardiod front address for most single vocalists usually, right?

What am I hearing that makes me think I'm hearing a 'fatter, fuller sounding' solo vocal take using figure 8 when I playback the material?
Anyone?

The room reflections

[elambo]

Yep, room reflections. Alternatively, if you like the fullness but not necessarily the sound of your room in figure-8, you could keep it at cardioid and get closer to the mic. If you like it in figure-8, keep it that way. Certainly nothing wrong recording vocals in F8.

[KungFuLio]

Hate to disagree but I think you are hearing a more hyped version of the proximaty affect than if you were in cardioid. I also think that omni it the best way to record a vocal, but you need a great sounding room. The sound of the room will come greatly into play recording this way, but the "sound" of the microphone gets out of the way, not completely but substantially.

[MichaelK]

I've recorded vocals using cardioid, figure-of-8, and in-between figure-of-8 and hypercardioid. Wherever it sounds best. Cardioid is great for a singer who knows how to work the mic.