PROXIMITY MICROPHONE

Embodiments include a microphone array comprising a first plurality of directional microphone elements arranged in a first cluster formed by directing a front face of the microphone elements towards a center of the first cluster, and a second plurality of directional microphone elements arranged in a second cluster formed by directing a front face of the elements away from a center of the second cluster, wherein the first cluster is disposed vertically above the second cluster. Also provided is a microphone comprising a first microphone array comprising a plurality of directional microphone elements arranged in close proximity to each other and configured to capture near-field sounds within a first range of frequencies, and a second microphone array disposed concentrically around the first microphone array, the second array comprising a plurality of omnidirectional microphone elements configured to capture near-field sounds within a second range of frequencies higher than the first range.