Electro-Voice PolarChoice PC Desktop-5 Microphone

The PC Desktop is a free-standing table microphone on a dual-section gooseneck, and the -5 is the short version for a desk where a long neck would be in the way. Its dual capsule switches between omni, cardioid, supercardioid and hypercardioid, so one microphone covers a round-table discussion and a single talker in a live room without swapping hardware.

Response stays even across all four patterns, which is what keeps a room from sounding different every time somebody changes the setting. Low-frequency response is extended with a switchable high-pass filter to take out rumble. The mute switch has an LED and can be programmed as push on/off or push-to-mute. The base is steel and stays put.