The AKG C568 is a short rifle mic and is more sensitive to high
frequency sounds in front of it. It achieves this (as do all
of this type of microphone) by having a series of 'slots' cut
into the barrel of the mic at specific points which allow sounds
of specific frequencies to reach the mic capsule (the part that
turns the sound into electrical energy) at slightly different
times and cancel out.
It is important to position these slots so that they are facing
upwards particularly if the 568 is being used on the front
of a stage with the underside of the barrell close to the stage
floor, as the proximity of a surface to the slots will affect
the path lengths taken by the specific frequencies.
