SCHOEPS switchable-pattern microphone capsules are single-membrane systems. Unlike dual-membrane microphones their patterns are changed mechanically, not electrically. This is a more demanding approach, but it pays off because the capsule is a true pressure transducer in the omnidirectional setting (with full low-frequency response and a lack of proximity effect), while in the cardioid setting, the pattern is maintained down to the lowest frequencies so that the pickup from all angles of sound incidence remains clear and accurate. All the patterns of the switchable-pattern capsules offer a level of performance that is very close to that of the corresponding single-pattern capsules.