What type of microphone can focus on sounds from a specific direction?

A directional microphone is specifically designed to capture sound from a particular direction while minimizing the pickup of noise from other angles. This characteristic makes it particularly useful in environments with competing sounds, as it can isolate the desired sound source more effectively than other types of microphones.

In contrast, an omnidirectional microphone captures sound equally well from all directions, making it less suitable for focusing on specific sounds. Electret and condenser microphones denote specific types of technologies used to create microphones but do not inherently imply directional capabilities. Thus, while electret microphones can be omnidirectional or directional, the term "directional" clearly identifies the function that allows the microphone to focus on sounds from a specific direction.