A noise-canceling, also known as close talking or pressure gradient, microphone takes advantage of proximity directional response pattern to maximize signal compared to competing sound sources and background environment noise. Close sounds directed at the 0° or 180° axis produce a large pressure difference for all frequencies. Far sounds produce a much smaller pressure difference. For far sounds, the microphone responds to the phase difference which is minimal for low frequencies. Background environmental noise is canceled due to the figure-eight polar response.