A directional microphone is proposed which exhibits a closed housing with a multiplicity of acoustic openings and a microphone device, which is encapsulated in the housing and has linear pressure gradients. The acoustic openings are provided in the front face of the housing, a main acoustic axis which is arranged perpendicular to a diaphragm of the microphone device being located essentially parallel to the front face of the housing. Between the outer surface of the microphone device and the inner surface of the housing, an acoustic baffle is provided which divides the interior of the microphone device into a first and a second space. <IMAGE>
