Transducer arrays for many underwater sound applications have customarily been designed for equal sidelobe levels. This is, perhaps, as much due to the convenience of the analytical Dolph—Chebyshev technique as to any specific requirement. Using a simple adaptation of a previously reported numerical technique for symmetrical arrays [G. L. Wilson, J. Acoust. Soc. Am.59, 195 (1976)], designs can be obtained whose directional response has a taper on the envelope enclosing the side lobes. The method is equally applicable to sum and to difference patterns. Examples are given. [This work was sponsored by the Naval Sea Systems Command, Code SEA‐034.]