When it comes to video production, shotgun microphones are some of the most commonly used mics. Audio quality can make or break any video, which is why it’s important to choose the proper microphone for your project. Whether you’re shooting a vlog or a professional video, good audio quality can really enhance the end result.
A shotgun microphone, or an interference tube microphone, is a narrow and long tube with a capsule near the rear end and slits along each side. This type of microphone is designed for sounds from the sides to enter through the slits, while sounds from in front of the mic pass through to the capsule. This results in rejection of the off-axis sounds, thanks to the phase cancellation effect.
What Are the Best Shotgun Microphones Right Now?
Different shotgun mics offer different qualities and designs. Even though these microphones were used mostly by professionals, advancements in technology have led to ordinary people using shotgun microphones. Good shotgun mics are able to pick up quiet sounds from the front while rejecting almost all sounds coming from the sides.
Today, let’s have a look at the top 5 shotguns microphones on the market right now.
1. Rode NTG2 Condenser Shotgun Microphone with AmazonBasics XLR Male to Female Microphone Cable
This bundle contains one Amazon Basics XLR Male to Female Microphone Cable in black and one Rode NTG2 Multi-Powered Condenser Shotgun Microphone in black.
Great for live sound and studio recording, the product has a flexible PVC jacket and protective metal housing that makes it flexible and durable. The cable is 10 feet long and comes in black.
The noise interference is reduced thanks to the all-copper conductors with inner copper spiral shielding, which provides clear transmission of sound. The Amazon Basics XLR Male to Female Microphone Cable can be played with XLR-compatible PA systems or equipment.
The Rode NTG2 Multi-Powered Condenser Shotgun Microphone has a rugged metal construction and a 48V phantom power of a 1.5 V AA battery. It is made out of metal and the signal-to-noise ratio is 76 dB.
You might be worried that pin 1 on the mic is longer than the other, but that shouldn’t be a concern. Most XLR Rode microphones are designed like this, and it’s perfectly normal. This just makes sure that when an XLR is plugged into the microphone XLR socket, the ground pin is the first pin that comes into contact. It’s a feature often implanted in RODE mics to protect the mic circuitry from a static electricity short that could cause potential damage.
What we like:
- Exceptional battery life
- Offers a professional quality of the sound
- Blocks out almost all background noise
- No worries about breaking the microphone
What we don’t like:
- Some users complained that the items didn’t come packed in a Rode box
2. Audio-Technica AT875R Line/Gradient Shotgun Condenser Microphone
The Audio-Technica mic is designed for broadcast audio acquisition and video production. It’s ideal for use with compact digital cameras because it’s extremely short in length, clocking in at just under 7 inches.
Not only does this mic do an excellent job at rejecting professional sounds from the rear and sides of the microphone, but the tailored response reduces handling and camera noises. It’s also great for long-distance sound pickup due to the narrow acceptance angle.
Surprisingly affordable, this option eliminates sounds that happen behind the microphone. The input to the microphone is XLR and there’s no space for a battery inside the microphone.
Something else users want to know before buying a microphone is the noise pick-up. Rest assured, this microphone has really low noise levels, which is a definite plus since it makes your audio sound so much better.
The sound quality and limited noise of this microphone make it a fantastic option.
What we like:
- Does a great job of rejecting side noise
- It’s a versatile mic that works great indoors as well as outdoors
- Provides a clear sound
- A really affordable option
What we don’t like:
- You will need more supporting equipment with this mic, like a good shock mount, XLR cables, and preamps
3. VidPro XM55 Xm-55 13-Piece Professional Video & Broadcast Unidirectional Condenser Microphone Kit
The VIdPro Microphone Kit is suitable both for outdoor and indoor use, thanks to its durable aluminum-alloy construction. The mic has a focused audio pickup and it’s a solid choice for studio recording, promo videos, film shoots, and interviews.
The mic comes with short and long audio cables with multiple connectors to support XLR, 6.3 mm, and 3.5 mm mini jacks. Additionally, the product has useful accessories that come with it, like a cushioned hand grip, a foam windshield, a furry wind muff, a suspension shock mount, a camera shoe adapter, and an AA alkaline battery.
What we like:
- The mic comes with lots of accessories
- Inexpensive option that works effortlessly
- Has a great battery life
- The microphone captures clean audio
What we don’t like:
- Some users complained that the mic didn’t work upon receiving it
4. Sennheiser Pro Audio Wireless Microphone System, Black (MKE600)
With the Sennheiser mic, the wind ambient noise is minimized by the switchable “Low Cut” filter and the microphone provides optimal rejection of side noise. The mic has good sensitivity to its surroundings and a clear focus on speech, making it a top choice for professional movie recording. In general, it’s suited for both indoor and outdoor recording.
The frequency response is from 40 HZ to 20 kHz. This mic comes with a shock mount and a foam windshield, and when these accessories are combined, they effectively reduce wind noise.
The microphone has been developed for video journalists who need easy-to-use equipment and high-quality audio, so you’ll be able to enjoy crystal clear sound without any background noise.
The MKE600 can function using a standard single AA battery, and it doesn’t require phantom power. When the camera is no longer in use, the battery power can be switched off easily. When the battery is running low, you’ll see a LED on the battery switch that will turn on.
What we like:
- You can easily record speech thanks to its rich sound
- You can operate the pic with standard AA batteries
- Suitable for indoors and outdoors
- Notifies you when batteries are running low
What we don’t like:
- No particular complaints by users for this product
5. SYNCO Authorized Shotgun-Microphone, SYNCO-Mic-D2-Hyper-Cardioid-Directional-Condenser-Mic with XLR Connector, Professional Video/Audio Recording for Camcorders/Boom Poles/Tripods
The SYNCO mic comes with a Deadcat and a carrying case bag. To achieve the best sound pickup effect, the mic is highly sensitive to directional sounds.
More good news: this one’s ideal for outdoor audio recording thanks to the metal body and solid construction. The mic can even work when it’s raining because of its impressive black speckle finish.
What we like:
- Has a stable and solid construction
- Comes with a carrying case bag
- Includes a Deadcat
- Works in the rain
What we don’t like:
- Some users complained that the windscreen design is too thick
Benefits of Shotgun Microphones
When shooting a video, a primary challenge can be capturing high-quality audio. The narrow pickup pattern of shotgun mics is one of their biggest advantages. In comparison, for instance, a camcorder’s built-in mic usually has a pickup pattern that’s wider and lower in quality, which leads to a greater amount of the surrounding sounds making it onto your audio recording.
When it comes to good quality audio, built-in mics are not usually the right choice. While shotgun microphones give you a clear audio pickup, built-in mics tend to pick up a ton of background wind and unwanted noise.
Besides their narrow pickup pattern, another great benefit of the best shotgun microphones is that they possess long reach. When you need to record from far away, this feature can be of tremendous help. Shotgun mics record sounds from a distance and help with isolation due to the fact that their pickup patterns are long.
Just remember that the more affordable shotgun mics capture sounds from three to four feet away, while the more expensive options capture sounds from six to ten feet away. Keep in mind also that if you plan to make movements during shooting, you will need a special shock mount and a boom pole. Additionally, you’ll need someone who knows how to position the microphone to get the best natural sound results and to keep the shotgun microphone out of your shots.
You should know also that these types of microphones are especially disposed to wind noise, due to their design. Using a “Deadcat” windshield or sound blimps will help get rid of the wind noise when recording. Lastly, small rooms aren’t ideal for shotgun microphones, especially if we’re talking small rooms with lots of hard surfaces. Shotgun microphones are the best for large spaces and outdoors.
Difference Between Shotgun Microphones and Lavaliers
Lavaliers, or lapel mics, capture high quality sound just as shotgun mics do. Both of these microphones are great for interviews, vlogging, and dialogue. Usually, lavaliers are clipped onto the subjects.
While directional lavaliers do exist, shotgun microphones are more versatile and offer a more polished pickup pattern. Also, when compared to lapel microphones, shotgun microphones sound a lot more natural. Also, you won’t need to worry about concealing them in your shots.
How to Get Better Sound with Shotgun Microphones
In order to get the best sound from your shotgun microphone, it’s essential that you keep it pointed in the direction of your sound source and as close to the speaker as possible. As we previously mentioned, these types of microphones reject unwanted sounds from the rear and the sides and focus on the subject closely or directly in front of them.
You’ll be able to hear clear dialogue and a crisp sound if your microphone is positioned a few feet above your subject. This way, the sounds coming from the room will be off-axis and the microphone will be pointing downwards. The mic will focus less on the noise from the environment and will emphasize the voice.
One last thing we should point out about the position of the microphone is that you should avoid having your shotgun microphone pointed at hard surfaces, like brick walls or hardwood floors, if you’re doing a shoot indoors. The reason? It’s because these types of surfaces reflect sound waves and interfere with the effectiveness of the tube design. This ultimately leads to low-frequency noise being captured on your audio recording.
Final Thoughts
Before buying a shotgun microphone, make sure you really understand the factors we’ve been discussing. A solid shotgun microphone is a good investment if you want a mic that can be used in a number of different situations.
If you don’t want to be preoccupied with the battery life of your microphone, you should go for the Rode NTG2 Condenser Shotgun Microphone with AmazonBasics XLR Male to Female Microphone Cable.
If you’re looking for a versatile microphone that you can use for indoor and outdoor shoots, the Audio-Technica AT875R Line/Gradient Shotgun Condenser Microphone is a good choice for you.
The VidPro XM55 Xm-55 13-Piece Professional Video & Broadcast Unidirectional Condenser Microphone Kit is a great pick if you’re looking for a kit that comes with lots of accessories.
You should invest in the Sennheiser Pro Audio Wireless Microphone System, Black (MKE600) if you’re looking for a mic that will operate with standard AA batteries.
The SYNCO Authorized Shotgun-Microphone, SYNCO-Mic-D2-Hyper-Cardioid-Directional-Condenser-Mic with XLR Connector, Professional Video/Audio Recording for Camcorders/Boom Poles/Tripods is a stellar option if you’re looking for a microphone that will work even in the rain.
We’ve explored some of the best shotgun microphones today, and now it’s up to you to decide which shotgun mic is perfect for your projects.
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