​​​​. With a lower self-noise than other mics on review here, it gives you good crispness & clarity of sound for the price. Released in December, 2019, the NTG5 is the replacement for the extremely popular NTG3 with a catch…the NTG5 has better specifications, more accessories and a lower price ($200 less). One such feature is its ‘narrow acceptance angle.’ The pickup pattern on this mic is specifically designed to pick up focused sound from long distances away from the source. Today you’re going to learn about the best shotgun microphones for film for almost any budget. You even get to choose between using batteries or phantom power through the XLR cable. There are thousands of microphone options in the world. This makes it perfect for applications where you need to use a condenser mic, but don’t have access to phantom power. Whether you’re shopping for your first shotgun mic or for your 11th, the Rode NTG3B is an absolute overall number-one contender because of its medium price range, and because it is jam-packed with awesome features… on both the inside and outside. This is what we consider the top budget shotgun mic, and it’s certainly one of the best shotgun mics overall. Well, probably because it is literally a powerhouse! If you are on a budget, the Takstar SGC-598is a great choice. The short shotgun microphone is the go-to microphone for dialogue recordings on most films. At just over $100, this is a screaming deal. It is so well established, in fact, that come clients even request it specifically! If you’re a fan of the Rode VideoMic Pro, you’re going to love the sound quality of this model. This microphone is ideal if you need to save your wallet without skimping on sound quality. That’s why today, you’re going to learn all about the best shotgun mic for film options. This is what they call a ‘moving subject.’ Of course, keeping this from happening is the main goal. If you’re ready to hit that top-level, this is a mic to look at. The shotgun microphone has an outstanding frequency response with a range of 40 Hz – 2 kHz. Sennheiser MKH416 is a professional shotgun microphone, which is also a renowned industry standard for filmmaking, documentary, television and voiceovers. If you searching to check Best Shotgun Mic For Film Production And Browning Synthetic Shotgun Stocks price. If you shoot in indoor near-field locations, this is the mic for you. This powerful package even comes with a bonus — the Sennheiser MZH600 Windshield. If you want to save a few bucks off of the most expensive selections on our list, the Shure VP82 might be the product for you. With this omnidirectional lavalier mic, filmmakers can capture excellent sounds, voices, and dialogues. If you are looking for a low-cost yet incredible shotgun mic, the Comica CVM-V30 Pro mic is the ultimate solution. But in situations where you cannot keep this from occurring, a mic like the Rode NTG3B… which has a broader pickup pattern, will tend to keep recording quality audio, even if the subject moves around and the sound source changes locations (they move their head to the side, lean back, turn slightly, etc.). You can customize this product’s tone as well as it’s predictable directionality, even when you rotate the mic. The NTG5 shotgun microphone from Rode is the best overall shotgun mic because of its pro-level specifications, accessories and affordable price. What Kind of Mic Is Best Used for Film Recording? Here are some of our favorites. This structure lets it capture audio from long distances remarkably. Audio-Technica ATR 3350 ranks high as one of the best low-budget microphones for filmmaking. The Only Limit is Your Creativity It is durable, looks great thanks to matte black, is sturdy, and has low noise. Last Updated: October 8, 2020 Leave a Comment. And, as most producers have learned, audio quality can make or break any film … Your email address will not be published. However, the make or break commonality to all modern platforms for video and film is – if you try to upload or sell content with crappy audio, your project is going to be dead in the water. The Canon DM-E1, for instance, works as a shotgun mic and as a stereo MIC. Rode VideoMic Pro Plus On-Camera shotgun microphone can be considered as the best USB shotgun microphone. And lavalier mics are ideal when you are trying to capture one person’s voice without background noise. Shotgun microphone. Sennheiser MKE600. You can pick up one of these for less than $100. They are also ideal when trying to capture the sounds going on in your entire set, called Foley sounds. Due to the design of this mic, it has an increased amount of directivity… which means that when you point it at a sound source, it will be more likely to hone-in on the specific area you are pointing it at. In either case, you’ll find that the Rode NTG3B will give you a truly professional solution to your on-set sound challenges. This professional-grade Rhode VideoMic microphone can be utilized for several purposes due to its versatility with its unique features. The standout feature on the Pro model is the +20dB level boost, allowing you to get cleaner audio from farther away. So hats off to you for digging deep into this difficult-to-sort-through noise. You’ll probably come across, or already be familiar with Sennheiser mics, Azden mics, Rode mics or Audio-Technica mics to name only a … What’s the Difference Between a Shotgun Mic and a Boom Mic? When it comes to the construction assembly, this microphone is half inches condenser shotgun microphone. Here are our Top 3 recommended boom mics for every budget! In layman’s terms, this means that the directionality of the mic, coupled with its ability to pick up higher frequencies at a higher-quality level, give this mic the ability to pick up high quality, directional sound at surprising distances… while still maintaining a balanced, quality ‘character’ to the sound captured. You’re here because you want to take your sound to the next level. Learn more. Pure performance in a relatively compact package. The MKE 600 is a competitively priced option is the best well rounded shotgun mic on this list. This wiki has been updated 13 times since it was first published in October of 2018. Best XLR Shotgun Mic Comparison Table: 1. Pro-tip: Only those of you with cameras that accept XLR connections will be able to use the phantom power option, unless you’re capturing audio with an external interface/recorder. It’s the perfect tool for video interviews … The boom arm gives the filmmaker more freedom to capture audio that might be too far away from a stationary camera. If you’re able to spare some more room in your kit, one of the most popular mics for recording outside is the shotgun microphone. By Rode. And in case you don’t quite have the dough for our top selections, don’t worry. If you need great audio in a mid-range price range, the Rode NTG-2 Dual-Powered Directional Shotgun Microphone is a definite option to consider. Considering its smaller size and compact design, you can utilize it with the cameras, film production, and personal audio recordings. One thing that should get your attention about this particular mic is that it has a built-in battery that you can charge with a USB charger. This model comes in 2 versions (long and short) with t wo selectable patterns: cardioid and super cardioid. That basically means that higher frequencies are picked up more directionally than you might expect as the distance from the mic increases. In the world of video production, shotgun microphones are widely considered the go-to standard for getting the best audio. The Schoeps CMIT5U is a staple in the movie industry and beats most shotgun microphones by a mile where features are concerned. What I like about this shotgun mic, in particular, is the re-designed mount. It's specially designed to fit on smaller DSLR and digital camcorders, provided they have the right inputs. When you buy with our links, we may earn a commission. The best feature to quote about this mic is its power/charging options. This mic fits into a workable price-range for beginners or those leveling up their craft, and delivers a ton of value for the cost. It checks all the boxes for a great microphone. Microphone Basics is supported by readers. While that news is incredibly exciting for those of you getting into the game, it’s also a little daunting because the competition is fierce. Another fantastic feature of this mic is that it is rugged and durable. To give you an overview of this mic, the Audio-Technica AT8015 Shotgun is a line gradient condenser, phantom or battery-powered, shotgun mic. For this reason, it is super common to see this mic mounted to the tops of cameras, or on boom stands. If you want to make a splash in a pond that large, you need to put out high-quality content… and that includes superior sound. Another really cool thing about this mic is that it has a built-in high pass filter. Audio-Technica AT875R Line/Gradient Shotgun Condenser Microphone: 3. If you’re looking at the price points on our other selections and having a panic attack, you’re going to love the LyxPro CMG-50 Condenser Shotgun Mic. Lavaliers and other omnidirectional mics like the Rode wireless GO hide easily in clothing or other places to capture Foley sounds. Another really interesting thing about this mic is that it’s sound profile remains the same, even if it is rotated on its axis. There is no one “best” brand. Audio-Technica AT897. That company is Rode, and coming in at almost 30% less than the MKH416 is the Rode NTG3B. That basically means that sounds recorded with this mic are instantly sent through a sound filter that cuts out lower frequencies, while allowing the higher frequencies to travel through. Sens 416 has a compact design, yet offers high consonant articulation and feedback rejection. If you’ve ever seen a behind the scenes shot where some poor soul is holding a long stick with a microphone at the end, that’s a shotgun mic. If you need a real audio upgrade, but don’t have a bunch of cash to spend on it, this mic will get you an upgrade at a price point that is accessible to almost anyone. If you want to perfectly capture audio when filming, you should carefully choose the mic that you are going to use. One of the worst things a subject can do during an interview, or really during any sort of film, is to move around in unexpected, unplanned ways. But getting it within your price range is sometimes a challenge. The standard shotgun microphone in the industry for capturing vocal tracks (since its release in the 1970s!) Rode VideoMic Pro. Getting great audio is important. If sound quality is your thing, Sony put some newly developed (all rights reserved) tech inside our next selection, in the form of a whole new type of capsule. This product’s extremely low noise floor, in combination with a direct-coupled balanced output, makes it ideal even in noisy and windy conditions. Best Shotgun Mic for Film. If you use a small camera to shoot your video, this is also the shortest microphone on our list. Rode NTG-3B Shotgun Condenser Microphone. It gives you superb audio quality… enough so that it can act as a complete arsenal in your shotgun mic toolkit. Top 5: Best Shotgun microphones for shooting DSLR video on a budget 1. Rode Videomic Shotgun Microphone Rode Videomic Pro. If you’re using a small camera, this is one of the shotgun mics on our list designed just for you. Best Under $200. 2. Sennheiser MKH-416 Shotgun Microphone Pro Pack. Just a couple of decades ago, you needed thousands of dollars if you wanted to gear up to make a film of any kind. Top Pick: RODE NTG-3. The Rode NTG-3 Is An Excellent Alternative At A Lower Price. Another thing that people really like about this mic is its short size. The market for microphones … It’s directional pattern is the same on horizontal and vertical planes. Shotgun mics mount directly to your camera or to a boom arm to capture your intended vocal target, up to a certain range. Check Price. Since it is more compact, it is easier to handle while mounted to a camera or a boom arm, and can fit into situations where larger, longer mics may just be too bulky. What Is a Shotgun Mic Good For? And finally, the Sennheiser shines in the difficult-but-critical element for beefy vocal tracks, a solid low end without boomy bass frequencies. It is almost completely resistant to moisture, which is awesome for outdoor shoots. You can rely on this mic in any situation and anywhere. 5. What is more, the mic only weighs 6g thus likely to be your most … But its size also allows it to be used as a standard boom mic. Each mic will “color” your soundtrack differently. Runner up: Sennheiser MKH416. The Rode VideoMic Pro is a great on-camera shotgun mic that gives you a ton of flexibility. If you do need its stereo functionality, you would be better off picking a dedicated stereo MIC like the Shure VP83F LensHopper Camera-Mounted Mic or the RØDENTG2 Condenser Shotgun Microphone. What’s the Best Shotgun Mic for YouTube? Certainly, the SG-9P is a very decent shotgun mic at this price range. In addition to this, it is perfect audio companion for film-making and videography. Sennheiser MKE 600. How Do We Determine The Best Shotgun Mic? This item comes with a higher-level price point… but it's a mic that will also give you the power to take the quality of your audio to the highest levels of professionalism. These microphones have a highly concentrated pickup pattern that captures the intended target while blocking out everything else that you don’t want. Best shotgun microphones. The sound quality on this powerful little package is up there with the pricier mics, but its compact size makes it ideal for smaller cameras. This rugged powerhouse has been delivering perfect vocal tracks in the studio and in adverse outdoor conditions for over 40 years. The main benefit of this is that it gives you crystal clear vocal tracks, which is obviously what you want when recording audio. There you have it, folks, the absolute best microphones you’re going to find for putting top-notch audio in all of your video content. And with the three selectable filters, you can easily manage the proximity effect, boom noise, and high-frequency emphasis with the push of a button. Sennheiser MKH416 – Best shotgun mic for film This is the most expensive one in this list, and also the most trusted one by professional filmmakers. The Sennheiser MKH416-P48U3 shotgun microphone is a fantastic mic, it can be a little tough to pronounce, but their quality is extraordinary. Here are some of the best shotgun microphones for film in the industry: Sennheiser MKH416 Super Cardioid Condenser Microphone The Sennheiser 416 shotgun microphone is one of the standard mics used by location sound and boom operators worldwide. The term “boom mic” describes when a shotgun microphone is mounted on a boom arm instead of the camera. Whether you're making narrative films or documentaries, or you find yourself in a recording studio tracking voice-overs or certain musical instruments, a good shotgun microphone will prove to be an essential piece of equipment. Its primary focus is to capture over long distances. What’s the Difference Between a Shotgun Mic and a Boom Mic? Sennheiser is a well established brand in the film and music industry known for making excellent microphones. has been the Sennheiser MKH416, and it is still one of the best mics around. Sennheiser MKE 600 is often marketed as a shotgun mic to mount on your camera. The NTG3B excels at recording vocals with a full frequency range, low self-noise, and special housing that’s resistant to moisture so you can capture audio effectively, no matter where you go. Vloggers, YouTubers, documentarians, and filmmakers all have different needs when it comes to tech. It uses a true condenser, externally polarized capsule of a high quality that can tolerate harsh conditions very well. Terms of Service, The Top 5 Best Shotgun Mics For Film – Our Picks, Rode Blimp Windshield and Rycote Shock Mount Suspension System – The Best Shotgun Mic Windshield. The NTG3B shotgun microphone does an awesome job of filling two different types of seats in the microphone world. This product is the first of its kind to come with a built-in rechargeable lithium battery that lasts up to 150+ hours - and you can charge it in only two hours using the included Micro USB. Low end rumble can also be cut out with a high pass filter. To learn about the best omnidirectional microphones to capture these atmosphere sounds, check out this article. If you’re going to be shooting outside, in studios with concrete flooring, where there is the risk for dropping, moisture, or for the mic to be ‘knocked around,’ then the Sennheiser MKH416 is actually a great choice. A shotgun mic and a boom mic are the same things. Rounding out our best shotgun mic for film list, the AT897 features a line-gradient design with a narrow angle. The Sony ECM678/9X is one of the most comprehensive shotgun microphones on this list today. This battery-operated shotgun microphone gives you 80 hours of working time. Best Under $100. If you think that you need to spend top-dollar for a decent microphone, you would be mistaken. After all, YouTube is the second-largest search engine in the world after Google, with 400 hours of content uploaded every minute. Aside from capturing the audio, you also want your mic to be hidden from view while filming. ​​​​. Worried about your mic getting wet? Sennheiser MKE 600 Camcorder Shotgun Microphone, Audio-Technica AT875R Line + Gradient Condenser Microphone. *** FREE Guide to Filming Amazing Videos on Smartphone! However, you will need wind protection for the mic. And according to these features, the only people who will be able to tell that you went with a lower price point will be those with access to your accounts. It also has a 0dB and -10dB setting, a flat and 80Hz high pass filter, and very low self-noise. “Foley sounds” are ambiance noises, squeaky doors, swinging of fists, the swishing of clothing, footsteps, a bouncing basketball, cash registers, or engine sounds from cars. If you have the money for it, and you want the absolute best of the best, this Schoeps CMIT 5 is the industry standard for many professional videographers. It is designed specifically for video production, and packs in a lot of features for filmmakers. This decreases the chance for other sounds, happening to the sides, to make it onto the track. When capturing these sounds during filming, you can dramatically reduce editing time because the sync point of footsteps or hits is seen clearly in this starting audio track. Amazon and the Amazon logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc or its affiliates. Have you ever wondered why the Sennheiser MKH416 has been going strong since the mid seventies? Tikysky Camera Microphone. If you find that your film budget is far smaller than you would like, this Audio-Technica AT875R Line/Gradient Shotgun Condenser Microphone is almost the least expensive option on our list today (under $200). And Audio-Technica’s special (all right’s reserved) technology is going to help you do just that with the Audio-Technica BP4071 Condenser Microphone. Rode NTG4+ Supercardioid Condenser Shotgun Microphone NTG4PLUS: Those who always get irritated by the charging issues will be very happy to have ... 2. If you find yourself in noisy locations, capturing sound can be rough. No matter what kind of camera you’re using, you can capture sound perfectly with the MKE 600 thanks to the options to use batteries or phantom power. Rode NTG5. And though you’ve gotten a look at our top 5, there are still some excellent options in the shotgun mic world that barely didn’t make the cut. Bonus to consider: This microphone kit includes a Sennheiser 416 shotgun mic, a Sennheiser 60-1 blimp windscreen, a furry muff, plus a pistol grip that works with the combo. External RF-bias technology makes this mic almost completely resistant to moisture, Included: aluminum storage cylinder, pop-filter, mic clip, and a large zip pouch, Fully floating and transformerless balanced output, RF condenser microphone ideal for inclement weather situations, Includes: RMS mic clip, foam windshield, ZP1 pouch, and Micro USB, You can charge this product using your PC, power-brick, and even your car, Built-in high-pass filter, PAD, and high-frequency boost (with easy-to-reach controls), Excellent sound rejection from the sides and rear, Included: AT8405a stand clamp for 5/8″ threaded stands; 5/8″-27 to 3/8″-16 threaded adapter; windscreen; two O rings; and a carrying pouch, Mounting: 3/8″-16 female, 5/8″-27 female, mic clip (included), A rotationally symmetrical lobar super-cardioid pickup pattern, Bass roll-off filter button: 6 dB/octave below 300 Hz (offsets proximity effect), High pass filter button: 18 dB/octave below 80 Hz (suppresses rumble and boom noise), High boost button: +5dB boost at 10kHz (decreases noise from the windscreen and increases vocals), P48 phantom power or AA batteries with a selection knob to switch between the two, Lightweight yet rugged aluminum alloy housing, Transformerless design ideal for picking up transient sound, Includes: AT8405a stand clamp for 5/8″-27 threaded stands; 5/8″-27 to 3/8″-16 threaded adapter; AT8145 windscreen; two O-rings; and a protective carrying case, Super-cardioid unidirectional recording pattern, Included: windscreen, stand adapter, short LR cable (for use with a camcorder), mic spacer, mic holder, and a carrying case, Extra-wide aperture for near-field recording. The Audio-Technica AT8015 Shotgun has proven to us it is currently the best budget microphone, offering the most features for the lowest price. microphonebasics.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. This product comes with everything you’re going to need right out of the box — including a “dead cat” for high-wind filming, a Rode MICRO BOOMPOLE, and an XLR cable. Sound crews primarily use shotgun microphones when shooting their films, as they mount easily to a camera or a boom arm while capturing crisp and clear vocals without background noise. On one hand, if you’re only going to own one shotgun mic, the NTG3B is an excellent mic to choose, because it is incredibly versatile. This shotgun mic shootout comparing the Rode Video Mic Pro vs. Deity S-Mic 2 vs. If you have enough money to spend, you can confidently go for it. 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