5+ Best Shotgun Microphones: Ultimate Guide (2024)
If you’re looking for the best shotgun microphone, then you’ve come to the right place! We understand that finding the perfect mic can be a daunting task. That’s why we’ve done all of your research and compiled it into one easy-to-read guide.
Here, we’ll discuss five top rated mics – their features, pricing options, and our personal recommendations. Our detailed product descriptions and ratings provide an accurate representation of each model’s performance, making it easier than ever to find exactly what you need.
So if you’re ready to find out which is truly the best shotgun microphone for your needs keep reading!
The Best Shotgun Microphones
| Best Shotgun Microphone | Price (Click links for best pricing) | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Rode VideoMic Pro+ | $275 | Best Overall |
| Sennheiser MKE 600 | $319 | Great For Outdoor Vlogging |
| Shure VP83F LensHopper | $199 | Excellent Build & Durability |
| Audio-Technica AT875R | $169 | Premium Sound Quality & Affordable |
| Azden SMX-10 | $72 | Best Budget |
1. Rode VideoMic Pro+
Rode VideoMic Pro+
The Rode VideoMic Pro+ is a popular shotgun microphone for video recording. It’s designed to be lightweight and portable, making it ideal for filmmakers on the go.
The mic features an integrated shock mount and Rycote Lyre suspension system that reduces unwanted vibrations and handling noise.
It also has a built-in high pass filter to reduce low frequency rumble, as well as a -10dB pad switch that allows you to record loud sound sources without distortion.
Key Features
The VideoMic Pro+ offers excellent audio quality with its broadcast-grade condenser capsule, which captures detailed sounds from up to 30 feet away.
Its supercardioid polar pattern ensures maximum gain before feedback while rejecting off-axis sound from the sides and rear of the microphone.
Additionally, it has an integrated pop shield that helps minimize plosives when recording vocals or dialogue.
Pricing
In terms of price, the Rode VideoMic Pro+ is fairly affordable compared to other professional microphones in its class at around $200 USD retail price (or less if purchased used).
This makes it an attractive option for budget conscious filmmakers who don’t want to sacrifice audio quality for their projects.
Bottom Line
Overall, the Rode VideoMic Pro+ is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a dependable shotgun microphone with superior sound quality at a reasonable price. With its solid construction and versatile features, this mic will help you record clear audio no matter what type of project you are working on.
The Rode VideoMic Pro+ is an excellent choice for anyone looking for a shotgun microphone that offers great sound quality and durability, making it ideal for any project.
2. Sennheiser MKE 600
Sennheiser MKE 600
The Sennheiser MKE 600 is a professional-grade shotgun microphone designed for video recording.
It’s an ideal choice for filmmakers, vloggers, and other content creators who need to capture clear audio in noisy environments.
Key Features
The MKE 600 has a supercardioid polar pattern that helps isolate the sound you want while reducing background noise.
It also features low-cut filter switches and adjustable sensitivity settings so you can tailor your recordings to fit any situation.
Plus, it has a built-in shock mount that eliminates handling noise from bumps or vibrations during recording sessions.
Pricing
The Sennheiser MKE 600 retails for around $200 USD, making it one of the more affordable options on the market today.
For this price point, you get all of the features mentioned above plus excellent build quality and durability – something not found with cheaper microphones in this range.
Bottom Line
If you’re looking for a reliable shotgun microphone at an affordable price point, the Sennheiser MKE 600 is an ideal choice. Its combination of features makes it perfect for capturing clear audio in noisy environments without breaking your budget.
The Sennheiser MKE 600 is a great shotgun microphone for anyone looking for an affordable, high-quality option.
3. Shure VP83F LensHopper
Shure VP83F LensHopper
The Shure VP83F LensHopper is a compact shotgun microphone designed for video recording.
It features an integrated shock mount and foam windscreen, allowing you to capture clear audio in any environment.
The mic also has a low-cut filter switch that helps reduce unwanted background noise and a three-position gain control switch for adjusting the output level.
Key Features
The VP83F offers excellent sound quality with its supercardioid polar pattern, which provides maximum rejection of off-axis sounds while still capturing all the nuances of your recordings.
Its lightweight design makes it easy to carry around and set up quickly on location shoots or studio sessions. Plus, its built-in headphone jack allows you to monitor your recordings in real time without needing additional equipment.
Pricing
In terms of pricing, the Shure VP83F LensHopper is quite affordable compared to other professional microphones on the market today.
This makes it ideal for those who are just starting out with video production but don’t want to break the bank on expensive gear right away.
Bottom Line
Overall, if you are looking for an affordable yet high-quality shotgun microphone for video recording, then the Shure VP83F LensHopper is a great option.
It offers superior sound quality and convenient features such as an integrated shock mount and foam windscreen, a low cut filter switch, and a gain control switch. These features will help take your videos from amateurish to professional in no time.
The Shure VP83F LensHopper is an excellent choice for recording high-quality audio, and its durable construction makes it a reliable microphone.
4. Audio-Technica AT875R
Audio-Technica AT875R
The Shure VP83F LensHopper is a compact shotgun microphone designed for video recording.
It features an integrated shock mount and foam windscreen, allowing you to capture clear audio in any environment.
The mic also has a low-cut filter switch that helps reduce unwanted background noise and a three-position gain control switch for adjusting the output level.
The Audio-Technica AT875R is an affordable shotgun microphone for video recording. It’s a great choice for those looking to get professional audio without breaking the bank.
Key Features
The AT875R has a tight supercardioid polar pattern, which helps reduce background noise and increase sound clarity.
It also features low handling noise and a wide frequency response range of 40 Hz to 20 kHz. Additionally, it comes with an integrated shock mount that reduces vibration interference from camera movement or other sources.
Pricing
The Audio-Technica AT875R retails for around $150 USD, making it one of the most affordable shotgun microphones on the market today.
Bottom Line
For those looking for high quality audio at an affordable price point, the Audio-Technica AT875R is a great option.
Its tight supercardioid polar pattern helps isolate your subject’s voice while reducing background noise, and its wide frequency response range ensures you capture all the nuances in their performance.
Additionally, its integrated shock mount eliminates any potential vibrations from camera movement or other sources during recording sessions.
The Audio-Technica AT875R is a great choice for those looking for a shotgun microphone with clear sound and superior quality.
5. Azden SMX-10
Azden SMX-10
The Azden SMX-10 Stereo Shotgun Microphone is a great choice for those looking to capture high-quality audio on their video recordings.
It features two condenser capsules in an X/Y stereo configuration, providing excellent sound separation and clarity.
The microphone also has a low noise floor and wide frequency response, making it ideal for capturing both dialogue and ambient sounds.
Key Features
The SMX-10 is designed with portability in mind, weighing only 4 ounces (113 grams). Its lightweight construction makes it easy to carry around without sacrificing quality or performance.
Additionally, the microphone comes with a foam windscreen that helps reduce unwanted background noise when recording outdoors.
In terms of sound quality, the SMX-10 delivers clear audio at all frequencies from 40 Hz to 20 kHz. This allows you to capture both subtle nuances as well as loud noises without distortion or clipping.
The microphone also has an adjustable gain control knob which can be used to adjust the sensitivity of the mic depending on your needs.
Pricing
When it comes to price, the Azden SMX-10 Stereo Shotgun Microphone is very affordable compared to other microphones in its class – usually costing between $100-$150 USD depending on where you buy it from.
For this price point, you get a reliable piece of equipment that will last for years if taken care of properly – making it one of the best value microphones available today.
Bottom Line
Overall, if you are looking for an affordable and high-quality shotgun microphone for your video recordings then the Azden SMX-10 Stereo Shotgun Microphone is a great option. It offers superior sound quality and portability at a reasonable price, making it ideal for those who want professional results without breaking their budget.
FAQs in Relation to Best Shotgun Microphone
Which shotgun microphone is best?
It offers superior sound quality, with a wide frequency response range and low noise floor. Its integrated shock mount helps reduce handling noise and its lightweight design makes it easy to use in any situation.
The built-in headphone jack allows for real-time monitoring of audio levels, making sure you get the perfect take every time. With its rugged construction and reliable performance, this mic is an excellent choice for anyone looking for professional results without breaking the bank.
Are shotgun microphones good?
Shotgun microphones are a great choice for many audio applications. They have an extremely focused pickup pattern, allowing them to pick up sound from the direction they’re pointed while rejecting noise from other directions.
This makes them ideal for capturing dialogue and sound effects in noisy environments or at long distances. Shotgun mics also tend to be more directional than other types of mics, so they can help reduce background noise and improve overall audio quality.
In short, shotgun microphones are a great option for buyers looking to capture high-quality audio recordings with minimal effort.
What is the industry standard shotgun mic?
The industry standard shotgun microphone is the Sennheiser MKH 416. It’s a professional-grade mic that has been used in many film and television productions for decades.
Its tight polar pattern ensures high levels of off-axis noise rejection, making it ideal for capturing dialogue in noisy environments. The low self-noise level also makes it great for recording sound effects and ambience with minimal background hiss.
With its rugged construction and reliable performance, the MKH 416 is an excellent choice for any audio production project.
What shotgun microphones are used in film industry?
Shotgun microphones are a popular choice for film industry professionals due to their directional characteristics and ability to capture sound from a distance.
Popular models include the Sennheiser MKH 416, Rode NTG-3, Audio Technica AT897, and Shure VP83F. These mics offer high quality audio recording with low noise levels and excellent off-axis rejection of unwanted sounds.
They are ideal for capturing dialogue in outdoor environments or when there is background noise present.
Conclusion
Overall, when it comes to finding the best shotgun microphone for your needs, there are a lot of great options available.
The Rode VideoMic Pro+, Sennheiser MKE 600, Shure VP83F LensHopper, Audio-Technica AT875R and Azden SMX-10 Stereo Shotgun Microphone all offer excellent features at various price points that make them worth considering.
Whether you’re looking for something budget friendly or more high end, any one of these microphones can help you get the job done with crystal clear audio quality. Ultimately, the best shotgun microphone is the one that fits your specific needs and budget.
