Whether you're a freelance journalist, vlogger, independent filmmaker, or rising influencer, a shotgun microphone is one of the most important tools you can add to your production kit. But what exactly is a shotgun microphone? How does it work and when should you use it? Let's look into and the ins and outs of shotgun mics, and explore some microphone recommendations that would best suit your recording needs.
A shotgun mic is designed to pick up sound from one specific direction or angle (on-axis sound) while rejecting sound coming from the sides (off-axis sound). Minimizing off-axis sound allows clearer capturing of the on-axis source.
These high-directionality mics are often used in TV, film shoots, documentaries, or any type of content creation where dialogue is the key take-away and/or where the sound source must be positioned at a certain distance away from the camera. Given their ability to filter out surrounding sound, they excel in noisy, outdoor environments as well.
The ideal shotgun microphones are often described as "high-sensitivity" and low "self-noise." Because they're so good at what they do, they can even pick up noise from internal circuitry. The best mics work to minimize that audible hiss, even when recording quiet sounds.
Why Are Shotgun Microphones Long?
While it's an understandable misconception, shotgun mics aren't long because they "reach out" for sound. Rather, the length of the tube dictates how effective the microphone is at reducing off-axis sound—the longer the mic, the lower the frequency at which it can reject off-axis sound.
How Does a Shotgun Microphone Work?
The magic of a shotgun mic comes from the "interference tube." This cylindrical tube has openings throughout it and is mounted to the front of the microphone capsule (which is the part that converts soundwaves into mic signals). It allows the microphone to discern between on-axis and off-axis sounds by making each type of sound hit the microphone in a different way.
On-axis sounds, or those that enter nearest to the capsule, are also often described as pickups that are "in phase." These are sounds that travel towards where the shotgun mic is pointed/angled. Then, through the complicated laws of acoustics, the interference tube acts to "neutralize" off-axis sounds as they pass through the openings of the tube (also described as "phase-cancellation"). This explains how a shotgun mic works to capture distant dialogue, for example, with minimal noise from the surrounding environment.
How Far Can Shotgun Mics Reach?
As we previously mentioned, longer shotgun mics (which have longer interference tubes) have tighter pickups than shorter shotgun mics. How far a shotgun can reach greatly depends on the length of the mic and your surrounding environment. It's hard to give specific numbers in terms of range, given that the recording environment is such an important factor. That said, a shotgun mic usually has a pickup range in the ballpark of about 4 to 10 feet.
Long Shotgun Mics
If you're recording in a noisy environment and you're shooting from some distance away, it's advisable that you go for a longer tube, as it will give you a tighter pickup. That said, given the length of these mics, they are more challenging to work with. Even slight movement while recording, can audibly weaken the signal of the source. To mitigate this, a well planted boompole or a seasoned boom mic operator is key to a consistent recording.
Short Shotgun Mics
Short shotgun mics are usually used for recording sources closer to the camera. They are best used in situations like interviews, on-the-go productions involving vlogging, and/or presentations where lengthy and complicated production setups are unnecessary and impractical.
Short shotgun mics still rejects more off-axis sound than other types of directional mics, such as a hyper-cardioid microphone. Short shotgun mics are also generally easier to use, since they can usually be mounted on a camera or boompole, avoiding the need for a boom operator.
When Should You Use a Shotgun Microphone?
Interviews, Vlogging, and Video Journalism
Say you're filming, trying to influence your followers to visit a new vegan cupcake shop in the West Village that has a Bengal kitty café in the back. You want good pickup of your voice on camera but need a natural sound recording that something like a lavalier mic can't provide. Mounting a shotgun mic to your camera may be the best way to achieve optimal sound quality without the need for a boom mic operator or a wireless mic setup.
Placing the mic about 3' to 4' away from the subject should be sufficient for picking up clear audio. That said, don't be afraid to play around with positioning to achieve the optimal sound for your environment.
Alternatively, if you're conducting an interview indoors, you could mount the shotgun mic on an overhead boom pole, or a boom operator standing 3' to 5' away can place it above the subject's head angled towards their mouth.
The Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Microphone is a great example of a camera-mountable shotgun mic that would fit in either of those scenarios. It's especially suited to outdoor scenarios thanks in part to its switchable low-cut filter, which minimizes low-frequency noise from annoyances like air-conditioners and traffic. It also has a foam windscreen to reduce noise from wind, fans, etc.
A shoe shockmount is also included to install it on a camera or a boom pole. And it also includes a short adapter cable that lets you connect the mic directly into a mini-jack mic input on your camera.
It can also be phantom powered and is compatible with many handheld or field recorders, or alternatively run off a single AA battery that can keep it powered for up to about 150 hours. So, apart from the battery, the MKE 600 is pretty much ready to go out of the box while being reasonably easy on the wallet too.
If you're a casual vlogger looking for something that's also compatible with mobile devices, such as phones, laptops or iPads, you can opt for the budget friendly RODE VideoMic NTG Hybrid Analog/USB Camera-Mount Shotgun Microphone. You won't have to buy any additional adapters, regardless of whether you're hooking the mic up to a camera or smartphone, as it includes a 3.5mm TRRS output in addition to USB support. In terms of versatility, it's one of the more popular options on the market.
Podcasts
Let's say you're working on a video podcast. One of the challenges you might face is figuring out how not to obstruct your speakers with a bunch of clunky gear in their faces. It makes the room look messy, and it can also take the focus away from the subjects. A shotgun mic that's carefully placed overhead and off camera can be remedy this, picking up clean sound and facilitating a clutter free environment.
The only problem with shotgun mics for podcasting is that if you're recording in a small, non-acoustically treated room (one with lots of reverb), longer shotgun mics may make the dialogue sound a little weird or "phasey." In those situations, a short shotgun mic is a better fit. Even still, sometimes a short shotgun mic may not reject enough off-axis sound coming from wall reflections.
Professional Film and TV Recording
If you're looking for a highly versatile shotgun mic that can be used for professional film and TV recording, the Sennheiser MKH 416-P48U3 Moisture-Resistant Shotgun Microphone is an excellent choice. It's a longer shotgun mic with super sharp directivity, low nose, and strong output.
It's a popular choice for recording sources that are further away from the camera or in noisy locations that might be too challenging for a short shotgun mic to handle. The moisture-resistant design also makes it ideal for outdoor recording.
Nature Recording and Sporting Events
If you're looking to record more than just dialogue, the Sennheiser MKH-8070 is an ideal option. It has a ridiculous level of directivity that allows this mic to perform well in even the most challenging environmental conditions. For example, if you're at a noisy sporting event, the MKH-8070 should clearly pick up the nuances of the scene, like the bounce of a basketball.
Alternatively, if you're looking to record nature sounds such as the sound of a bird chirping above, the MKH-8070 can do that too.
Shotgun Mics and Small Rooms
While shotgun mics work perfectly well in many indoor environments, many sound professionals advise against using them in small rooms, especially rooms that are untreated. Given the way the interference tube works on a shotgun mic, reflections in a small untreated room have the danger of making the sound unnatural.
If you're working in a small acoustic space that isn't quite "dead," some sound professionals may suggest a different recording approach. If you're looking for a mic that's good for recording dialogue in an challenging indoor environment, you could always go for the uber-famous and pricey Schoeps CM641 Supercardioid Microphone Set.
For more information about the featured shotgun microphones, including additional features, specs, and highlights, be sure to check out our detailed product pages. Or drop us a line below, and we'll do our best to answer all your comments and questions.
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