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This guide will help you find the best deal and choose the best shotgun Mic for your setup and budget. Shotgun microphones are versatile tools that can be used to record natural, focused sound for movies and TV, field recordings, sports and live events, vlogs, or voice-overs. Their narrow pickup pattern rejects noise from the sides and, to some extent, the back, keeping the focus on your subject.
The best shotgun mics are small and light enough to be attached to a camera or carried around all day on a boom pole. They are also often made to be strong enough to handle the rough and tumble life of location recording. There are a lot of different mics out there, so here’s a quick list of some of the best shotgun mics for filmmaking to help you find one that fits your needs.
Best Shotgun Mics Comparison Table
| Microphone Model | Frequency Response | Max Input Sound Level | Dynamic Range | Dimensions | Weight | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rode VideoMic Go II | 20Hz – 20kHz | 120dB SPL | 96dB | 79 x 73 x 167mm | 73g | $99.00 |
| Sennheiser MKE 600 | 20Hz – 20kHz | 132dB SPL | 104dB | 256 x 20mm | 128g | $329.95 |
| Rode VideoMic Pro | 20Hz – 20kHz | 134dB SPL | 82dB | 150 x 95 x 170mm | 85g | $249.00 |
| Sennheiser MKH 416 | 40Hz – 20kHz | 130dB SPL | 117dB | 250 x 19mm | 175g | $999.00 |
| Rode NTG3B | 40Hz – 20kHz | 130dB SPL | 117dB | 255 x 19mm | 163g | $899.00 |
| Audio Technica AT897 Mic | 20Hz – 20kHz | 129dB SPL | 109dB | 279 x 21mm | 145g | $279.00 |
| Shure VP83F LensHopper | 50Hz – 20kHz | 120dB SPL | 96dB | 101 x 57 x 177mm | 133g | $349.00 |
| Audio-Technica AT 875 R | 90Hz – 20kHz | 127dB SPL | 100dB | 175 x 21mm | 79g | $169.00 |
Rode VideoMic Go II
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Acoustic Principle | Line Gradient |
| Active Electronics | JFET impedance converter |
| Polar Pattern | Supercardioid |
| Frequency Range | 50 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity | -35.0dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (17.80mV @ 94 dB SPL) ±2 dB @ 1kHz |
| Output Connector | 3.5mm TRS |
| Weight | 73g |
Rode makes a wide range of audio gear for video, from low-end gear for hobbyists to high-end gear for broadcasting. The VideoMic Go II is one of the cheaper options. It can be attached to a hotshoe and has a good shock mount to cut down on handling noise. It gets its power from the camera’s mic jack, so it doesn’t need a battery.
It also doesn’t have any switches to change the output level or the polar pattern. This means that you can just plug it in, set the level of recording, and start shooting. It comes with a foam windscreen to cut down on wind noise, but you can also buy a “dead cat” WS12 windjammer for an extra $25/£20 if it’s windy.
The Good
- Small and easy to carry
- There’s no battery needed
- Affordable price point
The Bad
- In noisy places, it may pick up some background noise.
- Not good enough for a professional recording.
Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Microphone
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Transducer Principle | Super-cardioid/lobar |
| Frequency Response | 40 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity | -21dBV/Pa (35mV/Pa) |
| Maximum SPL | 132 dB SPL |
| Output Impedance | 200 Ohms |
| Weight | 128 g |
The MKE 600 is the best microphone for a video camera or camcorder. It can handle even the toughest film challenges. Due to its high directivity, the MKE 600 picks up sounds coming from the direction the digital camera is pointing.
This reduces noise coming from the sides and back, and the “Low Cut” filter, which can be turned on or off, also reduces noise from the wind. The MKE 600 can also run on a battery. A switch that turns the battery on or off keeps it from dying too soon; “Low Batt” is shown.
The Good
- High directivity for capturing sound in specific places
- Low-cut filter, which cuts down on low-frequency noise
- Shock-mount to cut down on noise from handling
The Bad
- Needs a battery to work; more expensive than other choices on the market
Rode VideoMic Pro
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Acoustic Principle | Line Gradient |
| Active Electronics | JFET impedance converter |
| Polar Pattern | Supercardioid |
| Frequency Range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity | -32.0dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (25.00mV @ 94 dB SPL) ± 2 dB @ 1kHz |
| Output Connector | 3.5mm TRS |
| Weight | 116g |
The Rode VideoMic Pro is a bit bigger and heavier than the Rode VideoMic Go. This hotshoe shotgun mic is about the same size and shape, but it has extra features for people who want more recording options and better quality. Even though it is suspended on a shockmount like the Go, it has a place for a 9V battery that can power it for about 70 hours.
On the back, there are two switches that can be used to customize performance. These switches change the output gain (-10, 0, or +20 dB) or let you choose between a flat response or one that cuts low frequencies. The sound quality is great, with rich tonality from 40Hz to 20KHz and a flat response from speech frequencies all the way up to 20KHz.
The Good
- High-quality audio recording for making videos
- The design is small and light.
- Runs on batteries and has a long battery life
The Bad
- In noisy places, it may pick up some background noise.
- Some users say there are problems with the way it was made
Sennheiser MKH 416
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Transducer Principle | RF Condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Super-cardioid/lobar |
| Frequency Response | 40 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity | -32dBV/Pa (25mV/Pa) |
| Maximum SPL | 130 dB SPL |
| Output Impedance | 25 Ohms |
| Weight | 175 g |
The top-of-the-line MKH 416 shotgun mic from the German company doesn’t let them down. This professional-grade piece of equipment has a wide frequency response from 40 to 20,000 Hz and a hyper-cardioid polar pattern at low to mid frequencies that does a great job of rejecting off-axis sounds while focusing on the dialogue and other mid-frequency sources.
The shotgun works well indoors, outdoors, and in a variety of other places because it has an RF condenser that is resistant to water. Because the MKH 416 is small and light, it’s easy to mount it on a boom pole without making it harder to move or making the operator tired.
The Good
- Excellent off-axis noise rejection
- Good enough for professional recording
- Durable and rugged design
The Bad
- Expensive price point
- needs “phantom power” to work.
Rode NTG3B
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Acoustic Principle | Line Gradient |
| Active Electronics | RF-bias condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Supercardioid |
| Frequency Range | 40 Hz to 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity | -30.0dB re 1 Volt/Pascal (31.6mV @ 94 dB SPL) ±2 dB @ 1kHz |
| Output Connector | 3-pin XLR |
| Weight | 163g |
The NTG3B is a good way to get started with high-quality microphones. But many pro and semi-pro filmmakers, documentarians, broadcast journalists, podcasters, and in-house audio-video teams use it as their last stop because it has a wide, natural frequency response from 40 to 20,000 Hz and is well made.
It has great off-axis rejection, and its RF condenser technology protects it from moderate amounts of moisture. It’s not quite as sensitive or directional as our top pick, the Sennheiser MKH 416, but it’s usually about $300 cheaper and comes with a handy metal case, which is often worth the trade-off for all but the most demanding users.
The Good
- Excellent clarity and sound quality
- Rugged and long-lasting design for use outside
- High sensitivity to pick up even the quietest sounds
The Bad
- needs “phantom power” to work.
- More expensive than other choices on the market
Audio Technica AT897 Mic
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Element | Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Line + gradient |
| Frequency Response | 20-20,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | -40 dB (10.0 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa |
| Maximum SPL | 129 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D. |
| Output Connector | 3-pin XLR |
| Weight | 145 g |
The Audio Technica AT897 is great for professional wildlife recording and broadcasting, as well as making movies, TV shows, and videos. Because it can pick up sounds from far away, the sound quality is smooth and natural. You can change its low-cut filter to better block out noise you don’t want.
The design of the AT897 speaks for itself. It has a strange polar pattern that the company calls “line and gradient.” Line is the tube, and the gradient is the rear rejection. It can handle frequencies from 20 to 20,000 Hz. You can also use an AA battery to power this microphone.
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The Good
- High sensitivity and low self-noise for high-quality sound
- Narrow polar pattern for capturing sound in a specific area
- For portability, the design is light and small.
The Bad
- needs “phantom power” to work.
- Not good for recording in places with a lot of noise.
Shure VP83F LensHopper Shotgun Microphone
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Transducer Type | Electret Condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Supercardioid/Lobar |
| Frequency Response | 50 to 20,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | -35 dBV/Pa (17.8 mV) |
| Maximum SPL | 129 dB SPL |
| Output Connector | 3.5 mm (1/8″) stereo mini-jack |
| Weight | 133 g |
The Shure VP83F LensHopper is built to last, sounds like real life, and is easy to use. This small shotgun microphone looks good and works well. It’s fast and easy to use in almost any setting because it has an easy-to-understand menu and a one-button recording function with a windscreen.
You can record directly to an SD card inside the camera, which gives you an extra layer of security. It can record up to 24-bit/48kHz quality and send audio to your camera at the same time. Two AA batteries can power the P83F for up to 10 hours. The range of frequencies is 50 Hz to 20 kHz.
The Good
- Excellent directionality and a narrow polar pattern for picking up sound.
- Built-in shock mount to cut down on handling noise
- Includes a number of useful features, such as a backlit LCD screen and a flash recording function on board.
The Bad
- battery-powered, but the battery life isn’t very long
- More expensive than other options on the market
Audio-Technica AT 875 R
| Specification | |
|---|---|
| Element | Fixed-charge back plate, permanently polarized condenser |
| Polar Pattern | Line + gradient |
| Frequency Response | 90-20,000 Hz |
| Sensitivity | -30 dB (31.6 mV) re 1V at 1 Pa |
| Maximum SPL | 127 dB SPL, 1 kHz at 1% T.H.D. |
| Output Connector | 3-pin XLR |
| Weight | 80 g |
The Audio-Technica AT875R short shotgun microphone works well for low-budget indie movies, TV shoots, nature recordings, and documentary projects that put a high value on simplicity and high-quality sound.
With a balanced 3-pin XLR output and support for 11 to 52 VDC phantom powering, the AT875R can be used with a wide range of handheld audio recorders, area recorders, mixer adapters, and built-in preamps on many camcorders and cinema cameras.
The Good
- For portability, the design is small and light.
- High sensitivity and low self-noise for high-quality sound
- Narrow polar pattern for capturing sound in a specific area
The Bad
- needs “phantom power” to work.
- Not good for recording in places with a lot of noise.
FAQs
Are shotgun mics good for dialogue?
When used correctly, both shotgun mics and lavaliers, which are also called “lapel mics,” can record good sound. Both are great for talking, making vlogs, and doing interviews.
Are shotgun mics good for field recording?
To keep the subject in the narrow “sweet spot” with a long shotgun, you either need a fixed mic or a skilled boom operator. Long shotgun mics are the best way to record sounds from far away or in loud places.
Is a shotgun mic good for vocals?
No, a shotgun is not good for voice-over, which is usually recorded in a small, “dead” room. The interference tube, which gives the shotgun its ability to be pointed in a certain direction by canceling out phase, will have strange effects in a small room.
How do I choose a shotgun mic?
Most shotgun mics do a good job of picking up on-axis sound, but to find the best one, you should look for one with low self-noise, high sensitivity, a natural on-axis sound, and even off-axis rejection. This will make sure that the sound is good all around.