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Three basics about shotgun mic for DSLR

Audio quality is of great importance for video production. Utilizing a shotgun mic for DSLR is a fast and simple method to improve the sound quality. It can not only be mounted on your camera but also attached to boom pole or tripod to stay close to the talents. Today we will make a basic introduction to its features, design, and audio performance. You can get to know it and broaden your options when shopping for recording equipment.

Features - DSLR shotgun mic is distinguished by high directionality

Shotgun microphone distinguishes from other types by its high directionality. It is more directional, which means that it focuses on the on-axis sounds or captures target sounds from the direction that it is pointed to and blocks ambient sounds from the sides and rear. It is typically used to record sound sources that is in the distance or cannot be miked closely.

Besides that, DSLR camera shotgun mic usually features high sensitivity and low self noise. Self-noise is the sound presented to the audio path by the circuitry of the mics. As aforementioned, it is usually utilized when recording resources at a range. This usually indicates attempting to get a low-level signal, which is why a best shotgun mic for DSLR filmmaking requires to have a greater level of sensitivity than others developed to get close sound sources. Because the soft audio will certainly require to be magnified to a functional signal level, making use of a microphone with high self-noise to catch really silent audios will certainly result in distinct hiss. As a result, low self noise is always required.

Design - Interference tube works to offer directionality and differs in length

SYNCO D30 budget shotgun mic for DSLR adopts short shotgun barrel and comes with a shock mount in the package.

A long, hollow, and slotted interference tube is affixed to the front of the DSLR shotgun microphone.

In general, the interference tube is designed into three kinds of length. Longer interference tubes suppress most off-axis sound, but are also more difficult to use due to their length. It is very sensitive to placing and has a demand for a fixed mic position and sound source or a skilled boom operator, as moving the mic even slightly off-axis can cause the source to decay. So it is a good choice to use the shotgun mic for DSLR to record very distant sounds or utilize it in noisy environments.

Medium shotguns perform well for booming and sound pickup in most situations. Short shotgun mic for DSLR is not as directional as their longer counterparts, but is often helpful in situations where length must be kept as short as possible; it still suppresses off-axis high frequencies better than supercardioid mics.

How do shotgun mics for DSLR cameras work to realize the directionality? The idea is that the desired on-axis sound travels directly down the length of the tube to the capsule diaphragm unobstructed, however the undesirable off-axis sound must pass through the entry side slot to the diaphragm.

Considering that this undesirable noise will certainly get in several slots, and the ranges from those slots to the diaphragm differ, the off-axis noise will certainly come to the diaphragm with a different phase relationship and thus partially cancel each other out. As a result, off-axis sound is undermined relative to on-axis sound, resulting in a narrower forward-pointing pickup pattern than with a simple hypercardioid microphone alone.

Audio performance - Good shotgun mic for DSLR plays a role in noisy environments

Boom mic for DSLR is able to offer clear sounds even you are shooting in noisy surroundings. The benefit is they concentrate directly on the audio sources ahead and also capture the audio with high gain, while picking up any type of various other sounds existing in the atmosphere really reduced, if whatsoever, that might be sideways or back. This is beneficial due to the fact that it can capture the audio just that the creators wishes, straight ahead, while neglecting any type of undesirable noises that might exist. 

You can watch the video of SYNCO D1 DSLR shotgun mic reviews created by
Oma Ghomrawi to get a deep understanding of the audio performance.

Shotgun microphones are extremely made use of in applications where just the sound straight in front of the microphone is to be videotaped so that all various other sounds will certainly be decreased as well as the audio resource is in a set setting, straight in front of the shotgun microphone, as well as does not relocate a lot.

Conclusion

There is no doubt that shotgun mic gains much popularity among video production. It performs well in capturing target sounds, allowing you to finish filmmaking smoothly. We hope this article would clear your confusion about using shotgun mic for DSLR and helps in your audio.

FAQs

Q: Shotgun mic vs lavalier: What’s the difference?

A: Lavalier mics are ideal for wide-angle lenses and filmmakers who like to continuously change filming locations. It is omnidirectional or has a cardioid polar pattern which is great for different audio needs. It rejects any off-axis noise and isolates ambient sounds from close-up individuals at the same time. Omnidirectional microphones give an all-natural audio while permitting you get free placing.

Using shotgun mic for DSLR video is optimal for scenarios where there is a lot of background noise. For example, you can use the shotgun mic for marching band to record the performance in a large area. It enables the user to concentrate on a specific location of sound while stopping any kind of off-axis sound. So you don't need to spend hours on post production. In addition, the tight polar pattern is proved to be appropriate for recording distant audio.

Q: When do I not use a shotgun microphone?

A: If you want to record more than one sound in your video, a shotgun mic is not recommended.