With the rise of popularity of interviews among content creators, the need for shotgun mics for the interviews has been shooting up as well. It can often be a little bewildering, you may struggle to figure out which shotgun mic is the right fit, why it is so and what are the requirements you need to consider. The versatility of the shotgun mics make them useful for such purposes.
Are you confused about what exactly shotgun mics are? Well, in simple language, they are merely the ‘on-camera’ microphones which remain clipped on to your camera so as to keep the mic out of the video frame. They usually have super cardioid pickup pattern, which make them perfect for getting rid of background interferences.
Buying Guide
In order to facilitate this journey of finding the right fit for you in the topic of the shotgun mics for interviews, we have jot down a few aspects that might be worth considering before making your purchase.
Size
It is important that you consider only mics that are specifically designed to serve as shotgun mics for interviews, suited to cameras. These mics have to be compact enough to match with your camera in terms of proportionality and size. Otherwise, you can expect to struggle with the portability and handling of these mics. Before purchasing the mic, take a moment to check if their size is suited for use in your frequent shooting conditions.
Built-In Audio Recorders
Usually, if you are looking for a shotgun mic that should pick up the smallest details in the audio, you must choose one that comes with a pre-equipped audio recorder. This integrated recorder should come with most bit rates. This will allow you to pick maximum details from the sound.
Attenuation Adjustments
The switch that allows to adjust attenuation is important for us to be able to reduce the output level of the microphone to a specific level (mostly between -10dB and -20dB). This helps the microphone to be up to 16 times less loud than usual. Usually the louder the sound is from the source, the quieter you will prefer the mic to be. You do not want to be disturbed during an important broadcast of an interview.
Best Shotgun Mics for Interviews
Considering all the different aforementioned aspects, we have scoured the market and narrowed down the list of best shotgun mics for the interviews to the top 4.
| Product Name | Features | Price | Check On Amazon |
| Rode VideoMic Pro |
|
$200-$250 | Check the Price |
| Sennheiser MKE 440 |
|
$100-$300 | Check the Price |
| Takstar SGC-598 |
|
$30-$50 | Check the Price |
| Rode NTG3 |
|
$$$ | Check the Price |
1. Rode VideoMic Pro
This one is our champion, especially if you are going to interview using a DSLR. It is extremely easy to setup and handle, and is compatible with almost all mirrorless cameras. All you need is a 9V battery to get started. It also comes with a integrated shoe mount that you can connect to your camera and avoid noise and external vibrations.
Pros:
- Self-powered condenser mic
- Adjustable volume controls
- Shoe mount helps to remove unwanted noise
Cons:
- The included windscreen is not known to be much effective
- Might be too bulky
2. Sennheiser MKE 440
This is another very compact, yet high-end shotgun mic which comes with a shoe mount and input for external mic. It has an all-metal built and helps to reduce the highest level of noise from the sides. The shock mount also helps to remove noise, which keeping the mic secure and protected. Generating a stereo audio, the mic is able to allow sensitivity adjustments. The fur windshield also helps against external turbulences.
Pros:
- Useful protection against wind
- Compact, all metal design
- Great capture patterns
Cons:
- No indicator of power
3. Takstar SGC-598
The Takstar is one of the best budget shotgun mics out there which is perfect for audio recordings in several kinds of occasions starting from interviews to photography. It has a heart-shaped single-point polar pickup character which helps to eradicate background noise. It comes with super sensitive condenser and enhances the recording quality of the audio.
Pros:
- Pickup pattern is single point, heart shaped
- Battery life: 100 hours
- Shock resistant design- removes mechanical noise from around
Cons:
- Does not come with the battery
4. Rode NTG-3
The Rode NTG-3 is one of the most lightweight condenser mics out there, highly suited for professional interviews due to its rich response to frequencies, high sensitivity, noise cancellation features and transparency enhancement for the audios.
Pros:
- All metal built, highly durable
- RF rejection, less noise, less interferences
- Very lightweight, increased portability
Cons:
- Not the best ergonomic built
- Pretty expensive
Final Words
We have given our verdict on the best shotgun mics for the interviews, considering the aspects in relation frequency response, pickup patterns, quality delivery and the best value of money. The list consists of options from under $100 to above $500. It is your job now to choose what syncs most with your preferences.
You may also like to read: Best Shotgun Mics under $100.
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