Shotgun Microphones
Directional microphones that focus on what's in front of the camera whilst rejecting background noise. Essential for documentary-style family filming.
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Why Choose a Shotgun Microphone?
Shotgun microphones excel at rejecting off-axis sound - meaning they focus on what's directly in front of them whilst minimising room echo, background chatter, and unwanted noise.
Mounted on your camera or boom pole, a shotgun mic captures better audio than built-in camera microphones, especially for candid family moments where you can't mic individuals.
How to Get the Best Results
Understanding Pickup Patterns
Shotgun mics have a 'super-cardioid' pattern - they hear best from directly in front, with reduced sensitivity to the sides and rear. Point the mic at your subject's mouth, not their forehead.
Camera-Mounted Position
Mount the shotgun in your camera's hot shoe, angled slightly downward toward the subject. Keep talent within 1-2 metres for best results. Further away and you'll hear too much room echo.
Boom Pole Technique
When using a boom pole, position the mic just out of frame, pointing down at a 45° angle toward the speaker's mouth. This is how professional film crews do it - closer proximity means better sound.
Indoor vs Outdoor Use
Indoors, a bare shotgun mic works well in treated spaces. Outdoors, ALWAYS use a blimp windshield and dead cat - even light wind will create unusable rumble without protection.
Our Recommended Microphones
Rode VideoMic GO II
~$125-180No batteries needed (USB-C powered), lightweight, simple. Perfect starter shotgun for camera mounting. Rode quality at an accessible price.
Check Price Affiliate linkRode VideoMic NTG
~$250-380Studio-quality sound, highly directional, rechargeable battery. Our top recommendation for serious family filmmakers. Broadcast quality without broadcast prices.
Check Price Affiliate linkDeity V-Mic D4 Duo
~$250-380Dual-capsule design captures both shotgun and wide stereo. Great for filming events where you want to capture ambient atmosphere along with dialogue.
Check Price Affiliate linkSennheiser MKE 600
~$380-500Professional broadcast standard, excellent off-axis rejection, phantom-powered or battery. The mic used by documentary filmmakers worldwide.
Check Price Affiliate linkPro Tips
- Invest in a good shock mount - camera handling noise transfers directly through cheap mounts
- For camera mounting: closer subjects = better sound. Don't expect miracles at 5+ metres
- A boom operator (even a family member) will always get better sound than camera-mounted
- Use headphones whilst recording - you can't fix bad audio in post