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Shotgun Microphones

EXTEND YOUR REACH—IN MONO, STEREO OR SURROUND

Few audio pros are familiar with the name Harry Olson (1901-1982), but he left an indelible mark on the science of audio. A lifelong researcher at RCA, his many accomplishments include co-developing RCA’s ribbon microphones (such as the famed 44 and 77 models), the RCA Music Synthesizer in 1958 and a 1941 patent for a directional microphone for long-distance pickup of sounds for film, video, broadcast and sound reinforcement. Olson’s design was somewhat crude, comprising a circular bundle of pipes of varying length placed in front of several mic elements. However, the concept laid the foundation for line microphones, now commonly referred to as shotgun mics.

This polar pattern from an Audio-Technica BP4071L shotgun mic demonstrates how directionality increases at higher frequencies.

Various incarnations of ultradirectional mics followed, eventually becoming the shotgun mics we know today. Essentially, these involve a long tube — acoustical transmission line — placed in front of an omnidirectional mic element. Put very simply, on-axis sounds enter this column relatively unscathed, while side/rear-emanating, off-axis sounds entering through slots along the side of the tube are out of phase with the front signal and are canceled out.

A Touch of Reality, Please

At least that’s how shotgun mics would work in a perfect world. The reality is that like all directional microphones, these units are more directional at higher frequencies and far less so at lower frequencies. And generally, mics with longer interference tubes provide greater directionality at low frequencies. But longer isn’t necessarily better. A longer unit may provide more “reach,” but an excessively long mic may prove unwieldly for overhead miking from a boom in cramped quarters, such as low-ceiling locations. Likewise, weight may also be an issue — a few extra ounces may quickly seem like pounds for an operator handholding a boom or fishpole for extended periods.

Neumann RSM 19LI

These days, all professional shotgun microphones are condenser models, as dynamic designs began falling out of popularity some years ago. But with the near-universal availability of 48VDC phantom powering, condenser models are the norm. Some pro shotguns also offer the option of being phantom- or battery-operated, which adds versatility, but the onboard battery compartment increases the mic’s size and weight.

Options and Add-Ons

Features found on some shotgun mics include -10dB pads (great for those loud dialog sessions) and various offerings in highpass (low-cut) filters. The latter provide a means of tailoring the mic’s response for the situation, especially in boomy environments or for voice-only or dialog applications. Speaking of LF problems, nearly all pro shotguns ship with a foam windscreen, which is essential in any outdoor setting, and numerous companies (OEM and third-party) offer fur-style and basket-type windscreens that provide even greater protection against wind-borne noise.

Whether the shotgun mic is handheld, or boom/camera/stand-mounted, another essential accessory is some kind of shock-mount to absorb mechanical vibrations and handling noise. Again, these are available from both OEM and third-party suppliers, and as most shotgun bodies are about 20 mm in diameter, most mounting products are nearly universal. One useful bit I keep in my camera kit is Audio-Technica’s AT8459 swivel-mount mic clamp, which lets me easily aim a shotgun mic in any direction, even when it is camera-mounted. This is ideal in situations where, for example, it’s necessary to keep a camera pointed toward a podium while the mic is kept on-axis to a P.A. speaker that’s off to the side. Another inexpensive item is a mic cable with a 90-degree XLR-F connector at the mic end, which reduces the overall mic length when it’s boom- or camera-mounted.

And particularly useful for location work, a plug-on wireless transmitter can convert your shotgun into an RF mic, thus eliminating the cable limitations.

Choice, Choices, Choices

In researching the pro shotgun microphone market, we encountered more than 50 entries (listed on the following page), with models to suit nearly any application or budget. Among these were seven stereo shotguns and one model with five discrete outputs for surround work. And if you’re in the market for a new shotgun mic (or several), this month’s NAB may provide a good opportunity to do a little shopping. After all, you can never have too many mics.

George Petersen is the executive editor of Mix.

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