A friend of mine who is in news broadcasting suggested that I purchase a shotgun mic for my video camera. I haven't any experience with them, because I have a smaller / interview "stick" model from Sony. I appreciate his efforts & info, but he's in a league completely different.

Anyone ever use Sennheiser's for their video work? He ranks their quality as one of the best on the pro market, despite their pricey-ness. Money isn't really an object when I find something that I'm interested in, but I want to see what others think about this particular line of mics, or even the use of shotgun mics in general?

I have used them for recording live music.

My opinion is that if it feels solid to you then use it. Brand names are not so important. A shogun mic shouldn't be an issue for you id the mic on your camera is any good.


From what I have used stock mics on cameras are pretty good and I doubt you will notice a difference with an external shotgun mic. But if you have one give it a try and post about it.

What do you need a shotgun mic for? Are you actually producing a show?

Ask your sound mixer tag along with you to a rental house. Explain what kind of show you are working on and request some advise. Mostly rental houses will let you test drive the equipment and with a sound mixer tagging along he should be able to give you good reviews about the kwality. I'm guessing if your working on a show you need to go to a rental house anyway.

Also wouldn't be a bad idea to contact this guy. Tell him you have absolutely no idea how to capture that sweet sound and whether he can give you any pointers.

That's too much like rocket science, Loop. This guy just wants video production with more frills than 1-man can handle. I've tried to emphasize the fact that I'm not a fuckin' corporation, just a 1-man show. Based on his previous luck, he's been doing the shows himself, and just wants to contract someone else for the job this time.

I haven't used a Sennheiser shotgun mic but their other mics are great. Tough as shit too.

Well, I'm not really an audio expert and don't know about the size of the venue and where you'll be setup. I do know from experience expensive gear doesn't really compliment an already kitchen sink production.

I agree 100%, Loop. But like the PC questions, I don't mind spending the $$, because it's my gear to be used freelance. Stuff to learn with, without having to replace at a later date due to upgrading.

The Sennheiser suggestion came from a friend who works in television. He doesn't really know much about low-end stuff, because his line of business doesn't usually worry about buying cheap shit apparently. He's been very helpful, but like the video editing questions, somewhat worthless because the equipment he's dealing with is broadcast quality - not so much pro-am looking to score a gig stuff.

Sennheiser makes great mics and the best RF systems out there. The real question is if you need a shotgun over a cardioid or an omni. Do some homework on microphone polar patterns and practical applications and see if you want a shotgun mic.
A good analogy for polar patterns of mics is firearms. Do you want to be a sniper, a close range handgun, or a sawed off shotgun. (ironic that in this case "shotgun" means the opposite of the audio term)

Indeed I have FB, and I actually own a small Sony Omni stick mic, which I purchased with the camera at my TV buddy's advice. It wasn't expensive, and it works great. Very "hide away" in my bag, too.

The shotguns were being looked at, because I'll be shooting at a live event, where the focus of shooting could be 25-40' away at times, and I want to zero in on the sound from that distance without being drowned out by the crowd. I understand the difference between Omni & Shotgun to an extent, but the "cardoid" part throw me off.

The Sennheiser linked to earlier is a cardoid short shotgun condenser. That's alot of terminology for a newb, but it left me with the impression that this will handle a wide array of what I need, without being so catch-all that I sacrifice too much of one for the other? I'm told that it could also double, albeit awkwardly perhaps, as a good interview mic.

I'm not necessarily looking for broadcast quality, that's WAY out of my league, I just want something looking halfway professional. When I have an assignment, I have to give my all, or I won't bother taking it.

Hmmmm, I wonder who might have occasion to hire a free-lance video producer in Fort Wayne Indiana who's vertically integrated so noone else needs to assist in post-production (see the evidence).

My money is on a spate of snuff films coming out of Fort Wayne in the next few months, followed by the disappearance of a squeaky-voiced blond porn actress.

Ranathan, what odds do I get?

Hey Lou, give Grizz his prize now.