What Is a Shotgun Microphone? 

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In regards to it's use in Film/TV, the benefit of a shotgun mic over a lavalier mic is that it provides a close mic from the perspective of the camera. Because the shotgun is typically riding the top of the frame, a close up shot will provide an intimate sound, with minimal room sound, while a wide shot will provide more room sound. Lavaliers, in comparison, always provide a close mic sound with minimal room sound/reverb. More often in TV (but sometimes in Film), you can hear when an editor switches between lav and shotgun mics. If during a dialogue sequence, the dialogue suddenly switches from a roomy sound, to a close, in the middle of your head sound, that usually indicates that they had to switch to a lav recording fix something, or replace dialogue. Often this will be hidden by changing camera angles to hide audio from an alternate take, or recorded later via ADR. Now of course, the sound mixer will treat the lav audio with room tone (most often recorded via the shotgun mic, for each camera setup), so it's not jarring, but if you listen close, you can hear the difference.

Mitch, what have you not covered?!?! Every video from guitars, pedals, mics... You are the guy! Sweetwater's pride and joy, Love it!

Always good information at Sweetwater, thanks

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Signature mic from one of my favorite musicians, Dallon Weekes

great stuff: thank you!

Nice info ¿what about indoors usage? some people says you should not use indoors because reverberation waves will afect on axis sound tone even worst than any pencil cardioid or hypercardioid mic. what is your opinion

I just got a MK416 from you guys.

All American citizens have the right to own a shotgun microphone for their gear box. 2A Forever and uninfringed audio.

Wonderful informative presentation but Please a little SLOWER !

They sounds dangerous…should probably ban them.