How to Use a Shotgun Mic? Master It To Record Better!

A shotgun microphone is a directional and narrow instrument tube pointed directly towards the sound source for recording the audio properly. They are also known as interface tube microphones as they permit the sound coming from the front of the microphone to pass through the tube. 

There are slits designed on the tubes to block the sounds coming from the other directions to allow a cancellation effect for clear and high-quality audio. 

This kind of mic is named shotgun because the mic’s body is like the gun’s barrel. Like a shotgun, the mic must be aimed directly at the sound source to pick it up and get a clearer effect. 

Many people may worry that they are not getting perfect sound despite using the best shotgun mic; the reason is that they do not use it the right way. So here we will tell you how to use a shotgun mic that will result in crystal clear sound recording.

There are some tips and tricks to using the shotgun mic properly to get the optimum result. These are as follows:

Wear Headphones

Using headphones while recording with a shotgun mic is a great way to check the audio’s result right after the shot. You can pick up radio waves or other environmental noises by wearing headphones to see how the mic picks up the sounds.

Set the Right Levels

Setting the right level when using the mic is imperative to avoid noise disruptions while recording the audio. We recommend setting the level of the mic approximately to -12dB. It might sound quiet during the recording, but this will allow the sound to vary during dialogue delivery or expression changes. 

Proximity

Getting the mic close to the sound source is imperative when using a shotgun mic. The closer the mic is directed toward the sound source, the higher the chance of the other sounds will minimize. If the mic is far away from the sound source, it won’t pick up the required sound correctly. If the shooting is indoors and the mic is far away, the sound will bounce off the other surfaces and disrupt the audio.  

Position Correctly

It is essential to use the shotgun mic correctly to get high-quality audio sound and allow a noise cancellation effect for the surrounding. The perfect sound will come from placing the shotgun mic a few feet from the sound source. It lets the sound travel directly into the mic and gives crisp and sharp audio. This setting is applicable for almost all recordings; however, it is slightly different for ASMR recordings.

Minimize Sound Reflection

If you use the shotgun mic indoors, it is essential to take care of a few things to get the best of the mic. When using the mic indoors, it is necessary not to point the mic toward a hardwood surface or bricks. They reflect the sound and reduce the shotgun mic’s efficacy. If the mic is positioned on any of these surfaces will cause more noise disruption. 

Padding the Room

There is a higher chance of reverb if there are hard surfaces around the room. Sound doesn’t reflect from soft furniture or surfaces, so it is better to add soft furnishings or paddings to avoid sound reflection and noise disruption in the recording.

Placement

It is imminent to place the mic directly above the source sound to pick it up. It is crucial to get a correct placement to effectively use it as it is a directly positioned instrument. 

Conclusion

The shotgun mic is a directional instrument used to record audio by emphasizing the required sound. It is crucial to place the mic correctly to avoid sound reverb. There are specific tips and tricks to use the shotgun mic effectively and get the most out of the mic, and now you know it. If you still face any problems using the shotgun mic, write back to us in the comments section, and we will surely solve your query.