Is a Shotgun Mic a Condenser Mic? Clearing Up the Confusion

Shotgun microphone is often referred to as a tube microphone. Comprising a narrow, long interference tube, it is deemed as the go-to option to get excellent audio quality. This is particularly the case when it is used for video production.

But you probably already know that. If you are here, that’s probably because you want to know its true nature: condenser or dynamic. 

Let’s get right to it.

Is A Shotgun Mic A Condenser Mic?

No, a shotgun mic is not always a condenser mic. That said, many shotgun mics are condenser microphones. Some shotgun mics are built using the condenser technology. However, that is not the case with every shotgun mic. 

A shotgun microphone can be dynamic or condenser in nature, depending on its intended use and design. Any mic can be either condenser or dynamic, that’s basically its nature aka its operating principle.

Digging Deeper into the Basic Natures of Mics

A mic’s nature refers to its basic operating principle which determines how that mic changes sound waves in the form of electrical signals. Based on the operating principle, there are two main kinds of microphones: dynamic and condenser mics.

Quick Insight into the Functioning of Condenser Microphones

Condenser mics function by utilizing an electrically charged fixed backplate and diaphragm in the microphone capsule. Any time a sound wave crashes on the diaphragm, it starts to vibrate. The vibrations alter the distance between the backplate.

The change in distance affects the mic’s capacitance. As a result, the corresponding voltage alters. The mic changes the voltage into electrical signals.

Typically, condenser mics need external power sources for their operation. This power source is commonly referred to as ‘phantom power’, and helps in maintaining the electric charge’s flow across the diaphragm.

Quick Insight into the Functioning of Dynamic Microphones

Dynamic mics function on the principle of electromagnetic induction. They consist of a diaphragm pegged to a wire’s coil. Also referred to as ‘voice coil’, this coil hangs in a magnetic field.

As soon as a sound wave touches the diaphragm, it trembles. The pulsating diaphragm makes the voice coil vibrate within the magnetic field. Consequently, an electrical current sparks off that serves as the mic’s output signal.

A dynamic microphone doesn’t need any external power source as it uses a mechanical process to generate its electrical signal.

So whether a mic is condenser or dynamic depends entirely on its operating principle. Microphones that operate using electromagnetic induction are dynamic, and those that work on varying capacitance between an electrically charged diaphragm and backplate are condenser in nature.

With that bit covered, let’s return to the shotgun microphones, and understand their condenser and dynamic types better.

Shotgun Microphone- Its Types and Uses

A shotgun or tube microphone can have a condenser or dynamic nature. A similarity between these two types is the semi-transparent interference tube lying in front of the microphone capsule that imparts it with higher directivity.

Now let’s discuss the two types and their use cases.

Condenser Tube Mics

The condenser tube mics are best known for their unique sensitivity that allows them to capture sound clearly. Plus, they are also effective in picking up an audio signal over a long distance. Possessing many beneficial features, they are often the ideal choice of content creators, musicians and broadcasters.

Characteristics of Shotgun Condenser Mics

• High sensitivity: A shotgun condenser microphone has unparalleled sensitivity that enables them to capture the faintest and tiniest of sounds with utmost clarity. 
• Directional focus: It has a very narrow pickup pattern which means it is cardioid when it comes to sound capture. It captures sound precisely from the particular direction it is pointed in.
• Sound isolation: Due to its directional focus, it effectively isolates the intended sound source. Isolating the sound source also helps it minimize ambient sounds and rejects off axis sound such as background noise.
• Wide frequency response: Their frequency response is quite wide which enables them to pick up quite a broad frequency range.
• Require phantom power: Most of these mics need phantom power. Audio interfaces, external power sources and mixers are usually used for this purpose.

Due to these characteristics and its low self noise, a shotgun condenser microphone finds application in various scenarios.

Uses Cases for a Shotgun Condenser Microphone

• Journalism and broadcasting: Condenser tube mics are popularly used in journalism and broadcasting for field reporting, live events and interviews. Their directional focus and sensitivity makes them invaluable to capture pristine audio in a dynamic environment.
• Location sound and field recording: Their ability to pick up high-fidelity audio makes them suitable for field recording in soundscapes and documentaries.
• Nature and wildlife recording: Condenser tube mics are often employed to capture distant sounds in nature and wildlife recording. They excel in capturing immersive and detailed audios including animal noises, bird calls, rain sound and environmental noise. 
• Video and film production: These microphones reject off axis sounds and focus entirely on the desired sound sources. As a result, they are preferred in video and film production to capture ambient noise on sets, sound effects and dialogues.

In essence, a shotgun condenser microphone is a versatile tool for wide-ranging recording applications. Some good quality condenser tube mics include Sennheiser MKH 416, Rode NTG3 and Audio Technica AT897.

Dynamic Tube Mics

Dynamic tube microphones are highly versatile and reliable in nature. Since they don’t need electrically charged diaphragms to operate, they are suitable in a high-pressure sound environment. Let’s take a look at their prominent characteristics.

• Highly durable: They are constructed to withstand harsh and rugged conditions. As they can easily survive the rigors of outdoor and live recording environments, they are often used for field and outdoor recording.
• Handle high SPL: As they work on the principle of electromagnetic induction, they produce their own electrical signals. This feature allows them to handle quite high sound pressure levels (SPL) without any damage or distortion in the audio.
• Slightly lower sensitivity: Generally, a dynamic mic is less sensitive than a condenser microphone. So a shotgun dynamic mic too has lower sensitivity as compared to its condenser counterpart. This restricts their capacity to capture minute sound nuances. But at the same time, it makes them way less susceptible to capture unnecessary ambient noise which makes them great to record in noisy environments.
• Wide frequency response: They capture wide-ranging frequencies which is why they are excellent for recording diverse audio sources.
• Directionality: Their pickup pattern is highly directional which enables them to accurately capture sound from whatever direction they are pointed in. High directionality also makes them powerful at sound isolation and noise cancellation.

All these characteristics make shotgun dynamic mics perfect for certain recording applications. Let’s take a look at them.

Use Cases for Dynamic Shotgun Mics

• Wildlife and field recording: Dynamic tube mics have a directional pickup pattern and rugged construction. Both these capabilities make them perfect for sound recording in challenging and remote outdoor environments. Content creators often use them to record environmental sounds and wildlife calls.
• Live performances: These mics are impeccable at isolating the desired sound source. This is why they are often used to capture instruments, vocals, and different sound sources in life performances.
• ENG and broadcasting: Shotgun dynamic mics authentically capture speech which makes them ideal for news reporting, electronic news gathering (ENG), documentary filmmaking, and broadcasting. 
• Voice recording and podcasting: Their focused pickup pattern makes them excellent at capturing spoken words clearly. As a result, they often find applications in studio recording, podcasting and voice over work.

The rugged build, durable nature, and directional focus make dynamic tube mics excellent for various diverse recording applications. Some popular and good quality dynamic tube mics with high quality audio include Shure SM63, Sennheiser MD 46 and Shure VP83F LensHopper.

Final Thoughts

A shotgun microphone can be dynamic or condenser in nature as that depends entirely on its operating principle. Whether you should get a dynamic or condenser variant of a shotgun microphone depends entirely on your recording needs and applications.

Frequently Asked Questions