My Favorite Shotgun Microphones Ranked

In this episode I rank my favorite shotgun microphones in different price categories - under $300, $300 - $500, $500 - $1000, and $1000+. This is based on my experience and is totally SUBJECTIVE. Let’s talk it through!

See the detailed reviews of the microphones we cover here:

DPA 4017b

Sennheiser MKH416

DPA 2017

RODE NTG3

Azden SGM 3500L

RODE NTG5

DEITY S-Mic 2

Sennheiser MKE 600

Rycote HC 15

DEITY S-Mic 2S

Azden SGM250H

Sony ECM-674

Azden SGM 3500

RODE NTG4+

Audio Technica AT 875R

RODE NTG2

MOVO X3 II

Godox VDS M3

Here’s a table with all of the microphones ranked and my notes.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest courses cover Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini and an Intro to Izotope RX.

Support my work creating videos by donating at Ko-Fi.com.

Gear used or mentioned in this episode (the links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases):

- DPA 4017b

- Sennheiser MKH416

- DPA 2017

- RODE NTG3

- Azden SGM 3500L

- RODE NTG5

- DEITY S-Mic 2

- Sennheiser MKE 600

- Rycote HC 15

- DEITY S-Mic 2S

- Azden SGM250H

- Sony ECM-674

- Azden SGM 3500

- RODE NTG4+

- Audio Technica AT 875R

- RODE NTG2

- MOVO X3 II

- Godox VDS M3

- Sound Devices MixPre audio field recorders

The outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “Dynamo” by Virgil Arles. Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself.

Copyright 2025, Curtis Judd

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