05Feb Nady SGM-12, still the cheapest usable shotgun mic on the market
For the price the Nady SGM-12 shotgun microphone is still one of the best values on the market. At $30 it could be described with buzzwords like “adequate”, “acceptable”, and “usable”. The audio from the Nady SGM-12 isn’t particularly impressive, but it is very usable for a $30 microphone.
Over the years i’ve managed to mangle or destroy several Nady SGM-12 microphones and every time I do, I order a replacement. It doesn’t require phantom power, it provides a hot signal, and the switchable microphone pattern is handy. If you’d like to download some more audio samples of the Nady SGM-12 you can find them here and here.
If you are looking for an extremely clear microphone that does an amazing job of reproducing the human voice, you might want to look elsewhere. On the other hand if you are looking for a useable, ultra low budget shotgun microphone that provides acceptable audio, the Nady SGM-12 is a good place to start.
On a side note, Nady was the first company to offer this microphone roughly 7 or 8 years ago. Since then, they’ve started producing it for other companies under various names and they are usually sold at higher prices. If it looks like the Nady SGM-12, but has a different model and brand name on it, you are most likely looking at a Nady SGM-12.
February 5th, 2014 at 12:03 pm
Eeeeh… sounded a bit too muddy/stuffy to me.
Like you were talking inside a small box or something. 😛
Regardless, the price is still pretty awesome!
February 5th, 2014 at 12:07 pm
Adequate, but not amazing, still better than a onboard dslr camera microphone. The price is what really makes it a value.
February 6th, 2014 at 4:51 am
I have the EM320-E condenser shotgun mic from ebay, and when I use it with my DR-40 I get helicopter noise. Would this mic produce the same noise?
February 6th, 2014 at 6:11 am
A few people have run into that problem with other microphones used on the DR-40. I believe the “helicopter” noise is a problem with some DR-40. Unfortunately, no one has ever gotten back to me with a solution.
February 6th, 2014 at 9:44 am
I bought the DR-40 and have the “helicopter” problem. This happens when you don’t use proffesional balanced microphones, for example, when used with the Audio-Technica ATR3350. Try the DR-40 with a pro mic like Sennheiser MKE 2 or something like that, crystal audio.
For that reason returned the tascam and bought the H4n.
February 6th, 2014 at 9:50 am
I wonder if converting the microphone from XLR to 1/4 would solve the problem. If the 1/4 is designed to accept an unbalanced that might eliminate the “helicopter” noise.
February 6th, 2014 at 12:50 pm
Nope, I tested with the audiotehcnica ATR3350 (1/4 jack) and had the helicopter issue. I’d managed to work with the Audiotechnica, but don’t remember the procedure. Maybe converting 1/4 unbalanced cable to XLR balanced cable can work.
In short, unbalanced = fail with the DR-40
February 6th, 2014 at 1:55 pm
Thanks for the heads up.
February 10th, 2014 at 9:06 pm
yeah sounded a bit muddy to me too, but the price is great.
I’m debating between the AT897 and Rode NTG-2. Anyone experience any issues with them into DR-40? Or can give a reason to go with one or the other?
I think I recall getting helecopter trying my Rode Stereo Videomic into the DR-40. Rode just should have locked all their mikes at +20db. I’ll have to try it again.
Just picked up a Juicedlink RM333 and plan to use it with any mic or recorder.
February 11th, 2014 at 7:17 am
The Helicopter noise has been confirmed to be caused by using an unbalanced microphone with the DR-40’s balanced inputs. It appears the Zoom h4n was designed to for balanced and unbalanced inputs but the DR-40 was not. Both the AT897 and NTG-2 have balanced outputs, the SGM-12 does not.