Azden SGM-X - Supercardioid Shotgun Condenser Microphone with Mini Output for DV Cams

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

This microphone is great and very powerful. I used it for a chorus during a rehearsal and had to turn it down in the camera settings because I was too close and it distorted. When used at the distance that is recommended it is some of the best sound you will hear. Definately a great purchase!

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

It sounds much better than the internal headphone (obviously) and is unobtrusive and works well.

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

This is my second purchase for the SGM-X shotgun microphone. It just works so I'll continue using it. My only regret is that it don't have a noticeable on & off switch.

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

This is a great mic - unbelievable, it picks up voices from quite a distance away and it does it very well. [...] If you're looking for an excellent shotgun mic, look no further - this is it.

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

We use the SGM-X Mic for our small church documentaries and other events. We are very pleased with the SGM-X Mic considering the price and the personal funds we can put in our projects. This mic does the best job for the money.

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

Much better audio and directionality than any built-in camcorder mic, but since this is one of the least expensive mics out there, don't expect the audio to be spectacular.

Keep in mind this is a mono mic, so this is best for recording speech/dialogue.

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

With a small buget or just for fun this mic is great for the job. Light weight and easy to install no special training needed to use. Great quality in and outdoors.

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

I use this mic with students in a school who produce short films and do event video taping. While the mic does work much better than the in-camera mic for excluding ambient noise and picking up the sound of the subject, you should not expect miracles. The mic has improved sound quality in our productions, but the sound is not perfect--I hear ambient noises. I am worried, also, about the flimsy on-off switch. It looks like something a clumsy student might break. And I don't think I would allow students to change the battery--it's a delicate operation.

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

The built-in mics on camcorders and your computer are stereo. This is only mono, so you will lose a lot of depth and L to R differences if this is your only mic. (I made the mistake of using it to record music, thinking it was stereo! Flat and same signal on right and left. Same thing if you use it directly into your computer, not stereo.)

Great inexpensive mic but might not be best for live recording.

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

I went out filming for a short movie the day after I got this mic and I didn't know what to expect. Considering the price, I thought this mic would just be decent, but I was happily suprised. The mic picked up audio from yards away while at the same time tuning out the load sounds around it. The only somewhat annoying thing is the on/off switch but it's not a big deal. Bottom line- this is a great product with a great price so don't pass it up.

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

I myself am a freelance DOP and shoot short films, live events, and things of that nature. I use the Sony FX1, the onboard mic is good but picks up to general a sound. for example a group sitting down at a table you would hear the noise of the chairs over the voices etc. so I decided to invest in a shot-gun mic to improve the quality of sound on my projects.

After shopping around I discovered this was the cheapest option and already had some good reviews. It is a solid design, good sturdy structure. The shock shoe mount is a bit basic, and the lock ring is cheap plastic. For me the worst feature is not having an on light, I just wasted a whole battery by leaving the mic on all weekend. something to keep your eye on.

Otherwise this is the perfect mic for the bottom end pro/semi pro user, good direct sound and a decent build quilty. I think for the price this is a great piece of kit.

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

I use AZDEN SGM-X mono mic for center channel pickup which I plug into my Cascde Audio VIVE Mic.Surround Sound system for my Canon HV30. I have tested the Azden pickup of my voice and is good at 100', but @ 130' start losing quality, but still very clear when no noise outside. Both mics are mounted to an L Bracket([@]). Since both mics are extremely sensitive, NO noise is picked up from the camcorder with this inexpensive remote L bracket mounting. I tuck the mini cable of SGM-X into the mics opening on mount and plug into the VIVE mic external 1/8" jack. If you control the volume on your camcorder,the pick up of a voice 25' away at a party with all the surround sound noise in your other channels, the center channel on play back sounds great . My Azden SGM_X is nicely lightweight and came with a windscreen & battery. Azden supplies a nice cushioned pouch where both mics are stored. The SGM-X has a great look to it. With the above setup I can plug just the SGM-X mic. directly into my Canon HV30 for pickup of just lecturers / speakers with very little side noise. A very reasonable center channel mic which is very sensitive. Love it so far...even the 23" mini to mini cable that came with the mic I have remotely held the SGM-X when camcorder is on tripod and did narration with still good surround sound while narating. e.g. autoracing. How about listening to a squirrel 20' away actually hearing it chew sunflower seeds - bird wing flutter sounds is just great.

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

The mic itself it quite good. It is very sensitive. I recently used it to record my daughter's soccer game and I could hear the sounds of kicks to the ball, which I didn't even notice with my own ears when filming it. Background noises of the parents yelling, were not as pronounced(as with the built-in camcorder mic), so the directional capabilities of the mic are quite good.

Expertise: Amateur

Problems Encountered: The camera mount (made of metal with plastic clips for the mic) will transmit vibration from the tape drive motor and produce a very noticeable humming sound on the audio track. I would recommend ordering a shock mount made to mount on the camera shoe to isolate the mic from the motor noise.

Items I Recommend: Shock/vibration mount with camera shoe mount (like the Rode SM3)

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

I have used this mic for a couple of years and I am very pleased with it, it performs well considering it is at the lower end of the price range. I use it in prosumer work, both on an old analog camcorder and a newer digital camcorder. I like it because it lets me record presentations (historical society lectures, etc.) without having to use a wireless mic. It also helps when doing Q&A sessions -- no mic to pass around.

Problems Encountered: The power switch is so small it's easy to forget to turn off the mic after use, but that's true with any device.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: Rented other shotgun mics

Comments about Azden SGM-X - Shotgun Mic for DV Cams:

this mic is OK. the main thing that is wrong is that it picks up ALOT of extra noise that should just be canceled out. also, i bought a gl2 so i decide to try out this mic on it. if your really quiet while recording and zoom in the mic will pick up that mechanical noise. kinda cool i guess but not what i need.

Problems Encountered: the on/off switch is sunken in to the mic so if you have big fingers it will be hard to turn it on. also, remembering to turn it on is easily forgettable because the on/off switch is in a weird place.

Previous Equivalent Items Owned: None

Items I Recommend: comes with everything you need