Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

For the money, this is a great shotgun. You have to keep your levels down on your camcorder (I use setting 50 out of 100) because if you push the input level too high, it will show off the shortcomings of the microphone (bottom will start to hum and the high end will start to crackle).

However, if you learn how to use this mic in the "cardiod" setting, you can get near CNN quality location sound.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

For the price, it's a very good deal. The shotgun is a nice black, and has a vinyl case that you wouldn't expect for a shotgun mic at the low end.

I found the xlr plug very tight to plug in (a little too tight) so I'm hoping it will loosen up a bit over time.

The shotgun has 3 positions: OFF, CARDIOD, and SUPERCARDIOD. Cardiod seems to be the best setting if your recording people up to about 15 feet away from the mike. Supercardiod is very sensitive, probably best suited for picking off bird sounds at 30 yards.

You have to set levels when using this mic. I set my camcorder to volume level 50 for the cardiod (out of 100) and 25 for supercardiod.

If the input is coming in too hot, it tends to accentuate the low end to the point that your audio wouldn't be all that usable. However, if you set the input levels the audio is probably a little better than you'd expect for a shotgun at this price range.

My guess is that if your a pro or semi-pro, or plan to use a shotgun often, then you'd probably be better off stepping up to a better shotgun mic.

However, if your use is quite occassional, or your trying to get some "in close" sound on a budget, and know how to set your levels, then your certainly going to do fine with this mic.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

It's an awesome mic for the price, it does its job really well and it has a clear sound and I love the off - cardiod - supercardiod swith. The only thing I find troubling is the battery, I can't get the mic to work with a rechargeable one...

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

I use this mic to pick up back round sound and works real well i also use it when i do interveiws.
The price is great the sound quality is great and i like that it runs on a AA battery easy to replace.
It shouldnt be used as a main mic.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

I use this mic to get ambient sound when I am using a lavalier mic. Usually during interviews or speeches or those kinds of things. I didn't trust it to be my main mic, but it is perfect for my needs - especially for the price. I've only used it a few times, but it has been great so far.As noted elsewhere, the hyper cardioid setting is useless ... too much noise. But the cardioid setting works just fine. And for [$] you can't beat it.Given the wide range of reviews here I figure that the quality control on these mics is lacking, so some may come out junky and others work just fine. I took a risk and mine works fine so far.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

church chior

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

Like most bargain shotgun mics, the cardioid didn't work. But, the super cardioid works excellent. I had the mic around 8 feet away and picked up every sounds the speaker made. Overall, for the price, its well worth it.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

Live production on hi-hat cymbals. Great clarity, the 2 way switch works great. Very tight pickup pattern. For the price, great.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

Unit is not suitable as a child's toy. Loud hiss. Popping. Cardiod does not work. Horrible.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

The Cardiod setting does not work, only the hypercardiod which of course picks up more unwanted noise, I even connected it to my sound board and it was no good. I guess you get what you pay for.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

I'm a filmmaker and videographer. Bought this mic to use for our videography events and to attach to the boom pole for our film productions based on other reviews it got on BH.

I attached the mic to XLR inputs on my camera and just recorded room tone to gauge how the mic handled background and mic signal noise; the audio sounded like I was standing in a wind tunnel and I was just standing in my noiseless office. Returned item to BH and bought a used Rode NTG-1. Night and Day difference.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

This is a perfect option for getting shotgun mic for DSLR at minimum cost. It functions way better than built in mic which can aim where is sound source to pickup.

However, the package lack of 2 items in order to work with DSLR. A mic hold with hot shoe adapter and also a female XLR to male 3.5mm jack.

The package contain was not describe completely and i thought it is only come with a mic and a battery only but a windshield is also included in the package. That's also cause me purchase an expensive windshield which i can save up.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

I tested the mic as soon as I got it. It worked fine for what I am using it for, which is, for filming an independent film. It picks up good quality audio for theatrical purposes. I do use it for music so I don't know about it's use there. I have had no problem with it, but I did buy a good quality 25' XLR cable and camera jack.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

This is a really basic shotgun mic but it is perfect for an amateur filmmaker. I use it with my camcorder and anything is better then the in-camera mic. It doesn't come with a cable but that's the only negative, it's a good mic so far.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

Bought a pair to use for shooting a play. They work great!

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

With my years of providing portable sound systems for bands and acoustic performances, I have always relied on performance vocal and instrumental mics. But when I had to provide a system for a chorale competition, this mic proved to be a serious player with the big boys! High quality and almost natural output. I have six of these and two pricey brands in my arsenal. This is a must have!!!!! Cheers!

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

Collect money and buy audio-tehnica, senheisser or rode.This model of nady have a lot of noise and poor sound.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

For the money, this is one of the best mics I've ever purchased. It features a solid build, two pickup patterns, xlr inputs and a wind screen. I've found that it has very little inherent noise and good canceling qualities. I've worked with better mics but they've also cost many times more. If your looking for a good bargain shotgun mic, this is the one.

Comments about Nady SGM-12 Shotgun Electret Condenser Microphone:

I decided to
try this mic because of it's incrdably low price and because it had no reviews posted. My logic was that if it was junk I wasn't out much; to my shock and awe the first time I used this mic I couldn't beleive it's performace for the cost. This mic performs as well as those costing ten times as much. My first project with this mic was an indie short and it exceeded my expectations and needs. To start with it has very solid construction, metal case, recessed solid feel switch, and 3 pin XLR out. All of which are trademarks of a superior product. When I heard the sound in post my thought was that this mic does for sound what HD does for optics.

The SGM-12 is a relatively heavy mic, and it uses a AA 1.5VDC battery, so it does add a little weight to the already heavy HMC 70 (especially if you add a wide angle lens and light). The switch allows you to choose between cardiod and super-cardiod, and I have not yet discovered it's range limitation.

It does reject 80-90% of off axis sounds. For instance it will pick up the sound of an F-16 at low altitude overhead,but so will anything. The SGM-12 is a shotgun mic and so no, it's not really versitile in that it will not do the job for every mic on the set. It does it's job and it does it very well.