Audio-Technica AT897 Line + Gradient Shotgun Condenser Microphone

Great mic, I wanted a microphone I could use in Zoom, Teams, and Discord without it being in the view of my webcam. This worked perfectly and offers great sound quality!

I swapped out my keyboard for a quieter keyboard.I tweaked OBS settings, my Rhode microphone orientation, etc..Computer mice are almost universally clicky. I couldn't find a quiet one.I was still getting mouse clicks, keyboard clicks, and my household AC/Heater fan noise.This microphone was the last thing I did/purchased to deliver clean recording audio and boy did it deliver!I now have 2 of these for recording stuff with a friend on OBS and my audio editing for voice is down to *nothing*.I still get the occasional mouse mouse and keyboard click, but it's not prominent and is, as best as I can describe it, a background noise - muffled.With all the tuning in my environment, this microphone was probably the easiest to implement as it immediately reduces anything not directly in front of the mic to background noise- to the point where I don't even mind hearing the occasional mouse or keyboard click. Plus, I sound *really* good. :)

Probably a five star microphone actually. I'm really happy. The only reason I gave it four stars is I don't have enough experience to compare it to the other options. It's not small, but not really very big either.I bought this and the Azden Universal Shock-mount Shotgun Microphone Holder ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EW1LLG/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00 ) with the GLS Audio 25 foot Mic Cable Patch Cords - XLR Male to XLR Female Black Microphone Cables - 25' Balanced Mike Snake Cord - Single ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JJQMD8/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i01 ) to capture cleaner interview vocals in a loud environment at the some time as getting the full sound on the H4n. No complaints, except that I should have bought two for full stereo input on the second set of channels. The case is nice, the recording level is good, the signal is clean. It takes a little more input gain (record level) than the normal onboard mic's but it's not problematic at all. If you want to mod the case foam, you can fit a couple more very small items in there, which I may do when I decide exactly what I'm going to be using regularly.In the case is a battery, the mic, the foam wind muff (not really effective for outdoors, you will need a good Dead Cat or similar), the mic stand holder, and a 5/8" to 3/8" threaded adapter. They all have their own little spot in the foam, so I take the battery out every time, for longer life.The Azden mic holder came with extra rubber gaskets (nice) and it holds the AT897 mic perfectly on the camera hot shoe. if your XLR cable is really light, or it doesn't exert too much force (don't let it hang freely without some kind of support), then it stay's nicely centered, and secure.

Clean, true sound. Great at reducing surrounding ambient noise, other than in front, of course.Excellent build and finish. All metal, yet very lightweight. Made in Japan.Comes in a nice case; way too big though. (Obviously one size case for all the longer shotgun mics)The nice thing is, you can cut out the foam in the extra space and put other small accessories and store it in the case.Even the mic stand adapter is quality construction.The supplied wind screen helps cut down moderate wind or close breathing noises but you will still need a deadcat or zepplin: For me, it is quite useful as a protective cushion for the mic more than a wind diffuser.In the similar price range: I have also used a few Rode shotgun mics and I think this AT has a slightly "cleaner, crisper" sound pickup than the Rodes, although not as sensitive at picking up sounds from far away, in comparison.In the higher price range: I have used Sennheiser and Sony, and to be honest, I don't notice much difference in audio quality or sensitivity with those that are 2X-3X more the price!Then again, I am not recording anything critical or scientific. Just human voices and ambient sounds.Listening through AT and Panasonic studio headphones on a Zoom H4.

I picked this mic up a few years back and I am very happy with it.Sound quality is clear, clean with good bass. This type of mic needs to be pointed at your subject, so it's best that said subject is stationary or you have a boom operator to keep the mic positioned around your audio source.I have mine connected directly to my Canon Vixia HFS200 through a 3.5mm audio input jack. Since this mic uses an XLR cable you will have to use a converter to do this.I use:+ The "Pearstone LMT100 - Low to High Impedance Matching Transformer (1.5')", which you can get here on Amazon.+ I also use a "GLS Audio 25 foot Mic Cable Patch Cords" for the XLR connection (also available here on Amazon).In this configuration you will also need to supply Phantom Power via a single AA battery that you install in the mic.If you are interested in hearing how this mic performs I put together this quick video:https://youtu.be/JFe7sALz2Js

Edit: Changing my rating from 1 star to 3 stars. You need to purchase a separate remote audio recorder to use with the mic. If you try and plug it into the DSLR directly, it's unusable.This mic has twice as much background hiss than my in camera mic (Canon 90d). Complete waste of money.

I used this for the first time and I was blown away by the caliber of quality and precision this mic provides. Let me say that Audio Technica not only values professionalism, but quality as well. The mic came in it's on leather-like case with interior foam. A mic clip, battery, and adapter were included with the mic. The sound quality is tremendous! It is very accurate at picking up exactly what's in front of it. The cancellation was great and I was listening as to the effectiveness of it. As a production manager for my Men's group, I will continue to use this mic above the rest from now on.