Sennheiser - MKE 600

Do you have a budget or other needs? Something like the 416 is a classic for location sound and other models like the 600 can be a nice budget alternative. I’d get a blimp or other wind protection if using in an area with much wind and a boom pole to allow best placement. Placement is really key for getting the best audio.

Great comments hear about why the MKE 600 is an awesome mic. The only reason to *maybe* not get one is if its too long and you need a more compact setup. if that's the case the Rode NTG5 is shorter and also sounds great, but its phantom power only and cannot take batteries.

MKE600 Is great but reeeally long

I run and gun with an Audio-Technica AT875R Shotgun Condenser Mic. Shorter and lighter than a Sennheiser MKE600 which is also a great option besides the form factor.

Filmmaker and instructor here: Shotgun Mic: Sennheiser MKE 600. Yes the 416 is better, but also costs a ton more. \*Beware of deals on the 416. There are knockoffs out there. If someone is selling, require paperwork. Field Recorder: Zoom F3. Quality 32-bit float. Easy to use. If you don't have a boom operator: K&M 25530 Boom Arm & 20800 stand. Don't forget a windshield (Auray works) and I use Mogami Gold XLR. Hasn't failed me. I would not send sound into camera. Too restrictive. And for shoots without a dedicated sound mixer, you need 32-bit float. Don't forget a good set of cans to hear what the mic hears—someone needs to pay attention to that or stuff can happen that you will not know until it's too late. These Sony are accurate: MDR-7506

In a roundabout way, yes, you just need to use a usb audio interface which provides phantom power to the mic. There's lots. USB mics are universally bottom of the barrel selections, since anyone serious will be using either an audio interface or a field recorder or a console. If you have a battery you don't really need the usb, since there's a ton of other connectors to choose from like supplying 3.5v PiP via 3.5mm TRS or something. For your needs you're probably best off just getting a shotgun that fits a battery. The Sennheiser MKE600 is a decent option. Or a phantom power supply. There are some out there that take either a 9v battery or AAs.

I have the MKE600 and I like the sound. I also have the Rode Pro and had an H4e recorder and other mics. Even at this level, the recording on the Rode Transmitters are likely going to be the bottleneck. 32 bit float doesn't mean good quality, tonal range , SnR or noise floor, only that the file fits a huge latitude of information and won't clip easily. Tbh although the improvement is audible, I think even the H4e caps the system. I'm doing some tests this weekend with an audio interface into Reaper to attest this, as the quality should be comparable to higher end recorders like the F6 or Tascam X8 and higher (but needs laptop and it's not as easy as plug and record). If it proves my idea, I might be getting a Tascam FR-AV2 as recorder. The Rode still has it's place, to transmit scratch audio to the camera and maybe monitoring purposes (as the recorder stays in the boom mic tripod or in talent with lav). For monitoring I'm using the HDJ-CX, since I have a part-time as a DJ and it suits both uses. Similar option to the Sennheiser HD25, but I like some design choices better, although for monitoring out and about only, I'd probably pick the Sennheiser.

I’ve had some issues with the rode wireless pro into my fx3 and I’ve seen others have the same interference issues. The audio top handle solved all my problems. But when plugged direct into the body it took a while to get it sounding good. Unless you’re using the audio top handle, make sure to do plenty of tests. After some testing I found mounting it on the cage and using a longer shielded cable worked fine. Also turned off the Bluetooth in the fx3. I use the deity w.lav pro and the countryman B3 lavs and both sound good. The b3 is quieter so if you know you’ll have loud action I’d go for that. For very loud sounds (shouting or very loud stage performers) they make a reduced sensitivity version as well but I have the standard version. For a shotgun, it depends if you plan to hardwire or if you plan to use the wireless pro? The rode wireless pro doesn’t provide 48v phantom power so you’ll need to solve that problem somehow. When wireless booming I’ve used the Sennheiser MKE 600 because it has the AA battery slot to power it. It then works well with the rode wireless pro. If you plan to hardwire the shotgun and plug into the Sony audio top handle, k3m module or (preferably) a proper recorder/mixer all of which can provide p48 then I’d say search for a used MKH 416, a DPA 2017, or go with the Rode NTG3.

I have no regrets on my MKE600. And once OP builds out a bit more audio gear it'll serve well on a boom off-camera for a separate audio unit capture + post audio sync workflow.

All I can say is you won’t regret the MK 600 sound wise(: Also You can use it without phantom power , by powering it with a battery. And if it ever ever starts to hum, there is a screw in the microphone that you can tighten that fixes that problem. Also for the cleaner look get one really short low profile XLR cable. I use one on camera and one for booming

What sort of treatment do you have on your mic? The foam windscreen should make a difference, the dead [insert animal here] covers generally do better. Granted, despite the label, the Rode consumer microphones aren't really true shotgun mics, but you have to add another zero at the end of the price tag to get something like a Sennheiser MKE that really does the job.