Audio Technica AT875R Budget Short Shotgun Microphone Review

In this episode, we have a look at and listen to the Audio Technica AT875R short shotgun microphone. This small, lightweight shotgun microphone looks like it was originally designed to be used on professional camcorders, but also works really well as a boom microphone for tighter budget productions and films. In this review, we provide some raw audio samples along with the same samples recorded on the classic Sennheiser MKH416. We also look at its self-noise performance, off-axis response and coloration, as well as other important factors.

If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses at https://school.learnlightandsound.com including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders. Our latest course is Sound for Live Streaming with the ATEM Mini.

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Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, DVEStore, or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:

- Audio Technica AT875R Short Shotgun Microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/1zFDS5
- Sennheiser MKH416 shotgun microphone - B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/AVgsgHZ
- Sound Devices 888 field recorder - B&H, Sweetwater https://geni.us/zAryW4J
- Sound Devices MixPre field recorders - B&H, Sweetwater, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/O8e0
- Aputure COB120d II for the key light - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/deg3
- Aputure Nova P300C for the b-roll - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store https://geni.us/TFVUy
- Amaran 100D for the background light - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/A3HByXB
- Aputure Spotlight Mount for the pattern on the back wall - Aputure, B&H, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/kfAj
- Blackmagic Design Pocket Cinema Camera 6K - B&H, DVE Store, Amazon https://geni.us/uK8UqB
- Signa EF 24-70 f/2.8 DG OS ART lens - B&H, Amazon https://geni.us/bhOWVlW

The intro and outro music for this episode is from Musicbed - “For the Kids” by Utah. Get the best music for your videos at Musicbed: http://share.mscbd.fm/curtisjudd

Copyright 2021, Curtis Judd

#AudioTechnica #AT875R #Microphone

Index:
00:00 Start
00:13 Summary
00:23 Introduction
00:49 Raw Audio Samples
01:56 Polar Pattern
02:19 Polar pattern & off-axis samples
04:58 Practical noise floor sample
05:37 Handling noise
05:57 Use a shock mount
06:39 Phantom power
06:51 Included accessories
07:18 Price & warranty
07:32 Sibilance
08:09 Directionality vs MKH416
08:30 Wrap-up
09:00 Please buy my courses