5.1-Channel Surround Microphone SM-V1 Settings

[ashleyberner]

I own an 5.1-Channel Surround Microphone SM-V1. I am using it with a Canon VIXIA HF G40. I am unable to find an in-depth description of the different directional settings... zoom and shotgun. Can you please explain exactly what these two settings are, and what situations they should be used for? Thank you.

[Richard · Accepted solution]

Hi Ashleyberner,

Thank you for posting.

When using the "Zoom" setting, the focus of the microphone is linked to the zoom position of the lens.

The "Shotgun" setting is is a highly directional setting. When using this setting, your camcorder's microphone is most sensitive to sound coming from the front of the camcorder.

[robertrx]

so is shotgun more directional than zoom with the lens zoomed in? Doesn't zoom pick up only from the front, or only shotgun?

[Hazel_T]

Hi robertx,

Both options are picking up the sound in front of the microphone. The shotgun settings is more general setting and zoom the sound range to match the zoom of the lens. If you just want to generally pick up sound in front of the microphone the shotgun setting is the one to use. If you want to have it more specifically narrowed down to the area you've zoomed in on the zoom option is the one to select.

[robertrx]

I don't think I get this. The front of the camcorder is 180 degrees out of 360.  A  highly directional setting would seem to be narrower than 180 degrees. Is highly directional more select than just front or back?