There are many different ways to record an interview: outside or inside, sitting or standing, planned or spur-of-the-moment, video or audio-only, and likely more that I haven’t thought of.
Each scenario will excel with a certain type of microphone and for planned interviews, people will commonly use a shotgun mic combined with a lavalier mic as a backup.
You will find the sections below highlighting handheld mics, shotgun mics, lavalier mics, and other accessories you may need. You’ll also find wireless options where it makes sense.
Handheld Interview Microphones
You’ll find handheld interview microphones with different pickup patterns, usually omnidirectional and cardioid. Omnidirectional mics pick up sound from all directions so they make it easier for both parties to speak into one mic, but they are more susceptible to picking up background noise.
These are all dynamic mics and won’t need a battery or phantom power – you can just plug them in and start recording.
These are commonly used with portable digital recorders or field recorders.
Rode Reporter
Electro-Voice RE50/B
The Electro-Voice RE50/B is another omnidirectional dynamic interview microphone. It has an internal shock mount and is made extremely durable. There is also the Electro-Voice RE50N/D-B model for higher output levels and it only costs a little bit more than the standard model.
Sennheiser MD 46
Beyerdynamic M58
Electro-Voice 635NDB
Audio-Technica AT8004L
Shure VP64A
Handheld Interview Mic Accessories
Rode RODELink Newsshooter Kit
Want to turn any of those handheld interview mics listed above wireless? The Rode RODELink Newsshooter Kit is the easiest way to do it. You can plug the receiver directly into a camera or into a digital recorder. It pairs quickly, has great range, and is really easy to use. Highly recommended!
Rode i-XLR
Shotgun Interview Microphones
To be clear, you can use mics from the “on-camera” section on a boom or mic stand, and vice-versa, but on-camera mics usually connect to a video camera with a TRS jack and boom shotgun mics use XLR connections.
Boom Shotgun Mics
Sennheiser MKH416
This shotgun mic is widely used in professional film and broadcast settings and is meant to excel in noisier environments. It is perfect for human speech like a sit-down interview or voiceover work. Check out some of the bundles here as you can get some great deals.
Rode NTG4 Plus
It comes with a built-in rechargeable lithium battery so you can power it without 48V phantom power, switchable 75Hz High Pass Filter and -10dB pad, high-frequency boost, and of course excellent broadcast-quality recordings.
The controls are easy to access but indented so you don’t accidentally press them, the battery lasts a really long time, and it looks great too.
Audio-Technica AT4053B
Shotgun mics tend to pick up sound reflections when used indoors and can sound “echo-y”. The Audio-Technica AT4053B is a hypercardioid microphone (not shotgun) that naturally reduces sound from the sides and rear and will sound great indoors.
Another cool thing about this mic is that you can change the mic capsule to have different pickup patterns. Besides the hypercardioid capsule, you can also get a cardioid and omnidirectional.
Shotgun Mic Accessories
Gator Frameworks Tripod Microphone Stand with Boom Arm (ID Series)
The Gator Frameworks ID Series is where it’s at when it comes to microphone and speaker stands. Grab the ID Series Gator Frameworks Tripod Microphone Stand with Boom Arm and you won’t regret it.
Rode PG2-R Pistol Grip Shock Mount
Shotgun mics are susceptible to handling noise so you’ll definitely want a shock mount. The Rode PG2-R works handheld or attached to a boom pole and has adjustable mounting positions for the shock mount. It also comes with built-in cable management clips. This is an excellent accessory you’ll want to add to your kit. Combine it with the PG2-R Pro Cable for further strain relief.
They also offer the SM4-R if you don’t want the handheld portion (it attaches to thread mounts) and the SM3-R for cold shoe mounts.
Rode WS6 & WS7 Shotgun Microphone Windscreens
Stops wind noise. Must-have for outdoor use. The Rode WS6 fits microphones 6 1/4″ in length or less like the Rode NTG1 and NTG2. The Rode WS7 is designed for the NTG3 but will fit shotgun mics from any brand up to 7 1/4″.
Rode Blimp
The Rode Blimp is the ultimate shotgun mic accessory. It is a windshield and pistol grip shock mount system all in one. The shock mounts have unlimited placement options, and it also comes with the DeadWombat furry windshield and XLR extension cable, making this a great all-in-one package.
On-Camera Shotgun Mics
We have an article dedicated to the best on-camera shotgun mics you should check out if that’s what you’re interested in, so we’ll just highlight a couple of our favorites here:
Rode VideoMic Pro+
Shure VP83F LensHopper
Lavalier Interview Microphones
We also have an extensive post on lavalier mics, so you’ll just find our favorite lav mics here:
Sony ECM77B
Rode smartLav+
Audio-Technica ATR3350iS
Rode RodeLink Filmmaker Kit
The Rode RodeLink Filmmaker Kit is my favorite option here. It’s wireless and can be used directly into a camera or used with a digital recorder or field recorder. You get an excellent high-quality lavalier microphone included in the kit, which makes the price more than worth it.