Stereo & mono microphone with killer features for videography

Although similar in many ways to the most popular on-camera microphones (ex. the Rode VideoMic Pro), the Azden SMX-30 has one killer feature that I wish every microphone would copy.
More info: tomantosfilms....
Also, this video mic allows you to switch between Mono (directional) and Stereo recording modes
You can get the Azden SMX-30 Stereo-/Mono-Switchable Video Microphone on:
B&H goo.gl/HRFNpq
Adorama goo.gl/LRbNaW
eBay goo.gl/LrwwyK
Amazon amzn.to/2zhEa1F
Amazon.ca amzn.to/2z24JXW
Amazon UK amzn.to/2xAFsrs
Amazon.de amzn.to/2i5uFP0
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My name is Tom Antos. I am a film director and cinematographer with over 20 years experience in VFX & animation.
Jak się masz?! I'm originally from Poland ;)
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[@lsdustyrhodes]

I've had this mic for over a year. I highly recommend it. Quite low noise, -10, 0, and +20 dB gain settings; very clean and accurate sound reproduction. Shotgun capsule has good side sound rejection, and good reach. Stereo capsule great for picking up ambient sound. Great combo mic.

[@CC-gt3ro]

Exactly what i searched not like all these shotgun mono only mic. I wanted also stereo option in one body like my Canon dm-100 from my old camcorder. Badly i cannot reuse it on my futur sony a7iv. They could have added a 90 degrees stereo like the dm-100 but at least 120 is good for nature wildlife audio.

[@markpugh4403]

Rode makes the Video Mic Pro+ now that has the auto power on feature now.

[@jd5787]

Getting this for an upcoming trip. Mint condition for a bargain basement price. Thanks for the video 😁.

[@diazfilms]

Thanks Tom. Very cool review and loved your high tech fan!

[@TomAntos]

Only the best for me. It's how I keep the house cool in the summer ;-)

[@DoppaD]

Probably a dumb question, but is there a way to monitor battery levels? I'd hate to be recording and lose audio because my battery suddenly died and I didn't realize it. Are there any indicators of a low battery? Visual or beeping or anything? It sounds awesome by the way.

[@AlanWurman]

Thanks Tom. I have a question, can you use the viewfinder of your Sony camera while using the mic?? or is it annoying like with the rode videomic pro?

[@STORYTRAVELERS]

want to know this as well :)

[@eladbari]

Wish Rode had some competition already, but one's a bit off [especially the stereo]. Also, you just can't test 30cm away from your face, also. It will surely sounds super nice. For that you get a lapel mic.

[@Kidsonss]

I would like to know your and others opinion as to which is the best on camera mike for use with a Sony a6300 when filming events - such as garden parties - conversations around dinner tables - outside around a swimming pool with kids running and jumping into the pool - i.e relatively longer distances than when simply vlogging a few inches away from the Mike

[@ed6164]

Great device! Thanks!

[@rredline]

Cool review Tom, much more informative than other's.

[@sotocine99]

Do you apply the dead cat over the foam or directly to the micro?

[@adamkomusic]

Soto Cine yeah I wanna know too!

[@TomMakesThings]

over the foam

[@enesogroup9054]

I notice you're using Sony. Was it a good choice to switch from Nikon / Canon?

[@adamkomusic]

Very cool! It looks like it's designed especially for Sony Alfa!

[@PaulBSimpsonJr]

Thank you for such a great video. I'm buying one tonight!

[@anilagarwal2114]

Hello TOm .. does Azden has a hiss sound ?

[@LavellesWorld]

why do don't give the price?

[@TomMakesThings]

because the price changes as time goes on and depending on where you look. That's why I provide the links to a few online retailers so you can click and quickly compare the current price. I did a video before about gimbals where I mentioned the prices but a week after the video was release some of the prices dropped by $200 and then people were complaining that my prices are not correct in the video.

[@MrNaojinglen]

nice

[@RobertsonDMcI]

Good advice .. thanks.

[@wayofki]

This would be amazing if it could record both stereo and mono at the same time to two different separate audio files.

[@TomAntos]

It's not a recorder so if can't record anything. So it's more a limitation of video cameras

[@CC-gt3ro]

It is impossible as the output is not digital only analogic stereo. They could do it if they add a small mixer at the back and mix together to the output the stereo and the mono into one stereo output result. But you would not been able to work on separate track in post. For that the mic would need to be a digital recorder with a sd card. I don’t think that anybody created that. Except with the sony xlr adapter where you can connect multiple mic mono onto 4 track with the multi digital connection. It works only on a7siii and a7c and a7r4 i think

[@janedelmueller]

Thanks for the Video! Is it a problem to use a non stereo microfone?

[@SvenImholz]

Jan Beat no that is not a problem. On this mic you will hear everything around you when you record in stereo. But the sound will be more focused when you use the shotgun part. That is preferred when recording dialogue or close ups

[@TomAntos]

Most microphones are mono. Meaning they record the same sound onto both left and right audio track. This is good since when recording a specific part of the scene, like people talking... you want to only include that part of the scene and you dont want to capture all the other sounds around. But if you want to capture the whole ambient sound of a location instead of just one particular spot then that's when a stereo mic is good. It allows you to get different sounds on the left and right channels.

[@CC-gt3ro]

If you are in the forest and want to record bird and river with professional result you need a stereo mode microphone. The difference is huge and make the footage really professional National Geographic quality..in mono it is amateur and not really good. It will feel strange not realistic.

[@JohnnyBeFilms]

How does it come you've got as much subs as quarter of million and so small amount of views on your videos?