Wedding Filmmakers Will LOVE This Mic - Sony On Camera Shotgun Microphone Review (ECM-B1M)

❗ Get WhoisMatt LUTs: whoismatt.com/luts
►► FREE quick tips guide to book more wedding film clients: get.whoismatt.com/bookmorewed...
I just got back from filming a wedding with the new Sony ECM-B1M Shotgun Microphone! How does it compare to other on-camera shotgun mics like the Rode Videomic Pro+, Deity V-Mic D3 Pro, and others? Here is my review of the Sony ECM-B1M for wedding filmmakers!
Buy Sony ECM-B1M at Amazon: amzn.to/38MC0tS
Buy Sony ECM-B1M at B&H: bhpho.to/38LcIfX
Buy Rode Videomic Pro+ at Amazon: amzn.to/3kPkACw
Buy Rode Videomic Pro+ at B&H: bhpho.to/3jMTxJ6
Buy Deity V-Mic D3 at Amazon: amzn.to/3zMpgiR
Buy Deity V-Mic D3 at B&H: bhpho.to/3zOIgNJ
Sony cameras compatible with this mic: support.d-imaging.sony.co.jp/...
✌ Join my Learn Wedding Filmmaking Facebook Group: learnweddingfilmmaking.co/
⏱ EDIT FASTER! I use Archaius Creative to help edit my videos & they want to help you too!: www.archaiuscreative.com/whoi... (Get 10% off your first editing project when you use this link)
❗ Favorite Wedding Filmmaking Gear: kit.co/whoismatt
My Instagram: / whoismatt
Music licensing sites I recommend:
🎧 Sound Stripe - whoismatt.com/soundstripemusic (use the coupon code "WHOISMATT" for 10% off a yearly or monthly subscription!)
🎷 ART LIST - whoismatt.com/artlistmusic (free extra 2-months when you subscribe using this link!)
🎵 Musicbed - whoismatt.com/musicbedmusic
0:00 I'll be telling you 3 reasons why I LOVE this mic!
0:38 Reason 1: This Mic Is TINY & Light Weight!
4:13 Reason 2: NO 3.5mm Mic Cord Needed
5:31 Reason 3: The Controls (& Unique Capabilities Of This Mic)
6:32 Auto Level Audio Sound Test
7:15 Manual Audio Level Sound Test
9:11 The COOLEST Setting On The Microphone
9:35 Directional Audio Test (Mushroom/Super Cardioid)
10:24 Wider Audio Test (Butt/Cardioid)
11:07 Omnidirectional Audio Test (Circle)
12:17 Con 1 Of This Mic - Stabilization
14:39 Con 2 Of This Mic - Price
15:24 Should You Buy This Mic?
16:01 Free Guide For Wedding Filmmakers
I’m required to state that I'm a part of affiliate programs for Amazon, B&H, SoundStripe, ArtList, Musicbed, and Adobe and that some of the links above are affiliate links.

[@whoismatt]

🎤 Do you use an on-camera mic? P.S. This video was colored with my presets, get them here - whoismatt.com/luts

[@yohan7083]

Hi Matt, I just realised after watching your video that on-camera mics with a separate power supply like a separate battery, provide relatively better audio than those that only rely on the 3.5mm audio jack for power. I was hoping any advancement has been made so far since you made this video; like have companies now made anything similar to Sony's on-camera mic? I want to get a very good on-camera mic for my Nikon camera and I don't know which one to choose from... I would really appreciate your help.

[@shotmakermedia]

I rented this mic for a wedding 2 weeks ago and decided to buy it right after. It's so nice to not worry about charging it or worry about plugging it in.

[@karthiknatarajan1915]

What about Out door Noice bro, we have to clear in pc

[@JeronimoAmbience]

Thank you Matt! I watched like 5 different people explaining this microphone, but you are the only one who described this microphone so hollisticly and now I found my issue!

[@andrescolintv]

Blown away by your ability to deliver such a clear and great review. Thanks!

[@andreasbuder4417]

There is one last con: You can't use it off camera, like on a boom pole or plugged in a recorder. But it's a great mic nonetheless.

[@MadGearBand]

“Anyone seen Matt?” “He’s outside the reception… giving his camera a pep talk?” “Hey, I don’t question his methods.”

[@whoismatt]

😂😂😂😂

[@Cosmopolitm]

Thanks Matt, you're so practical explaining all details!

[@niltons.spagnuolo]

Excellent review. Thanks for sharing your experience.

[@caiocoelho-rec-it]

Realy nice and complete review about the mic ! Thanks a lot ! :)

[@iamalittlebird]

Very thorough review, thanks for making such a great video.

[@drshilpi]

dude!!!! thank you so much for this video! this is exactly what I was looking for! liked and subscribed!

[@solobjones8389]

As always, a great review. I would like to see a review in windy conditions. Thanks

[@RaphaelParvin]

This was an excellent review!! I have the Videomic Pro +, but this seems like such a better solution for the Sony A7 range - small, easy to use and no need to use the 3.5mm port.

[@ChayanRasta]

Awesome review bro, thank you !!

[@nermaldigital]

Sony this year did a limited run of a soft bundle of this microphone and the shooting grip VpT2BT on discount. was about £240 for both together, instead of £330 here in the UK. That's how I picked up. It's an excellent microphone and perfect for my a7C and ZvE10 set up.

[@ryanyu5051]

Great review! Thank you.

[@aenosfox3658]

I just ordered it ! Thanks for helping us 🎃

[@andrewb76]

These look perfect!!! Great review!

[@KoolKoyott]

Very useful review! Thanks!!

[@avitautomotive4436]

Great video mate, explains everything!

[@jakejakejakejakejakejake]

Love your videos, Homeboy! 👌 X

[@2013nicolas]

Very useful.. quick and efficient. TKS

[@RockyRomanchek]

Great review!

[@paulgero]

solid review Matt...thanks

[@felixhannappel]

I'm using this amazing mic on the fx3. Most of the times for vlogs 🙃 Great Review (I always enjoy your videos!!) Greetings from Germany

[@RandumbTech]

@@JustKarthiK It disables the use of the 3.5mm jack. With V2.0 firmware, FX3 now supports timecode via multi-port. You just have to buy the proper cable. I use Tentacle Sync timecode and it works flawlessly. You just have to jam sync it every hour or so because the FX3 does drift a bit.

[@ramondelgado05]

Best review on this mic, thanks

[@edgardbmedia]

Thanks for the review. I've been wanting to upgrade my vlog mic (deity duo 4). This mic seems great to pair with my Sony A7c or ZV1. The stabilization doesn't seem bad due to that I don't see anyone running and vlogging.

[@jaimealmeida1271]

thank you bro! now i know what to buy for my a7siii, since Rode mic are so popular.

[@MammadAliyev]

Thanks for useful information

[@AGUSDWIANA]

Thanks, this help me a lot

[@Bo_Hazem]

Great review, as if I need more convicing! Perfect mic for wildlife and pretty versatile overall.

[@nashhall694]

Great review Matt, I brought this mic when the r4 came out. (It was released at the same launch).I now have 2 of these mics & record all my audio with them as I have also have the S3 as well. They don’t replace lav mics or pocket recorders but for close stuff they work great. Oh, btw, I’ve ordered the A7iv based on your wedding review a few weeks ago! Thanks 🙏 again for that😀👍🥰

[@travellingsmiles7684]

Hi Nash- what settings do you use on the sony Mic please, as you can see am relatively new and mostly filming outdoors and kitchens, so any help would be much appreciated. Thanks

[@nashhall694]

@@travellingsmiles7684 I put them on Auto with NC (noise canceling) selected. Then select which area you want to collect the sound from.I have used them on manual as well where you adjust the level 1 to 10 & the ATT (Attenuator).

[@inigonavarro-rubio3367]

Excellent review

[@marielichtblick]

Thanks for this good review. Is it possible to use this mic when using a gimbal (dji rsc2) in Underslung Mode?

[@BlackBeltBarrister]

Sold at 3:21 - wow! I didn't realise how awesome this could be! Thanks again for a fantastic video.

[@BlackBeltBarrister]

Having now bought this - I love it.. but .... it doesn't quite sound as 'rounded' as the Rode. Is it just me?

[@jennifermedia6288]

It bloody is brilliant.I used it and getting a second!! Selling my old ones. Getting a7iv for the second so I get digital info both.

[@saviyou]

I love RODE mics because of their warranty but I’ve had to send them in for repairs I don’t know how many times because of the 3.5mm. I’ve also broken 3 cameras because of it…currently have an A7III with only 1 audio channel coming out of the 3.5mm. I think this might be a great solution!

[@pavolpekar9888]

Hi Matt. great review. WHAT SETTINGS DO YOU USE AT A WEDDING when the music is very loud?

[@TransplantHelper]

Great review, Impressive mic for sure

[@bradweiergallery]

Matt, you Are awesome! That is all I wanted to say.

[@LifeOfBD]

Thanks Matt!

[@Briandelprado]

great video! the audio to this video sounds amazing. what are you using? I've been trying to get audio like this

[@louiscatlift]

Great video! How much worse will it sound running on analogue on a Sony A7iii versus on a digital compatible camera?

[@BokehFilmStudios]

Hahaha, "Lets go to the Butt setting now"... You always crack me up Matt. That said, this is an amazing tutorial, everything I needed to hear in order to make a decision on this!

[@kingweddingmedia]

digital vs analog audio quality - how would you describe the quality difference? I am on A7iii's so I don't think it would have the digital option. Thanks!

[@WildTyrant]

I've used this for most of my weddings this year! Love how little it is and how little effort it takes to use it well.

[@jacquelinealicegoutier9680]

Very good review, thank you Matt 🙂One question: With the A7Siii, is it possible to connect a microphone system such as PicoGear or Tentacle Sync to the camera in parallel to the Sony B1M? I would like to record the sound in parallel with the B1M on the camera and flexible microphones (on guests, groom, bride). Each audio device should be recorded on its own audio track. The problem is that PicoGear and Tentacle Sync both work with timecode and are connected to the camera by cable and receiver. My wish probably only works with external lavalier microphones like Tascam DR10L etc. right?

[@MoonbeamArcade]

I had that mic some time ago but I was never able to film with it without getting all manner of handling noise. So I gave up, sold it and reverted back to my old trusty XLR-K2M.

[@muen1842]

I have the K2m secondhand also. Works great! I heard it can only do analog and not digital like its big bro the K3m. Have you heard about this?

[@MIRAAAS]

I have had the Rode for a while, the sound is amazing - but only when it's sitting on my table on the camera. The moment the camera started to shake, I had the wobbling sounds on my footage. And it's very hard to catch that sound when monitoring. It's so long as well, that the foam bit would get into the frame. Especially because overtime the foam would slide out too easily. Lastly, it started to show some whistling sound - so I am never going back to that Rode shotgun again.

[@project_nomad]

You are a good man, appreciate it.

[@Paul_Dalangpan]

Thank you for doing this video. Much appreciated. How far can a speaker be from in front the mic be and still have quality pick up? Again, thank you.

[@badfrank8339]

Hello, thanx a lot for the review. So... In addition to this mic... Can i plug Rode wireless go ?

[@DP_Daro]

I wish that this microphone came with the hot shoe relocation cable like the xlr k3m. I'm always using a external monitor with a proper top handle on the FX3 cage and this microphone won't fit there anywhere. I also couldn't find that relocation cable sold separately.

[@enfieldlover8145]

great review.. one thing - the mic seems to be super with its specs but - FINALLY somebody made a mic without a cable?? now that is revolutionary. anybody else doing this? i'm googling left and right but no luck seeing that feature aka NO CABLE that just prevents me to use my flippy screen half of the time... no cable REVOLUTION.. sony - good job . and still a Q: any other 'no cable' mics out there? something i could use with my canon.. PS 'butt setting' term - the best

[@lisamariecreative3661]

Thank you for such a thorough review Matt! One question - does this microphone enable you to look through the eyepiece while shooting? My main qualm with the Video Mic Pro+ is that the jack of the cable protrudes at the back and obstructs you using the eyepiece.

[@pabloreynosof]

Great Video, saludos desde Argentina!

[@papsny]

I was fortunate enough to get one at a yard sale for $50... Never knew how much it was, didn't know anything about it (been using my Rode NTG Mic) so just used it for a couple of gigs and loved it.. Tried to buy one but it's impossible to find.. Great video and agree on your points!

[@whoismatt]

Great deal!

[@jon.parsons]

This seems almost perfect! My only issue is that I like to use a top handle, so unless there's some sort of smart-shoe extension cable to reposition the mic, I might have to stick with Rode's offerings.

[@Donbros]

Check out sony xlr-3m mic - it has extension and interchangability of xlr mics. I am literally saving for that. This is one is more compact but not as good, too niche. You can use on cage as you want. I would buy that and then some wireless mic for behind camera talking and for other person in action

[@jon.parsons]

@@Donbros Amazing! Thanks so much 😎

[@James-qo7uz]

Is the mic sensitive to handling noise? Will it pick up changing settings on the back while recording for instance? Will it connect digitally to a Sony a6600? But even with an analog connection, it still doesn’t need the 3.5 connection?

[@skyisthelimitcinematograph9852]

I love it!

[@Billdelano]

Any idea what happens if you plug in say a rode wireless go into the 3.5 mic while this is plugged in, would it record both?

[@3akoscielski]

Hoping something like this comes to Nikon soon (as well as a digital hot shoe). Seems awesome!

[@speedbird737]

The mic audio issue when power walking - try turning on LC filter to filter it out - simples

[@directoremod8075]

Three features I would like to hear from new Sony Hotshoe Microphones 1. The ability to 3.5 External input jack due to poor sony microphone inputs. For transmitter & external mic. Mine has already broken 2. The ability to record from 2 channels separately to stereo track (I usually use a pair input wire to avoid loosing sound from lavellier issues) 3. Built quality improvement.

[@TreasureCorals]

Any suggestion on how this microphone can be mounted with an external monitor on FX3? I bought it based on your review but can't figure out how to lay out the monitor on the camera as well

[@frankroy5444]

It’s hard to imagine that such a tiny mic can be so versatile

[@projectmlegislatie]

Hi, cand you cath a good quality of the sound 9ft away ?

[@yellowmonsters1190]

Hey matt big fan since you uploaded that adobe premiere pro export settings it helped me a lot. Please make more videos on adobe premiere pro so that we can learn editing also. Thank you Big fan from India

[@onnie1968]

Thank you Matt I picked one up second hand for $50 I guy never used it :) Just one thing what's the usb on the mic used for ? It's under the little flip door on the side of the mic. Anyway Matt great info :)

[@BerndKistenmacher]

Great review. Thank you. This mic is definetly worth watching. But imo the pro is a con at the same time because of powering up with the hot shoe. I for example use a top handle on my A7S iii. This makes it impossible to use the hot shoe. So I will still use my Rode Pro mic mounted on the top handle but for some purposes the Sony will be a better choice.

[@TheNanofiber]

I’ve been wanting to get one but they are not available anywhere…. 😔

[@michaelbird1554]

How does it to compare to the Sony ECM-GZ1M which I currently use? This one is 3 times the price and the ECM-GZ1M is also powered by the hot shoe.

[@aboolife6264]

I just ordered the last one on Amazon 1h ago 😅💯🔥👌🏽 just one time before out of stock for while again

[@koolaidpapi7674]

Does it also have a 3.5 Jack or digital only

[@fredmiu6038]

Hi Matt, after watched your video, I bought that mic afterward. The mic is beautiful, thanks so much. But I thing I can’t figure out….that is how to use that Sony mic with a cage? There must something we can do. Please help me, thanks.

[@ChoicesHabitsAttitudeLuck]

is this best for like interview like greetings and best wishes from the guest?

[@aaronrivera17]

We cant choose the audio quality in settings menu am i correct? Mine is greyed out so its only 16biy

[@doreenpollock8496]

What do you do if you want to put a light on top of your camera???

[@corgily]

Thanks for sharing, i wish these microphones weren’t sold out everywhere lol

[@nevenkofilipek]

Hi Matt, is this mic stereo or mono?

[@jetpvck1992]

Sony A7III Mic Jack Port went out so I bought this. You can also buy a Hotshoe Relocator to use this mic on a cage.

[@tripxoy1214]

I’m about to get one. On Sony A7 iii, just fit into hotshoe will do without any cable? But we need to use analog mode, right?

[@JoseAnayaTV]

Sara Dietschy said she doesn't recommend this mic in one of her recent videos due to the digital noise it generates. Any thoughts?

[@NowyKurs]

Cool stuff

[@rumorscameras]

how would you rig the camera especially with a handle if you use this mic

[@rawmediapaul]

@Matt. Say I was shooting on 2 A7s3 and a A7VI all on the same day and wanted to carry this Mic in my pocket to use when needed. Would this be hot swappable real fast between the 3 Cameras for run and gun filming?? Thank you! Love you videos!🧔🏽

[@whoismatt]

Yup

[@kouleeofficial]

Anyone know if this mic will work with a Sony A7III? I checked the descriptions but it’s a bit confusing to find out.

[@cameronpeters6919]

I have the sony a7iii and the digital is not compatible for my camera, only the analog setting is. Would it still be worth it you think?

[@whyiswhy123]

Is it good for live music recording? many mic couldn't record punchy drum. Solid in live hearing, hollow in recording...

[@TheFandangovideoguy]

nice mic...My Rode Micro is nice but it's too directional during wedding receptions (mostly the dancing parts)- This B1M in omnidirectional mode might give me fuller audio maybe...any other Sony mic with this ominidirectional setting for a little less money? The B10m maybe but nothing else with an omnidirectional setting...hmm

[@GreaterGoals]

Comparison of inbuild mic versus this mic, short 2 min video. I think we need to hear. Thanks

[@IDOLCAM1]

Hi Matt. We have the new IDOLCAM VlogStar V2 shotgun/Lavalier microphone in one, small size, perfect for Sony Cam, can we send you one for the next mic review you are doing?

[@levioceann]

hey Matt, If I am using this mic on my Fx3 body cage on a cold shoe mount will it still work? Or do I need a audio cord for it? thanks

[@mixahl7]

Doe’s anyone know if you can use both rode wireless go ii and sony emb10 at the same time ? Thanks!

[@Factoreffectsmedia]

can you use the ECM-B1M on the extra audio channels 3/4 on a7siii and still use the jack for more inputs at the same time (audio channels 1/2? kzbin.info/www/bejne/nnW3nZqIZ52KZ6M

[@Heyyluis]

what if I have a cage, can we use a cable just in case or are we out of luck

[@nightdonutstudio]

wow this mic is full of features.

[@ConsumerFanatics]

It would be cool if Sony added the ability to adjust the tension of the stabilization so that it wouldn’t “bottom out”

[@JuanCastro-dx1jk]

Hey Matt, big fan here, I was wondering if you are considering testing the new M1 Pro/Max MacBook series for your editing work?

[@whoismatt]

Hey Juan! Hoping to pick one up eventually but I don’t have one ordered yet

[@b2bfusion]

Great review. For two person trade show indoor interviews from 10 feet away from the camera, do you feel this B1M shotgun mic will be effective in picking up two voices with my Sony Zv-e10? Assume we set it for unidirectional. I travel alot pre pandemic so portability is key. All the other reviews are hand held which is too close for my use case. And they only involve one person.

[@whoismatt]

Thanks! Nah I wouldn’t recommend it, that’s too much distance in a loud room. I would get 2 Tascam dr-10L recorders and lav each person speaking

[@b2bfusion]

@@whoismatt is the primary issue the 10 foot distance from camera to subject or the loudness of the room while recording from 10,,ish feet?

[@whoismatt]

@@b2bfusion ​ bit of both. You would ideally have lav mics or a supercardioid shotgun mic closer to the people speaking

[@MosChowdhury]

I have this microphone and the K3M with the included shotgun mic - both incredible and but I definitely use the ECM-B1M a lot more