What Makes A Good Interview Mic?

How do different handheld “interview mics” compare? Let’s see how a variety of mics, pickup patterns, and wireless systems perform in a super crowded, loud, and signal-heavy environment!
I also want to give a huge thank you to B&H Photo for making it possible for Heather and I to attend NAB. We definitely wouldn’t have been able to make it happen without their help!
🎤 Mics & Equipment Used In This Video:
•Sennheiser MD46: bhpho.to/4aIfpNy
•Shure Sm58: bhpho.to/3U9HaaW
•Shure Super 55: bhpho.to/3U8tqNr
•Rode Reporter: bhpho.to/3U9Cfqn
•Shure SM7B: bhpho.to/3JvPSLy
•Shure Sm57: bhpho.to/3w2FWGo
•Rode Wireless Pro: bhpho.to/3QgtCci
•Rode Interview Pro: bhpho.to/49QUfM7
•Audio Technica AT897: bhpho.to/3P7YwSL
•”The Tiny Mic”: geni.us/NiZzOH
•Sennheiser EW-DP Wireless System: bhpho.to/3W4peky
•Shure SLXD35: bhpho.to/49ICY7G
And thank you to everyone who helped me make this video!
@heatherjustcreate
@audiohotline
@fellowfilmmaker
@catmulvihill
@aaronpk
🎬 I edited this video (and all my videos) with Final Cut Pro. If you want to learn how I edit, check out my online course: learnfinalcutpro.com
🎙️And if you're interested in podcasting, I've also got a DIY podcast production course: podcasterplaybook.com
⏱️Chapter Markers:
0:00 - My Mic Knowledge Gap
2:27 - Sennheiser MD46
4:09 - Shure SM58
5:36 - Shure Super 55
8:31 - Rode Reporter
9:57 - Shure SM7B
13:39 - Shure SM57
14:53 - Rode Wireless Pro
17:43 - Rode Interview Pro
21:57 - Audio Technica AT897
23:20 - The Tiny Mic
25:16 - UHF Wireless Test
26:29 - 2.4ghz Wireless Test
29:04 - Conclusion
-----------------------
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Instagram: @sodarntom
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Podcasts: himynameistom.com/podcasts
-----------------------
🎥 Check out my full gear list here:himynameistom.com/gear
-----------------------
- Who Am I? -
Hi! My name is Tom Buck, a lifelong A/V nerd and former high school Digital Media teacher. I started this channel in 2017 as a project to share my enthusiasm for everything related to audio and video production.
It's my goal for each video to be interesting/helpful/atleastmildlyentertaining, but I'm an enthusiast and not an expert. You can take a look at my About page to know more about my background, both personally and professionally: himynameistom.com/about
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-----------------------
Episode 407: Which Handheld Mics Work Best For Interviews?

[@AudioHotline]

Great video Tom! This was a fun time! Thanks for letting me join you in this video 🎙️

[@tombuck]

Thanks for all the help!

[@JamesRojas100]

I'm a radio news reporter and I never go to a story without my Sennheiser MD 46. It's my absolute favorite handheld mic and my go-to for any scenario. I also use the Sennheiser MKH 416 P48 a lot. It's very versatile in the field and sounds great. My backup mic when those two are not available is the Electro-Voice RE50B. I also carry Rode Wireless II mics for more unique situations.

[@tombuck]

Thanks for the real-world insight! So cool to hear!

[@jasonmirabile5184]

I love B&H! What a wonderful store with EVERYTHING and such nice and helpful staff. Its a staple in NYC and essential for all audiophiles and anyone who loves and uses electronics (so everyone). I also really enjoy your content Tom and Heather!!❤

[@danielschaller-digitalmark9068]

great video but.. the best part is probably that it's fun to see you (and Heather) having so much fun... great job Tom... and best from Portugal

[@tombuck]

It was really fun to try and capture a bit of the joy of NAB 😎

[@user-wu4cw5ed5w]

Pride and happiness of Tom when he meets Ryan is inconceivable 😂 Nice vlog, anyways. Keep at it!

[@tombuck]

He's so genuinely nice. Starstruck for sure.

[@user-wu4cw5ed5w]

@@tombuck Well, next up - Tom Buck visits Rode main factory :)

[@lems18902]

I can’t believe how good that Tiny Mic sounded actually. I am SHOCKED that it could manage all that background noise!!

[@Just_Samson]

So gooooooood! By far the best NAB video of 2024. You have lessened the pain of missing NAB this year. But in 2025 “I’ll be back” 😎 Appreciate you Tom 🤜🤛

[@tombuck]

Yes! So excited for next year!

[@PeterGregg]

Tons of great info in here! Great job Tom, so much I got exposed too. That Rode guy was quite interesting and the Interview Pro is so new to me!!!. Not designed for interview stuff, but I am highly curious about the LS208 (Lauten) for some strange reason because of singing I think. It's point is to be a directional (or noise rejecting) but still give that large condenser sound. I never held one so it could be a total thumbs down lol. Again, you are an expensive man to watch, but I love it. Thank you for this video, I'm telling everyone about it :) 👍👍👍👍

[@ChessNuke]

Tom you are on a roll with the videos lately, some of my favorite content you have ever put out !!

[@tombuck]

Wow, this really means a lot to hear! Thank you.

[@MonteWeaverofficial]

"You did not ask me a question" 🤣

[@tombuck]

But the mid trick worked!

[@JeffryGonzalezHt]

It's a testament to your skills that I'm watching this as someone that hasn't taken a microphone out of my office in years.

[@tombuck]

That really means a lot, hope you enjoyed it!

[@jonathanramsey]

There are few channels I watch every video. Yours is the only one I’m sure I can say that about. Actually, it might be the only one… except CityNerd. Come to think of it, I might have a “video presenter type”. One could argue that you’re the more effervescent Yang to Ray’s quaalude-esque Yin. Detail-oriented. Loads of visuals. Niche sense of humor. Yeah. Anyway, this is about YOU, Tom. Thank you for your videos. Ready to watch for the next one. Maybe I’ll see you in Vegas, next year.

[@tombuck]

I would love run into you in Vegas! Thank you for all the kind words and support, it genuinely means the world.

[@MarkBennettCameraCrisis]

This video is what I needed now that I have started interviewing famous people like Tom Buck!!

[@tombuck]

This video needs your face in it.

[@rickycgarrett]

I would have never guessed you were born in 85. You seem older, in a good way. I too was born in 85. Love your vids Tom!

[@tombuck]

Haha thank you! I think? 😉

[@marcalexanderblais3016]

I knew that a Video of Tom Buck and friends in the wild would be cool. Nay Awesome!! It’s pretty cool to see you in another environment. Makes you more of a real human (🙃, if it’s a thing) I hope there’s more coming! Keep up!

[@tombuck]

I’m glad my generative AI tech made it convincing 😉

[@SammySuperStar]

Tom such a great video!!! Love the mics from this video

[@tombuck]

I thought about you when making it 😁

[@ShawnPark]

Tom: Please review the Yellowtec iXm interview mic. I love it. 😎

[@kylemckenna]

Loving the longer length videos!

[@tombuck]

Love to hear it! I didn't expect this one to be so long...and I cut out A LOT 😅

[@Tech4YourNeeds]

Great comparison! I learned a lot.

[@ykhemani]

Loved watching this!

[@Urbanmediashowcase]

You caught my attention with just the mic size. The funny thing is I never thought about mic flags. Never used one. Now I need to get another mic. Lol.

[@tombuck]

Yeah, little things like that make a big difference. The SM58 gets a little easier to use once you attach the XLR transmitter, but it's still not the most practical if you're using a flag/windscreen.

[@GoTellJesusSaves]

Loved the sound quality of the audio-technica mic.

[@tombuck]

It's so underrated!

[@paulsmustache]

MD 46 because in certain situations it needs to be “wired” to a recorder and put on a multi mic stand during a news conferences etc.

[@ww1www]

When travelling, weight, size etc do matter. So the Rode Interview Go with the Wireless Pro/Go II is my go with system because of the versatility: lav mic if you wish, handheld mic if you need to be quick... When not having to fly to the spot, I would use a dynamic. And I still prefer cardioids in noisy environments. MD46 is on my bucket list actually, currently I use a Sennheiser E815s. A tad too short for the purpose, but I can live with it. I also have the Rode Reporter mic I got cheap on Marketplace with the RodeLink newshooter kit, but I am not a very big fan of how it sounds. But honesty, the Wireless Pro kit with the Interview Go is the one I would keep if I had to keep only one. I love it. But I am not a professional, just a hobbyist.

[@HomesickMac]

Soo cool seeing you all testing and demoing the mics! What strikes me is how Tom's voice is always stronger than anybody else's even at the exact same mic proximity from both.. mouths.. OK, there's certainly some small angle I still can't see , but Tom's got da thang!

[@hellounclesim]

Best NAB video ever!

[@TheGeekandI]

I’ve always wanted a Gene Rayburn, Match Game style mic for my comic con interviews so I built my own using one of those wireless iPhone mic from Temu. Works well. Great video.

[@tombuck]

I still want Bob Barker's super long Price is Right mic, but they don't make it anymore and it's very tough to find!

[@VincentPolisi]

So, to me, the best two were the Shure SM7B and the Røde Interview Pro. The Tiny Mic has to be the biggest surprise though. Wow! Didn't see that coming...

[@tombuck]

Right?! I was genuinely shocked.

[@VincentPolisi]

@@tombuck I want to say something about the Tiny Mic but there just are no words. If nothing else, you just absolutely decimated anyone's excuse for not being able to record quality sounding content.

[@RIMJAM]

I just used the SM7B as a handheld yesterday for the first time, so this is pretty funny! One pain point I had was accidentally hitting the XLR release button, slightly releasing the cable, and had to do the take again. But…it was still really fun to use that way…I can’t explain it! 😂

[@tombuck]

Really?! Haha, that's awesome. I definitely have some ideas to make it a bit more robust, which I want to do a whole separate video about.

[@sublimeexposuresfilms]

What a Sublime Exposure to learn about Heather’s first album purchase!

[@codythep]

I’m really glad they Doug in to it

[@ItsRyukin]

I would go for my wireless mic (Comica Boom X-D1 / X-D2 for my case) when it comes to an interviewing production, It sounds good and it even has an option to use two mics in stereo audio. I do have my setup for making interviews, Which it can be varied from just handheld and clip on mics to the boom mics. (Depending on a situation and sceneries) These setups are also used in my KZbin video production too! Also a few weeks ago, I bought a film slate too. Lol. 😅🎬

[@randallbrander8157]

My rode XLR Mic failed when attached to the Streamer X module. I am checking it out now to see if there is a firmware update after I got the new Mac Update which means either I reinstall the update again for my app or program. I am interested in the mobile mic. I do have the Rode wireless go & go2. I did get interference of top 100 songs countdown when driving downtown from a local radio station. I did leave my Rode Lavalier mic in the wash and it isn't working properly anymore. It's Clean! I graduated from High School in 1985. Cheers!

[@nickglover]

A similar idea I was wondering about recently is the idea of broadcast mics. In the US, at least, we all take for granted that radio stations use SM7Bs and RE20s, but if it's a treated space and condensers are "better," why? As with the interview mics, it seems to be mostly practical. Durability, parts availability, SM7B not having an issue with handling noise (RE20 with shockmount also), flat FR so they work well for everyone, etc. And it turns out that similar professional-looking, flat FR condenser mics aren't actually any cheaper, so there's that.

[@GaryStockton]

Tom, I’m curious how you are connecting the mics to your camera. What wireless unit is it? I have a RODE-Link news shooter with a Rode mic but to connect to an iPhone it needs another adapter.

[@thedeejlam]

I dig your Sennheiser choice. An excellent omni analogue is EV's outstanding RE50N/D-L.

[@martinXY]

Thanks for testing the Rode Wireless Pro. It worked perfectly well. The Rode Interview Pro was good, too. The Rode Reporter lacked bass.

[@Just-MK]

I love how I watched this whole video and know that I’m never going to buy an interview mic.

[@tombuck]

I love this too 😁

[@simaskaciusis3246]

the tiny mic sounded so good!

[@justmyhonestopinion8828]

Tom you have been a GREAT help on so many levels and I am currently researching audio equipment for convention use . Can the MD46 be dual wielded like how you did with the Rode Wireless Pro ?

[@tombuck]

Hey thanks! It depends on your wireless system (the mic itself is just XLR). If you have dual XLR wireless system, then you could use two at once 👍 If you happen to have two single channel systems and a camera with dual XLR inputs, you could run one to each channel (like the FX3’s audio handle).

[@justmyhonestopinion8828]

Yea I'm looking at the Sennheiser EW-DP to go with the mics to cover all my needs by the price point of 2 mics and the system ..gives me pause just until I can make sure I'm getting exactly what we will need

[@codyclarke]

I like the Shure 565SD for handheld interviews, you should try that one at some point

[@tombuck]

Thanks for the recommendation!

[@Bruce-Weinberg]

What XLR transmitter is recommended for use with the Rode Reporter that will connect with the Rode Wireless pro receiver?

[@JewTubeTV]

How’d you miss the ElectroVoice booth? They make the standard.

[@markexploringnewstuff]

Tom, how did the Sennheiser EWDP perform at the conference with MD46 Mic? Thanks so much for your continued work.

[@tombuck]

It was phenomenal! No issues at all. I found a small pouch for the XLR transmitter to give it a bit more durability, which was really my only concern.

[@markexploringnewstuff]

@@tombuck Thank you so much for the quick reply. Mine is coming Friday from B&H.

[@markexploringnewstuff]

Tom, on the MD46 what were your Gain and Output settings that you used with the Sennheiser EW-DP ENG? Thanks so much

[@tombuck]

@@markexploringnewstuff I had the receivers gain set to 20 and I can't remember the camera's gain, but I THINK it was about 6?

[@markexploringnewstuff]

Thank you

[@bmkhalidhasan]

You and your wife should make a podcast. You two look great and talk fun! ❤

[@tombuck]

Thank you! We actually have one called "The Couple's Table." It's on her channel @heatherjustcreate and also on all the regular podcast platforms 👍

[@bmkhalidhasan]

@@tombuck thank you for sharing, I am going to subscribe.

[@paulmiller657]

You can put a regular mic clip on the mic with a handle attached!

[@jonathanramsey]

9:42 “Badges? We ain’t got no badges. We don’t need no badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges!”

[@kylemckenna]

Underrated comment LOL

[@jonathanramsey]

To be fair, Mickey Dolenz’s misquote from a Monkees epi -“Badges? We don’t need no stinking badges!”- is the most quoted version of the line. Blazing Saddles repeated this, though, and probably gets the credit. Fun fact: the original version from the actual book Treasure of the Sierra Madre was full of Spanish cursing, and had to be sanitized for the movie version. Threatening to do such things to another’s mother, even in another language, was not allowed in film, at the time.

[@mikejones-nd6ni]

RIP DMX the legend

[@hsjawanda]

The Sennheiser MD46 is definitely a good choice, the Rode Interview Pro is very good as well, but for me the SM7b actually makes a surprisingly good outdoors interview mic (talk about unconventional ideas!): there's almost zero background noise!!! Probably not the most convenient to handle though. If you had to pad the SM7b's signal by 20 dB, why not remove the signal booster all together?

[@UXXV]

Are the pink and blue Rode Pro foam windscreens generic or designed for the slot of the Rode TXs ?

[@tombuck]

They have the specific slots!

[@UXXV]

@@tombuck awesome. I inked over the ones in the pack but coloured ones would great!

[@ObscureMics]

DMXlr lol. I love it

[@tombuck]

I'm more proud of that than I have any right to be.

[@ObscureMics]

@@tombuck the transition was so smooth lol…you should be proud

[@edclevel402]

Big props for Sublime.

[@Lavah]

I actually like the sound of the Rode Reporter (non-pro)

[@tombuck]

It's a fun mic to use!

[@tairiqueellis4841]

hey Tom I’ve recently started watching your videos and I love em, I want to make video essays and I was wondering if you guys could recommend a mic for me for 200 or under. It’s just tht it feels like there are thousands of options I’m not really knowledgeable about audio stuff so I wld just want a mic that sounds gd from the jump without me having to do a lot of processing afterwards

[@tombuck]

Honestly, the simplest route would probably be a USB mic. The Rode NT-USB+ is a great sounding option if you want to do a bit of software processing (it comes with software) and the Sennheiser Profile is my favorite overall USB mic that's just plug and play with no need to do much else. So happy the channel has been helpful!

[@tairiqueellis4841]

@@tombuck thanks for your reply tom appreciate it! You really make these videos so fun to watch!!

[@NerdAffiliated]

First tape may have been Grease for me too! Or Space Jam.

[@Eddylive]

Mind blown, what are you using to make the xlr mics wireless

[@tombuck]

Mostly the Sennheiser EW-DP, but Shure also let me try the XLSD3 👍

[@Eddylive]

@@tombuck nice! That's an amazing addition! I love xlr mics, the collection is growing, but I find the wireless mics a little boring so that could be the answer! Thank you

[@FlyAntelope2500]

Whaaaaat?! Boy Meets World. That’s what’s up 🤙🏽

[@ItsRyukin]

23:30 A tiny mic for an interview! 😆 I’ve seen these kind of stuff around, Looks familiar.

[@ItsBluebird]

I could have use that one as a camcorder myself! 😏

[@tombuck]

I think it's super popular on TikTok and Reels, but it was honestly really fun and sounds great!

[@ItsRyukin]

@@tombuck Imagine a tiny mic used for an interview, Haha.

[@svenlakemeier]

The Rode Interview Pro benefits from you talking into it close to your mouth. The SNR drops massive when it is held in the middle for most of the talk. Sure, good to be able to get the end of a sentence when the mic moves away, doing the whole interview like that I still don't recommend.

[@chrisw443]

The blackmagic joke got me. I can't stop giggling now. Darn tom! Shotgun mics are great handheld mics. They're all gonna sound pretty decent, but yeah UHF will always be better than 2.4. But if your not like walking 40 feet away from the camera, why would you, but also then its fine.

[@tombuck]

I had to make sure we were specifically in front of that booth before filming this 😅

[@AerialEmber]

Next time you're looking for an interview question, ask "What does the SM in SM58 (or SM7 etc) stand for?" Hint: it's NOT Shure Microphone.

[@hellounclesim]

Someone else got a pun off before Tom did! 🤯

[@fallinmor]

Hey! It’s going to be another good day, but also boo, now everyone will be doing interviews with the sm7b.

[@tombuck]

Haha, it would be interesting to see that become a trend 😅

[@fallinmor]

Thinking about it, it’s not that strange. I’ve seen people run around with shotgun mics on pistol grips. I wonder if there is a grip with a regular mic adapter.

[@jonathanramsey]

29:25 maybe we could say “2.4 GHz vs other UHF frequencies”, or “lower UHF frequencies”. There must be EEs at these companies that bristle at the Sales and Marketing folk talking about 2.4 GHz vs UHF (UHF is 300 MHz to 3.0 GHz). I still wonder if they’re using “UHF” as shorthand for “UHF TV band”, which currently is several bands between 300 MHz andand 616 MHz. Shure, though, has QLX/ULX bands in the 900 MHz ISM band. 2.4 GHz is also an ISM band, set aside for non-communications electromagnetic use, like microwave ovens, MRI, and radio telescopes. 2.4 GHz is just handy because it’s an ISM band worldwide. But, it’s higher frequency, so it doesn’t pass round or through obstacles as well -walls, cabinets, mammals.

[@tombuck]

It's definitely a complicated world that I only know the surface of. Allen from SoundSpeeds explained it all in depth to me once, but he started to sound like Charlie Brown's teacher after a while 😵‍💫

[@PatrickRambles]

Hearing all the birth years made me sad. *cries in 1981*

[@tombuck]

My initial impulse was to make a joke about "here's a chair grandpa, why don't you rest?" 😅 But 4 years really isn't that much of a difference...

[@Yusaku_VCP]

i saw that the tiny mic interviewing with Timothee Chalamet. hahaha about the wonka.

[@mattwruff]

How big of a backpack did you have? You are crazy! Don't do any, really but at FoxSports (NASCAR) we use the Sennheiser but with a better windscreen because it really LOUD! If I do I use the Rode handle with a Rode or DJI wireless underneath because when you do like 2 a year not worth buying one! Seriously how heavy was your backpack?

[@tombuck]

I was using the Tenba Fulton 14L with most of the mics in the roll top pouch. Honestly, it wasn't TOO heavy or painful...thankfully!

[@arnoldsnodgrass2953]

I think the overall lesson there is mic yourself and the guest separately!! The omni mics sounded feeble in between and had too much background audio. The cardioids sounded much better when pointed at the speaker but you’ll always get a guest who speaks before you’re pointing at them or as you move it away - and hosts who don’t understand how it works and who do the same!

[@tombuck]

If possible, that's definitely the way to go. I should've mentioned in the video though that I didn't process the audio, so this is just how the mics sounded straight out of camera. I think the omni mics can be a bit more powerful with some processing and voice isolation applies.

[@nicsteve]

For me, Shure SM58 did good job for background sound rejection

[@JonAdamsTech]

The only thing that sets the sm58 apart is that thing could be dropped out of a plane and still work.

[@jonathanramsey]

11:54 “Get in, Loser. We’re going shopping.”

[@jonathanramsey]

13:18 ok what about, “Sometimes, you just gotta say, ‘What the ****?’”

[@RandumbTech]

That $10 mic sounds stupid good. 😂

[@tombuck]

Right?! I kind of couldn't believe it.

[@MikeMena]

I thought heather was gonna say RUGRATS or DARIA for formative tv show lol (but those were mine I think)

[@tombuck]

Doug surprised me, but it makes total sense.

[@NerdAffiliated]

BTAS for the win.

[@gryftkin]

Is Heather immune to your puns by now? :D

[@tombuck]

I hope for her safety that the answer is yes.

[@roryonabike5863]

My interview mike, a DPA 2028 condenser (if you're Lewis Capaldi, you can also sing with it): kzbin.info/www/bejne/qJ66n4Cmbr-Zjsk

[@user-tp7lg5ik2v]

@17:07 Did you guys just leave her alone and you walked away?

[@Bruce-Weinberg]

T & H 🤣

[@VagPoop_]

sm-58 > anything else

[@PeterGregg]

All time: Play It Again Sam! 20 Years: Keep Your Pantyhose On!

[@mtmccornack]

Whenever I record my wife, she gets kinda fidgety, and since a fidget spinner would be distracting in frame, she gets a handhald in her hand...

[@noitisashley]

why did you shave :(

[@PaulFeinberg]

First!!

[@PaulFeinberg]

The doug theme song went into my head for sure.....Do....do...do... do do do! Spideman the animated series was my jam for sure. Also I watched Back to the Future the animated one because back to the future is da best! Also I am so excited for that WS14 Green pop filter! I wonder how it will look on a Rode Procaster lol Great video!