Line and Gradient Compact Shotgun Condenser Microphone

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Recommended uses for product Streaming, Singing
Brand Audio-Technica
Model name AT897
Connectivity technology Wired
Connector type XLR
Special feature Stand
Compatible devices Camcorder, Camera
Colour Black
Included components battery, microphone
Polar pattern Line-gradient

About this item

  • Provides the narrow acceptance angle desirable for long-distance sound pickup
  • Designed for video production and broadcast (ENG/EFP) audio acquisition
  • Short length (11") ensures mic stays out of the shot -- even when used with compact digital cameras
  • Smooth, natural-sounding on-axis audio quality
  • Excellent sound rejection from the sides and rear of mic

Product description

Audio-Technica’s AT897 is designed for field audio acquisition in film/TV/video production, professional recording, wildlife recording and broadcast applications. It mounts conveniently on a DV camcorder without adding noticeable heft, and remains out of the frame even with compact digital cameras. This high-performance short shotgun offers outstanding long-distance audio pickup due to narrow acceptance angle of line + gradient design. It also features smooth, natural-sounding on-axis audio quality and excellent off-axis rejection of sound arriving from the sides and rear of mic.

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Line and Gradient Compact Shotgun Condenser Microphone

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Customer reviews

4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
148 global ratings

Top review from Canada

Marc Wagner
5.0 out of 5 stars Nice sound
Reviewed in Canada on October 13, 2021
Verified Purchase
Works well in the field.
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Top reviews from other countries

Tommy W
4.0 out of 5 stars Great mic, great price
Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 29, 2015
Verified Purchase
Wow. Great mic, great price. Broadcast quality and works a charm with my Tascam field recorder.
One person found this helpful
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TriggerHappy
5.0 out of 5 stars Pro quality, affordable pricing
Reviewed in the United States on December 30, 2012
Verified Purchase
Clean, true sound. Great at reducing surrounding ambient noise, other than in front, of course.
Excellent build and finish. All metal, yet very lightweight. Made in Japan.
Comes in a nice case; way too big though. (Obviously one size case for all the longer shotgun mics)
The nice thing is, you can cut out the foam in the extra space and put other small accessories and store it in the case.
Even the mic stand adapter is quality construction.
The supplied wind screen helps cut down moderate wind or close breathing noises but you will still need a deadcat or zepplin: For me, it is quite useful as a protective cushion for the mic more than a wind diffuser.
In the similar price range: I have also used a few Rode shotgun mics and I think this AT has a slightly "cleaner, crisper" sound pickup than the Rodes, although not as sensitive at picking up sounds from far away, in comparison.
In the higher price range: I have used Sennheiser and Sony, and to be honest, I don't notice much difference in audio quality or sensitivity with those that are 2X-3X more the price!
Then again, I am not recording anything critical or scientific. Just human voices and ambient sounds.
Listening through AT and Panasonic studio headphones on a Zoom H4.
16 people found this helpful
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Nathaniel Parker
5.0 out of 5 stars Great MIC
Reviewed in the United States on February 10, 2024
Verified Purchase
I switched to using this mic for my streaming area, and ABSOLUTELY love it. No more mic in the camera! Great quality, and have it hooked into my GoXlr Mini
One person found this helpful
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Tim
5.0 out of 5 stars Solid!!
Reviewed in the United States on May 12, 2023
Verified Purchase
Great microphone! Picks up even the sound of my swallowing. I love this microphone, it's directional and a quality mic!
One person found this helpful
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Chef Daddy
4.0 out of 5 stars Works well with Zoom H4n. Very happy.
Reviewed in the United States on October 21, 2012
Verified Purchase
Probably a five star microphone actually. I'm really happy. The only reason I gave it four stars is I don't have enough experience to compare it to the other options. It's not small, but not really very big either.

I bought this and the Azden Universal Shock-mount Shotgun Microphone Holder ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EW1LLG/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i00 ) with the GLS Audio 25 foot Mic Cable Patch Cords - XLR Male to XLR Female Black Microphone Cables - 25' Balanced Mike Snake Cord - Single ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B003JJQMD8/ref=oh_details_o05_s00_i01 ) to capture cleaner interview vocals in a loud environment at the some time as getting the full sound on the H4n. No complaints, except that I should have bought two for full stereo input on the second set of channels. The case is nice, the recording level is good, the signal is clean. It takes a little more input gain (record level) than the normal onboard mic's but it's not problematic at all. If you want to mod the case foam, you can fit a couple more very small items in there, which I may do when I decide exactly what I'm going to be using regularly.

In the case is a battery, the mic, the foam wind muff (not really effective for outdoors, you will need a good Dead Cat or similar), the mic stand holder, and a 5/8" to 3/8" threaded adapter. They all have their own little spot in the foam, so I take the battery out every time, for longer life.

The Azden mic holder came with extra rubber gaskets (nice) and it holds the AT897 mic perfectly on the camera hot shoe. if your XLR cable is really light, or it doesn't exert too much force (don't let it hang freely without some kind of support), then it stay's nicely centered, and secure.
11 people found this helpful
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