Azden SMX-30 Super-Cardioid Stereo Mono Microphone

Features:

• Switch between stereo and mono microphones
• Level adjustment: -10dB, 0dB, +20dB
• +20dB gain booster alleviates noise produced by low-quality camera preamps
• -10dB pad for loud sound environments
• Low-cut filter selectable at 120Hz, 3dB/octave
• Operates on (2) AA batteries
• Low noise, high sensitivity, wide frequency response
• Custom, detachable foam windscreen
• Integrated shock-absorbing shoe-mount with 1/4"-20 thread
• Battery indicator LED light
• 3.5mm stereo mini-jack output

The SMX-30 is stereo/mono switchable, so you don't have to. Housed inside an innovative casing, the SMX-30 is actually two microphones packaged into one. The stereo microphone is positioned at the top and consists of 2 cardioid polar pattern microphone elements spaced apart at a 120º angle for capturing a natural sounding stereo image. The mono microphone uses a super-cardioid polar pattern to focus on sound in front of the camera and is equipped with the same high-quality element as Azden's SGM-250 shotgun microphone to record broadcast quality sound. The audio controls on DSLR cameras are limited, if they exist at all. And DSLRs are notoriously known to have low-quality microphone preamps that add noise to the video soundtrack when the gain is turned up. That's why Azden designed the SMX-30 with a +20dB gain booster; so you can get a strong, clean audio signal into your camera, minimizing the need to turn up the noisy preamp. Also included is a -10dB pad to protect against distortion when recording in loud environments such as live concerts and motorsport events. The SMX-30 has a wide frequency response ranging from 40Hz to 20kHz, so the audio you capture will sound full and natural. Additionally, a low-cut filter switch is included for reducing the level of low frequencies below 120Hz, which is especially useful for mitigating noise caused by air conditioners, wind and traffic. The SMX-30 is powered by two AA batteries; a lower cost option than the 9V battery that is used in some competitor microphones. The SMX-30 can achieve 24 hours of operation with a single set of batteries with absolutely no degradation of sound quality. The battery indicator LED light lets you know when it's time to change batteries with up to a 1 hour warning. Maximize battery life by using the unique "Auto" power setting. When set to Auto, the SMX-30 can detect when a camera is on and will automatically power on and off with the camera (requires a mic input that provides plug-in power). Ever leave your microphone on by accident to discover that the batteries are dead the next time you try to use it? Eliminate that possibility by always leaving the SMX-30 in "Auto" mode. Integrated into the design of the SMX-30 is a custom made, shock absorbing shoe mount to isolate the microphone from camera motor and handling noise. The mount is designed to fit the standard camera shoe and comes with a ¼"-20 thread at the bottom for mounting to boom poles and other camera accessories.