Professional Shotgun Microphone at an Amateur Price
Review by Erik Vlietinck
YouTubers, photographers shooting wedding videos, broadcast sound persons, and filmmakers all need to record sound, and need or want the best possible results. Equipment that exceeds the basic technical requirements is essential to reach that lofty goal. A microphone is one of the most important links in the chain from the sound you capture to the audio the viewer/listener hears from their speakers. Professional-grade microphones usually are highly expensive, but the Deity S-Mic 2 is an exception that proves the rule.
Here’s a shotgun-type mic that fits the “professional” label even for the most demanding users. The S-Mic 2 is made of interference-free brass, weighing in at 198g (0.44 lbs.) at 250mm. It comes in a waterproof hard case with a basic shock mount and foam wind screen, and it’s available for a small premium with a Rycote InVision Softie Lyre Mount and a Deity fur windjammer as well. The mic has a frequency range of 50–20,000 Hz and an extremely low self-noise of 12dB(A) at 130dB maximum SPL.
I got to test the basic version, and I must say it was a real pleasure. For starters, the S-Mic 2 proved to have a very nicely balanced frequency response with enough lows to capture a human voice in all its glory. The low self-noise figure is no marketing trick.
A shotgun must reject signals not coming from ahead and the S-Mic 2 performs well, with the off-axis noise rejection a bit worse than you might expect at 180°, but still very manageable.
In short, the Deity S-Mic 2 not only has professional specs, but also sounds great. Its closest competitor is the Sennheiser MKH-416, which is almost three times as expensive. ■
