TAKSTAR SGC-598 – Ultra Budget Shotgun Mic
I spotted this a couple of days ago and from the tests I’ve heard it looks like one to add to our list of Affordable Shotgun Mics. This microphone is direct competition for RØDE’s VideoMic Pro, which normally costs around $250.
Check Price of SGC-598 on Amazon
Like the VideoMic Pro, this mic is aimed at DSLR users and is designed to be mounted on top of the camera. This mic can be used with all video and digital SLR cameras with a 3.5mm jack input.
The Takstar SGC-598 offers a heart-shaped cardioid pattern which means sound is picked up mostly from the front, but to a lesser extent the sides as well. In addition, the unit features a low-cut filter and 0dB/10dB gain control.
From listening to the tests online, I would say the quality isn’t a match for the RØDE but it’s pretty close. So, if the idea of paying $250 to get decent audio is making you feel pain then…
To my ears, the RØDE has a deeper sound quality, as it picks up those lower frequencies better than the Takstar. This is often the case with low budget mics, they start to make the voice sound a bit “metallic” once those lower end frequencies start to go missing.
Of course, you might want to remove them anyway when you are mixing the sound track, to remove any bass rumble or lower frequency background noise. It sometimes helps to add a high pass filter when mixing the voice. Having said that, it’s nice to have the choice – because keeping those lower frequencies gives the voice a richer, warmer sound which is nicer on the ear.
For the price, this is an excellent shotgun mic. You might consider one for use as a backup mic, mounted to your camera in case other mics fail or have noise issues. Or you could certainly use it as your main mic, in most situations you’d use a shotgun mic.
You can also connect to a smartphone, although mounting would require some extra grip and clips. Either that or use an extender cable and maybe attach it to a boom or stand – depending on your needs.
In this video below, they talk you through mounting the Takstar SGC-598 to a boom. You also get a sample of audio in a filmmaking with actors situation. In the test sample recording dialogue in a small room you can hear some reflections from the walls, which is always tricky even with expensive shotguns.
Remember this is a very affordable mic, so Soderbergh isn’t going to hire you as a sound recordist for his next feature if you show up with this. However, in our low-to-no budget world, there are uses for this mic.
In addition to using it as a camera mounted back up, you could also have it as an extra back up boom mic, whilst using lavaliers clipped to the actors.
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