In the specialized realm of audio recording, parabolic microphones are unparalleled for their ability to capture distant sounds with remarkable clarity. By focusing sound waves onto a singular point, they excel in scenarios where direct mic placement is impractical—be it wildlife documentation, live sports, or surveillance. The market boasts a variety of models, each tailored to specific needs, from professional broadcasting to hobbyist explorations.
This article presents the 8 best parabolic microphones, highlighting their unique features and applications. Whether you’re a seasoned sound engineer or a nature enthusiast, our curated selection will guide you to the ideal parabolic microphone for your specific recording challenges.
Uses Of Parabolic Microphones
Here’s an overview of some of the primary uses of parabolic microphones:
- Wildlife Research: Capture animal sounds for study without disturbing habitats.
- Sports Broadcasting: Record on-field sounds, such as player calls and referee whistles, to enhance broadcasts.
- Surveillance: Gather audio evidence or monitor situations discreetly from a distance for law enforcement.
- Film and Theater Production: Obtain clear audio for films and plays without intrusive mics.
- Bird Watching: Document bird calls and songs in their natural environment.
8 Best Parabolic Microphones Available On The Market
1- Wildtronics Pro Mono-Stereo Parabolic Microphone
The Wildtronics Mono-Stereo Parabolic Microphone earns its place among the top parabolic microphones with its dual-mode functionality, allowing users to capture audio in both focused mono and ambient stereo formats. It boasts a 22-inch precision parabolic dish, which effectively isolates and amplifies sounds from afar while diminishing sidelobe interference. Its lightweight design enhances portability for field use, and integrated low-noise amplifiers ensure a pristine audio signal. The microphone’s versatility extends to compatibility with various devices, including cameras and recorders, courtesy of its multiple output options. Ideal for nature enthusiasts, sports broadcasters, and surveillance professionals, the Wildtronics Mono-Stereo exemplifies advanced audio technology crafted for discerning audio specialists.
Key specs:
- Three audio channels: Left, right, and super hyper-cardioid monaural
- XLR connector with standard pin configuration
- 22-inch diameter clear polycarbonate parabolic dish
- Lightweight and portable design
- Compatible with various devices, including cameras and recorders
- Built-in low-noise amplifiers for clear audio capture
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Combines mono and stereo recording for versatility.
- Durable design with versatile power options.
- Excellent sound isolation and clarity.
Cons:
- Higher price point.
2- Klover MiK 26 Parabolic Microphone
The Klover MiK 26 Parabolic Microphone holds its ground as an industry favorite, marking its presence on our list with its unparalleled focus on precision and performance. This microphone boasts a 26-inch diameter dish, capturing distant sounds of upto 600’ with outstanding clarity and focus. Its design is a testament to engineering excellence, offering broadcast-quality audio that meets the demanding standards of sports broadcasts and law enforcement surveillance alike. The Klover MiK 26’s robust construction ensures durability, while its compatibility with a wide range of microphone elements makes it versatile for various professional applications. A choice of major sporting networks, it exemplifies superior audio capture technology, merging high-grade materials with cutting-edge design.
Key specs:
- 26-inch diameter parabolic dish
- Broadcast-quality audio capture
- Durable construction for long-term use
- Compatible with a condenser or Lavalier microphone
- Designed for professional applications, including sports broadcasts and surveillance
- Ensures clear sound capture from a distance of up to 500-600 ft.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Professional-grade, focused sound capture.
- Robust construction suitable for field use.
Cons:
- Handheld
3- Sennheiser MKH 8070 with a Parabolic Dish
The Sennheiser MKH 8070, features a prime example of high-quality long-range audio capture. Known for capturing distant audio with absolute clarity, this shotgun microphone, coupled with a parabolic dish, magnifies sounds right in front of it while eliminating unwanted background noise. It delivers high-fidelity sound reproduction. It is known for directional audio capture with a simple and compact interface. Notably, its humidity-resistant design sets it apart, ensuring it performs impeccably even in challenging weather conditions. Its solid construction guarantees durability, and it is ideal for on-field use. Pairing it with a parabolic dish enhances its capture capabilities further, sealing its position as a top-notch candidate for advanced audio capture in professional settings.
Key specs:
- Long shotgun microphone with highly directional sound capture
- Advanced RF condenser design
- Background noise reduction with the dish
- Sensitivity: -19 dBV/Pa (112 mV/Pa)
- 18 inches in length, indicating a long-form factor suited for focused capture
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Exceptional sound quality with long-range capability.
- Extremely directional
- Well-suited for professional sports and nature recording.
Cons:
- Not inherently designed for parabolic use; it requires additional setup.
4- Telinga Stereo MK3 with Telinga Parabolic Dish
The Telinga Stereo MK3 represents the latest innovation in the lineage of Telinga’s distinguished microphones, evolving from the iconic Telinga Stereo DAT. This omnidirectional microphone boasts an intricate configuration of 8 microphone elements arranged in two pairs (left/right), divided by a 4.5-inch plate. Such design allows it to capture sounds at the focus of a parabolic dish with unparalleled equality, delivering a balance between focused sounds and ambient noise in a stereo format. This unique Telinga concept achieves a natural, low-noise sound profile that is remarkably tolerant to high Sound Pressure Levels (SPL), ensuring minimal distortion even in the most demanding environments. Compatible with Telinga dishes and handles, the Stereo MK3 thrives in capturing rich, detailed soundscapes, setting a new benchmark for quality in omnidirectional parabolic microphone technology.
Key specs:
- Omnidirectional microphone
- sound capture from the focus of a parabolic dish and ambient noise in stereo
- Very low distortion and high SPL tolerance.
- It is compatible with Telinga dishes and handles; dish not included
- Its design involves 8 microphone elements separated by a 4.5-inch plate, promoting balanced sound capture.
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Offers immersive stereo sound capture.
- High quality built
- low distortion and high SPL tolerance.
Cons:
- Parabolic dish and handles are not included.
5- G-PKS PRO EX Parabolic Microphone
The G-PKS PRO EX parabolic microphone is engineered for professionals requiring discreet long-range listening capabilities, particularly for speech and human voice conversations. This cutting-edge device comes equipped with a fully transparent 20-inch parabolic dish designed to blend into the environment, rendering the microphone’s operation virtually invisible from a distance. It boasts a wide frequency response and a highly directional capture pattern, ensuring precise sound acquisition. The G-PKS PRO EX ensures continuous operation up to 2-3 hours on a single set of AA batteries, with options for external power supply and rechargeable battery packs. Additional features include a removable wind filter and the versatility of portable or stationary use with a professional tripod.
Key specs:
- A fully transparent 20″ parabolic dish for inconspicuous operation
- Broad 20Hz-20Khz frequency response
- Highly directional capture pattern
- USB 2.0 integration for seamless digital voice file transfer and editing
- Comes with a removable wind filter and a professional tripod for both portable and stationary use.
Pros and Cons:
- Good directional audio capture.
- Includes accessories for immediate use.
Cons:
- Less known brand
6- Sound Shark Parabolic Microphone
The Sound Shark Parabolic Microphone offers a unique solution for capturing long-range audio while maintaining a compact and portable design. Ideal for videographers, sports enthusiasts, and wildlife observers, this microphone dramatically enhances the reach of audio capture, making distant sounds appear closer and clearer. Equipped with a 9-inch parabolic dish, the Sound Shark focuses on sound waves from a specific direction, isolating the subject from surrounding noise. Its compatibility with a wide range of Lavalier microphones increases its adaptability for various recording scenarios. The Sound Shark boasts ease of use, fitting onto standard camera hot shoes for immediate, on-the-go functionality. Its water-resistant design ensures reliability in diverse environments, making it a versatile tool for anyone needing high-quality audio from afar without the bulk and setup complexity of traditional parabolic microphones.
Key specs:
- 9-inch diameter for focused audio capture
- Lightweight and portable for field use
- Highly directional capture isolates subject sounds from ambient noise
- Simple setup
Pros and Cons:
- Compact design ideal for DSLR camera mounting.
- Good for capturing at a distance.
- Water resistant
Cons:
- Sound quality might be affected in windy conditions.
7- TARSHYRY Parabolic Microphone
The TARSHYRY Parabolic Microphone epitomizes innovation in the realm of outdoor recording, particularly tailored for avid birdwatchers. Central to its design is an energy-efficient switch circuit, minimizing power consumption and extending usage periods – it’s advisable to remove the battery when not in operation to conserve energy further. Constructed from ABS engineering plastic, both its internal and external framework promise durability, topped off with a sleek black finish and rubber anti-slip coating for a secure grip in all conditions. Sound fidelity is a standout feature, with less than 0.6% headphone waveform distortion ensuring crystal-clear audio capture that authentically reproduces the natural ambiance. Its lightweight and compact build enhances portability, making it an indispensable tool for birdwatching enthusiasts who value convenience, clarity, and reliability in their auditory explorations.
Key specs:
- Effective up to 200 meters in quiet environments
- Integrated noise elimination feature
- Constructed from durable ABS engineering plastic
- Captures frequency range 20Hz – 20000Hz
- Less than 4% waveform distortion
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Affordable option for amateur users.
- Decent sound capture for the price.
Cons:
- Build and sound quality not up to professional standards.
- Limited functionality and features.
8 – Wildtronics Pro Mono Parabolic Microphone
The Wildtronics Pro Mono Parabolic Microphone is a state-of-the-art audio capturing tool, meticulously designed for high-fidelity field recordings. This device stands out with its advanced foam suspension system, aimed at minimizing handling noise and dish vibration, thus delivering pristine sound quality. It is built to accommodate easy mounting on tripods, thanks to the integrated metal 1/4-20 threads at its base, enhancing its versatility across recording scenarios. Users benefit from dual power options: an internal 9V battery or external phantom power, offering flexibility in various operational settings. Crafted from durable materials, this microphone is built to last and fulfill the needs of audio professionals and enthusiasts seeking top-tier performance and reliability in their recordings. Its ergonomic design and high-quality audio capture make it an invaluable asset for capturing natural sounds and voices with clarity and depth.
Key specs:
- Lightweight 22” parabolic dish made of polycarbonate
- Balanced XLR and 3.5mm output
- Advanced foam suspension to minimize handling noise and dish vibration
- Features built-in metal 1/4-20 threads at the handle base for easy tripod mounting
- Can operate using external phantom power or through an internal, replaceable 9V battery
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- High-quality mono audio capture with clear focus.
- Durable and versatile mounting options.
- Windshield included
Cons:
- Monophonic output limits the scope of use.
Bonus Recommendation: Hollyland Lark C1
While not a parabolic microphone, the Hollyland Lark C1 deserves an honorary mention as an ultra-compact, premium wireless lavalier microphone, superb for on-the-go audio recording, especially with iPhones. This microphone excels with an extensive 32-hour battery life, ensuring day-long recordings without pauses. Fitted with advanced sound processing technologies and an MFi-certified Lightning interface, it guarantees seamless audio capture of uncompromising quality over distances up to 650ft (200m).
One-Step Wireless Microphone for Mobile Phone.
Furthermore, the Lark C1 supports simultaneous charging of both transmitter and receiver units during use. Remarkably, the receiver can also charge your iPhone while recording, making it an invaluable tool for users seeking flawless, long-duration audio capture without the fear of power outages.
Key specs:
- Instant setup with clip-on transmitters and integrated omnidirectional microphones
- One-touch ambient noise reduction for clear audio
- Receiver directly connects to device’s USB-C port
- Intuitive adjustment through plug-and-play LarkSound app
- High-quality sound with 48 kHz, 16-bit sampling rate
- Impressive wireless range up to 656ft
Pros and Cons:
Pros:
- Small and discreet units for unobtrusive use.
- Offers hours of continuous use on a single charge.
- Instant plug-and-play functionality with a simple interface.
- Clear sound capture with low latency.
- Works seamlessly with a range of USB-C devices.
Cons:
- Operates in the crowded 2.4 GHz band, which can lead to potential interference.
- Direct connectivity is limited to devices with USB-C, potentially excluding some users.
How To Choose A Parabolic Microphone?
When selecting a parabolic microphone, you might wish to consider several factors to ensure the device fits your requirements:
- Purpose: The intended use of the microphone (for wildlife observation, sports broadcasting, surveillance, etc.) will greatly impact the choice you make.
- Sensitivity and Frequency Response: You should consider how sensitive the microphone is and its frequency response. These should correspond with the types of sounds you plan to capture.
- Size of the Parabola: The parabola’s size is essential – a larger one can capture more sound but may also be bulkier and harder to transport.
- Type of Microphone: There are different types of microphones, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Your choice should account for this factor.
- Durability: For outdoor uses, a microphone made of durable, weather-resistant materials would be more advantageous.
- Accessories: Some microphones come with useful accessories such as carrying cases, mounts, or wind guards.
- Pricing: Consider your budget in relation to the microphone’s features and specifications.
Conclusion
In conclusion, selecting the best parabolic microphone from the array of options available requires a careful consideration of your specific needs, the environments in which you’ll be recording, and the audio quality you aim to achieve. Whether you’re a wildlife enthusiast capturing the nuanced sounds of nature, a sports coach analyzing gameplay from a distance, or a professional in surveillance seeking clarity and discretion, there’s a parabolic microphone designed to meet your requirements. From highly sensitive models capable of picking up the faintest whisper from across a field, to those offering rugged durability for outdoor expeditions, each of the 7 best parabolic microphones listed provides a unique set of features tailored to different applications. Remember, the key to choosing the right one lies in matching its specifications and strengths to the demands of your projects, ensuring that you capture every sound with the utmost clarity and precision.
