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As an Canon EOS R6 video creator one of the most important jobs to get right is sound. A viewer will tolerate a video with poor quality and good sound. But they won’t stand for a video with poor sound no matter how good the picture quality is. That’s why you need to know what is the best microphone for the Canon R6.
If you’re in a rush then I’ll give the spoiler alert with my main recommendation linked below, the Rode Video Mic Pro Plus:
- Still with the best-in-class Rycote Lyre suspension system onboard, the VideoMic Pro improves on the existing VideoMic Pro capsule/line tube and windshield, plus boasts a host of new features.
- Automatic Power Function (with plug-in power availability) is perfect for the run-and-gun shooter, automatically turning the microphone off when unplugged from the camera.
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
So while this mic is the best overall mic it might be too expensive or too bulky for your specific needs, so let’s delve a little further to work out the best microphone of the Canon R6 for all budgets and situations.
Table of Contents
Which Type of Microphone is Best
In this article I’m going to mention two types of microphones which are lavalier mics and shotgun mics, but I’ll be focusing on the latter.
The advantage of shotgun microphones over lavalier mics is that shotgun mics are relatively simpler to use and require less setup. You pop it on the camera hotshoe and plug it into the mic jack and you’re good to go. In my experience shotgun mics are more reliable. And lastly lavalier mics, even when hidden, still don’t look good.
The main advantage of lavalier microphones over a shotgun mic is better audio over a longer distance. The effectiveness of the shotgun mic drops the further away you are from the subject.
For most needs a shotgun mic is the better all-purpose option. And in the case of the subject being too far for a shot gun mic to reach I would use an external sound recorder like the H1N:
- Streamlined body with matte finish and newly designed protective mic enclosure
- Built-in stereo condenser microphones in 90-Degree x/Y format
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
As someone who has used a few shotgun mics over several years now, there are a few additional specs that are a MUST for a good camera microphone:
- The always on function
- A low pass filter setting
- -10/+20dB Setting
These microphones below satisfy the above specs:
Best Microphone for the Canon R6 – Rode Video Mic Pro+
The all-purpose, go to, shotgun microphone for all cameras. The Rode Video Mic Pro+ has taken all the issues of it’s predecessor and improved on it to deliver the most capable microphone on the market today.
- Still with the best-in-class Rycote Lyre suspension system onboard, the VideoMic Pro improves on the existing VideoMic Pro capsule/line tube and windshield, plus boasts a host of new features.
- Automatic Power Function (with plug-in power availability) is perfect for the run-and-gun shooter, automatically turning the microphone off when unplugged from the camera.
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The previous Rode Video Mic Pro is still an excellent microphone for about 77% of the price of the Pro+. That’s around a 23% price increase for essentially a slightly better mic.
The Rode Video Mic Pro+ doesn’t have an on function like the original Rode Video Mic Pro, but will automatically switch on once plugged in. This means you won’t run into the much derided issue of filming an entire video and accidentally not switching on your mic.
Now it’s one less thing you need to worry about.
And with 10Hrs of stated battery time on one charge, you can keep recording for a long time. Rode now use a new LB-1 lithium battery rated for 100Hrs of total use. You charge the battery using a supplied Micro USB cable, which also allows for an external power bank to power the mic.
The Pro+ actually uses a new inbuilt battery door. This is actually a big deal. Any owner of the Rode Video Mic Pro will tell you of the infamous battery door which was a nightmare to open.
Again, this is another thing you don’t need to worry about.
A few other notable changes are the shock mount has been further improved. The previous generation mic was actually the second iteration, with the shock mounts being the main improvement over the first gen mic.
The bigger muffler means slightly better sound too. But this is at the expense of having a larger footprint. The Pro+ is significantly bigger.
Best Alternative Mic – Rode Video Mic Pro
If it weren’t for the dodgy battery door and always on function of the Pro+ then the original (2nd Gen) Mic Pro is just as good. It is certainly just as good when it comes to sound quality.
- A true shotgun microphone designed for camcorders, DSLR cameras and portable audio recorders as primary and reference audio
- The 1/2" condenser capsule provides broadcast-quality audio via a 3.5mm connector with an incredibly low self-noise of just 14db
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I couldn’t tell the difference to be honest, the Pro+ might have a little edge in sound quality, but it’s not night and day and at the end of the day that’s the main thing that needs to be right.
The only reason to get the regular Pro is if you have a smaller budget, because the jammy door and always on function are not deal breakers. I have used this mic for several years and they’re not issues that frustrate me.
The battery lasts so long I don’t have to change the battery often. And it’s only very rarely that I forget to switch the mic on. But it does happen.
Best Budget Mic – Rode Video Mic Go II
I had the first gen version of this budget offering from Rode, and I cannot complain one bit. It was a great microphone for the price. When it comes to smaller budgets I would recommend this as the best microphone for the Canon R6.
- The VideoMic GO II is a compact, lightweight, easy-to-use shotgun microphone for capturing professional quality audio with ease
- 3.5mm TRS output for use with cameras and a digital USB output for use with smartphones, tablets and computers
Last update on 2023-11-29 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
The second gen mic is now super small and light (89g), and for a small package it really packs a punch when it comes to sound quality.
Unlike my old Mic Go you can now power this mic, like the Pro+, using a power bank. You can even use the USB C port to connect the microphone to your computer making it a fully functional USB microphone to use on videos and podcasts etc.
And a huge pro is the aways on function when you plug it in, you’re ready to go.
The 3.5mm output can then be used to plug in some head phones to listen to your audio.
The big issue is that to change any settings for the mic you have to do so on the computer which obviously isn’t ideal in a run and gun situation.
Best Microphone Settings for the Canon R6
Simply attaching the microphone to the Canon R6 hot shoe isn’t actually everything you need to do. There are a few steps you need to do on the microphone and in camera, settings wise, to get the best audio.
Rode Microphone Settings for indoor audio:
– Switch on the High Pass filter (this removes all the frequencies below 80Hz, these are sounds like air con, noise from the window etc. i.e. low sounds)
– Select +20Db (This can be interchanged with 0Db, 20Db boosts the sound 20 decibels amplifying the sound. I compensate for this in camera reducing the Rec. level. The amps in camera suck!)
Canon R6 Settings for indoor audio:
– Select Film mode on the top dial
– In the Menu go to Shoot 1/page 1
– Select Sound Recording
– In Sound Recording, select Sound rec. to Manual
– In Rec. level select 4 notches from the left (you are reducing the gain to compensate for the 20Db amplified in the mic).
What I am essentially doing with these settings is reducing the use of the in camera amps which are always terrible and using the microphone to boost the sound levels but still maintaining crisp audio.
The more you increase the gain in camera the more hiss and static you will hear. The better microphones like Rode will reduce this.
For outdoor settings, which is normally a louder environment, I would generally reduce the Db level to 0Db on the microphone and then dial in the gain in camera. This setting will always be dependent on how loud your environment is. But as a general rule of thumb, the louder it is the less gain you need.
Finally
I hope this article helps you decide which is the best microphone for your R6. I have enjoyed using Rode microphones for over a decade. They have never let me down.
Check out my full Canon R6 article for more about this underrated camera and for more important R6 tools check out my R6 accessories article.
How is my sound quality? Decide for yourself on my YouTube channel, which has even more great content for creative businesses.
Artist / Photographer / Videographer