Shotgun Microphones for Broadcast: A Look at the Shure VP89 and VP82

From the HD Pro Guide Magazine archive: this article first appeared in HD Pro Guide Magazine, Vol. 2, No. 5 (2014).

Shure VP89 and VP82 Shure Incorporated has responded to the needs of the broadcast/media production industry and has four professional shotgun microphones in its broadcast and media production portfolio. The VP89 (available in three interchangeable lengths: long, medium, and short) and VP82 provide the exceptional audio quality Shure is known for as well as flexibility for use in a wide range of professional media production applications. The VP89 models (VP89/L, VP89/M, and VP89/S) are professional shotgun microphones for use in critical sound capture media production applications. Featuring superior Shure design and rugged, roadworthy construction, the versatile and lightweight VP89 models suit a variety of production needs. "The VP89 was designed with interchangeable long, medium, and short barrel lengths," says Chad Wiggins, Category Manager for Wired Products at Shure. "We knew industry pros wanted different size options for shotgun microphones, and that’s what we've created with the VP89. But it's not just about the modularity – all three models provide incredible audio quality with low coloration of off-axis sound for very natural ambient audio." The VP89/L is ideal for use during sporting events or field recording, as it targets sources of high volume over long distances. The VP89/M, offering a wider target aperture for higher ambience, is well suited for audience response, talk shows, and live concerts. The VP89/S is perfect for camera mounting and features a wide pickup angle for the highest ambience. The compact and lightweight VP82 provides excellent off-axis rejection for use in sound capture and reinforcement in camera-mounted A/V media production applications. With an integrated preamplifier design, the VP82 offers extraordinary performance and exceptional value.

"All of our shotgun microphones are lightweight, can withstand the elements, and they just sound amazing," adds Wiggins. "They're perfect for the user looking for rugged, reliable utility tools that provide the exceptional sound quality only Shure can offer. When you're on location, you want microphones you can depend on, even when there are environmental challenges. These get the job done."

The VP89 and VP82 continue the 25-year legacy of the SM89, Shure's well-known and respected long shotgun microphone. Unique features of the VP89 (L, M, and S) Shotgun Microphone include:

• Updated technology, including state-of-the-art preamplifier redesign with RF immunity
• Modularity: interchangeable long, medium, and short capsules available
• Smaller footprint: significantly shorter and more lightweight
• Durable carrying case and foam windscreen (included)
• Full range of optional complementary accessories, including a unique A89U space-saving "double-barrel" adapter
• Shure VP89 and VP82 Unique features of the VP82 Shotgun
• Microphone include: Integrated preamplifier design (not modular)
• Wide aperture for near-field sound sources
• Provides natural off-axis rejection
• Zipper pouch and foam windscreen (included)

Tell us about the vp89 and vp82 shotgun mics.

Shure: These are highly directional microphones suitable for ENG, film, documentary, sports, voiceover, and sound reinforcement applications. They are extremely rugged, reliable, field-tested tools that not only offer fantastic on-axis audio, but also very natural off-axis rejection.

What advantages do the vp89 and vp82 have over other shotgun mics that are in a similar market?

Shure: These shotgun mics offer Shure audio quality and rugged reliability people have come to expect from all of our products. They can operate at extremely low phantom power levels; down to 11 volts direct current. The 89 series are hand-tuned by the operators during the manufacturing process; this means that each mic is extremely natural sounding. They also have extremely low self-noise.

If you can SHAre a Few tips for capturing audio with the vp89 and vp82, what would they be?

Shure: Shotgun microphones are extremely sensitive condenser microphones therefore they are very susceptible to handling noise. Any real world professional use of a shotgun mic should always include a suspension/isolation solution to avoid unwanted handling noise. Also, you have to be prepared for the environment. If you are outdoors you need to “kit these mics up”, as they say, with a zeppelin, blimpie, or windjammer solution, of which we offer a complete series that we developed in conjunction with Rycote: the world’s premiere manufacturer of wind isolation and mounting solutions.

What are some shotgun mic do’s and don’ts?

Shure: Do choose the right shotgun for the application: they come in different lengths that correspond to their directivity. Make sure you’re using the appropriate directivity for the application. For instance, if your subject is distant, it may make more sense to use a longer shotgun; not because its pickup is farther but because it’s better at rejecting the sound to the sides between you and the source. If you use the same type of long shotgun in a very close proximity setting, not only will you be susceptible to the reflections due to the increased rear lobe that longer shotguns tend to exhibit, but their narrow pickup pattern means that even the slightest move off axis by the boom operator can result in a very dramatic drop in the audio. Do always be “kitted up”. Do have balanced XLR connectors.

How much does the vp89 and vp82 cost, and where are they available for purchase?

Shure: The VP82 has an MSRP of $374 ($299 street price) and the VP89 has an MSRP ranging from $874-1249 depending on the length ($699-999 street price).

Will you be exhibiting the vp89 and vp82 at any of the upcoming tradeshows?

Shure: The next tradeshow that we will be exhibiting the VP89 and VP82 will be NAB.

“our microphones are a really compelling solution for this space because of their durable build quality, low self-noise, and fantastic audio quality. what’s really critical in developing a shotgun microphone and what you learn after trying a couple of them out is that they vary widely in the control of their off-axis pattern. A well designed shotgun does not exhibit the artifacts due to comb filtering of the off- axis information. All shotguns can sound good on axis. what separates a good shotgun from a bad shotgun is how the off-axis information sounds. It’s the stuff you’re not primarily listening to but the stuff you’re trying to reject and you can pretty quickly hear the difference between a quality shotgun and not-so-quality shotgun when you try them against one another, side by side. There are a lot of shotguns out there in the market and ours are tuned to have a very natural response in the off-axis space.”

~Shure specs VP89 type: electret Condenser Frequency response, VP89l: 40-20,000 Hz;

Vp89m: 50-20,000 Hz; vp89s: 65-20,000 Hz

Polar Pattern, Hypercardioid / lobar Impedance, 115 ohms

Sensitivity, 21.1 mv/pa

VP82 type: electret Condenser Frequency response, 90 to 20,000 Hz Polar Pattern, Supercardioid / lobar Impedance, 144 Ω For more information, visit: www.shure.com.

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