Sony ECM-M1 Shotgun Microphone Introduced

Audio News

by Jeff LochJuly 12^th, 2023

Alongside the Sony a6700 launch, the company has also released a new cableless microphone: the ECM-M1. This compact and lightweight microphone has an interesting dial at the back, allowing you to choose from no less than eight different pickup patterns, from ultra-directional/hyper cardioid to omnidirectional. So let’s take a closer look at this 8-in-1 microphone!

The Sony Multi-Interface Shoe, also called MI Shoe, was introduced in 2012. This kind of hot-shoe is implemented inside various Sony mirrorless and cinema cameras, including the Sony a7S III, a7R V, and FX3, FX30, FX6, and FX9 cinema cameras, to list a few.

The MI Shoe allows you to connect accessories to your Sony camera without cables or batteries. Indeed, the camera will power the accessory and communicate data with it. This means that if you connect an MI-compatible microphone to your camera, the sound from the microphone is recorded by the camera cable-free.

Last year, Sony launched the ECM-G1 shotgun microphone for vloggers and the ECM-B10 digital shotgun microphone. This time, the company returns with a lighter, more compact MI microphone: the Sony ECM-M1.

Sony ECM-M1 features

With dimensions of only 64.4 x 40.0 x 72.2mm for a weight of 65g/2.29oz, the least we can say is that the Sony ECM-M1 won’t make much difference on top of your camera. Like other Sony MI microphones, the ECM-M1 features a built-in shock/vibration mount to reduce low-frequency vibrations. The microphone comes with a fur-type windscreen to help in windy outdoor conditions.

However, compared to other Sony microphones, this new model features four capsules in a diamond shape.

The layout of the microphone capsules allows you to select from no less than eight pickup patterns via a dial at the back of the ECM-M1. Depending on the scene you’re shooting, you’ll be able to choose from the following:

• Ultra-directional: the narrowest pickup pattern, ideal for interviews or when you’re shooting a vlog, for example.
• Super-directional: a little bit wider, perfect for streaming video setups.
• Uni-directional: to record conferences and meetings.
• Omni-directional: record sound at 360°.
• Rear super-directional: similar to super-directional, but only recording what’s happening at the back of the microphone.
• Front and rear super-directional: perfect when recording interviews; it records the microphone’s front (channel 1) and back (channel 2) to adjust audio levels in post.
• Stereo: a general wide left/right mode to record moving objects or music/theatrical performances, for example.

What is nice is that the Sony ECM-M1 allows you to record four audio channels. Channels 1 and 2 are set to the audio recording mode you select via the dial, channel 3 is an omni-directional backup recording, and channel 4 is a -20db safety recording of channel 3.

On the left side of the ECM-M1, you’ll also find a filter switch with two modes: low-cut filter and noise-cut filter. Sony says the noise cut filter “removes unpleasant noise through digital signal processing.”

Price and availability

The Sony ECM-M1 will be available this month for $348/€400. In the box, you’ll find a soft pouch, the microphone, a windscreen, and an MI Shoe cover.

For more information, please visit Sony’s website here.

What do you think about this new Sony microphone? Do you often use MI microphones? Don’t hesitate to let us know in the comments down below!