A parabolic microphone consists of a microphone element mounted at the focus of a parabolic reflector.
For their size, parabolic microphones are the most directional type of microphone available, making them the go-to choice for picking-up sound at long ranges. And they also make great DIY projects.
However, while there’s a lot of information online about parabolic mics, most of it overstates the achievable performance and ease of construction.
But here, you’ll find the detailed, objective technical information you’ll need to confidently choose or even build a parabolic microphone yourself.
If you’ve looked for long-range listening devices on Amazon or eBay, you’ve no doubt come across a cool-looking small parabolic microphone for just 40 dollars. Often marketed under the Hausbell, Podoy, YaeTek, or other brand…
Shotgun microphones (which are typically about a foot long) are used to pick up sounds at ranges of up to several feet, while parabolic microphones (which are typically about two feet in diameter) are used…
Here’s everything you need to know before building or buying a parabolic microphone, including key design considerations and the kind of performance you can realistically expect. I cover all that—and a lot more—in this post….