Sony ECM-M1 Reference guide
Help Guide
Shotgun Microphone
ECM-M1
Use this Help Guide when you have issues or questions on how to use your shotgun microphone.
5-053-132-11(1) Copyright 2023 Sony Corporation
Supported camera models
This unit is a microphone compatible with the Multi Interface Shoe.
For camera models compatible with this unit, view here. (Another window will open.)
In combination with any camera model that is not listed on the website, the unit does not work.
When the message “This accessory is not supported by the device and cannot be used.” is
displayed on the camera:
View here.
Identifying the parts
Preparations
Unpacking
Attaching/removing to/from the camera
Selecting the directivity
About the adaptive beamforming technology
About the pickup pattern and the frequency response
About the output channels
About this unit
Notes on use
Specifications
Trademarks
When the message “This accessory is not supported by the device and cannot be used.” is displayed on
the camera:
1
Help Guide
Shotgun Microphone
ECM-M1
Identifying the parts
Top, Side, and Bottom
Back, Side
Microphone1.
ATT switch
Select the option suitable for the audio recording volume. To record loud sounds while minimizing distortion, select
“20dB.” To record quiet sounds, select “0dB.” It is recommended that you select an option while monitoring the
volume level meter on the camera or the audio recording volume with headphones.
2.
FILTER switch
NC: Select this option to use the noise cut filter function. Unpleasant noises are effectively eliminated by digital signal
processing. If the sound quality does not seem appropriate, select “OFF.”
LC: Select this option to use the low cut filter function. Unwanted noises, such as wind noise, air-conditioning noise,
and vibration noise, are minimized.
OFF: Select this option to disable either of the filter functions.
Note
Hand-held use of the attached camera in a quiet place may cause a soft vibrating sound to be recorded.
If the recorded vibrating sound is disturbing, set the FILTER switch to “LC” and try all over again.
3.
Lock dial4.
Multi Interface foot
Note
Do not touch the connector of the Multi Interface foot with bare hands.
5.
Connector protect cap6.
2
USB Type-C® port (for maintenance and service use)
Note
No power is supplied through the USB Type-C port. Do not connect any device, such as a mobile battery pack, to the port for
power supply purposes to avoid a malfunction.
1.
DIGITAL/ANALOG switch
Select the digital or analog input type.
If your camera is compatible with the digital audio interface of the Multi Interface Shoe, set the switch to
“DIGITAL.”
Digital signal transmission between this unit and the camera has the following merits over analog signal
transmission that is enabled by the DIGITAL/ANALOG switch being set to “ANALOG.”
Audio recording with less noise
Less audio delay during recording
Recording with 24-bit audio (only available in combination with the compatible camera)
Recording with channel 3 and channel 4 (only available in combination with the compatible camera)
Note
Movies recorded with 24-bit audio may not be played back normally on devices or software incompatible with 24-bit
audio, resulting in unexpectedly loud volumes or no sound.
If your camera is not compatible with the digital audio interface of the Multi Interface Shoe, set the switch to
“ANALOG.”
When the message “This accessory is not supported by the device and cannot be used.” is displayed on the
camera, set the switch to “ANALOG.”
If this does not help, see here.
2.
Directivity mode dial
: Super-directional
: Uni-directional
: Omni-directional
: Super-directional (Rear)
: Super-directional (Front+Rear)
: Super-directional (Front/Rear) separate
3.
3
About the wind screen
By fitting the wind screen over the microphone of the unit, you can minimize the noise caused by the wind or breath
hitting the microphone to be included in the recording.
Note
If the wind screen is exposed to rain and wet, remove it from the unit and let it dry in the shade.
Related Topic
Attaching/removing to/from the camera
Selecting the directivity
About the pickup pattern and the frequency response
About the output channels
5-053-132-11(1) Copyright 2023 Sony Corporation
: Stereo
: Ultra-directional
Lock button
Pressing this button locks/unlocks the directivity mode dial.
4.
AUTO/MAN switch
AUTO: The recording volume level is automatically adjusted.
MAN: Adjust the recording volume with the AUDIO LEVEL dial.
5.
AUDIO LEVEL dial
The recording volume level can be adjusted manually for fine tuning when the AUTO/MAN switch is set to “MAN.”
It is recommended that you adjust the level while monitoring the volume level meter on the camera or the audio
recording volume with headphones.
6.
4
Help Guide
Shotgun Microphone
ECM-M1
Unpacking
If you find anything missing, please contact your dealer.
The number in the parentheses indicates the quantity.
Shotgun Microphone (1)
Wind screen (1)
Connector protect cap (attached) (1)
Pouch (1)
Set of printed documentation
5-053-132-11(1) Copyright 2023 Sony Corporation
5
Help Guide
Shotgun Microphone
ECM-M1
Attaching/removing to/from the camera
Attach the shotgun microphone to a camera.
Note
Before attaching/removing this unit to/from a camera, turn off the power to the camera.
Remove the connector protect cap from this unit.
1
Release the lock by rotating the lock dial ( ) and attach this unit to a camera ( ).
Before attaching this unit to a camera, rotate the lock dial counterclockwise until it stops and make sure that the
lock is released.
2
Rotate the lock dial in the LOCK direction to firmly secure the unit.
3
6
To remove the shotgun microphone
Turn off the power to the camera, rotate the lock dial counterclockwise until it stops, and then slide out the Multi Interface
foot from the shoe.
5-053-132-11(1) Copyright 2023 Sony Corporation
Attaching this unit to a camera automatically switches audio input from the built-in microphone to the external
microphone.
Check the position of the DIGITAL/ANALOG switch on this unit.
If your camera is compatible with the digital audio interface of the Multi Interface Shoe, make sure that the switch is
set to “DIGITAL.” If not, set the switch to “ANALOG.”
If the switch is not set correctly, a compatibility message will be displayed on the camera. For camera models
compatible with the digital audio interface of the Multi Interface Shoe, visit the website at:
https://www.sony.net/dics/ecmm1/
4
Operate the camera to start recording.
For details, refer to the Help Guide provided for the camera.
5
7
Help Guide
Shotgun Microphone
ECM-M1
Selecting the directivity
By operating the directivity mode dial, you can select the directivity that is best suited for the sounds to record or the
recording conditions.
Super-directional
Sounds in a specific range from the front of this unit are picked, enabling equally clear sound pickup. Super-directional
mode enables recording with less reverberations, and is suitable for indoor recording. Super-directional mode is
recommended for taking or streaming videos where, for example, the subject is speaking in close proximity to this unit.
Uni-directional
A wide variety of sounds from the front of this unit are picked. Uni-directional mode is recommended, for example, for
recording conferences and meetings.
Omni-directional
Sounds from all directions are equally picked. Omni-directional mode is recommended, for example, for recording whole
sounds including environmental sounds.
Super-directional (Rear)
8
Sounds from the rear of this unit are picked, along with less sounds from the front. Super-directional (Rear) mode is
recommended, for example, for taking scenery videos with narratives.
Super-directional (Front+Rear)
Sounds from the front and rear of this unit are equally picked, along with less sounds from the left and right. Super-
directional (Front+Rear) mode enables recording of sounds from the subject in front of this unit as well as the voice of
the videographer, and is recommended, for example, for recording interview videos.
Super-directional (Front/Rear) separate
Sounds from the front (channel 1) and rear (channel 2) of this unit are equally picked, along with less sounds from the
left and right. Super-directional (Front/Rear) separate mode enables individual volume adjustment of the front and rear
audio after video recording, and is recommended when there is a need for editing the recorded audio.
(Stereo)
Realistic video recording is possible by clearly localizing the left (channel 1) and right (channel 2) sound sources. Stereo
mode is recommended, for example, for taking videos of moving objects, such as racing cars and trains, or videos of
music performances in theaters.
9
Ultra-directional
Because of the adaptive beamforming technology employed by this unit, the target sound from the front of the unit is
captured while any other unnecessary sounds are significantly reduced at the same time. Ultra-directional mode is
recommended for making recordings with minimum unnecessary sounds at close range, such as voices around the
subject, while keeping moderate environmental sounds at long range, such as the sound of a stream and a chirping bird,
in the recordings.
For details about the adaptive beamforming technology, see About the adaptive beamforming technology.
Hint
The closer the subject is located to this unit, the clearer the sound can be picked.
Note
In the following cases, the sounds from the subject in front of this unit may not be recognized and the audio in recordings may
sound lower compared with the one recorded in other directivity modes.
Recordings are made in spaces with strong echoes, such as a small room.
The subject is located at a distance from this unit.
Sounds from the subject are buried in the surrounding noises.
The subject is not facing directly toward the front of this unit; it is facing, for example, downward or sideways.
Try one of the following that suits the condition.
Change the ATT switch setting.
Set the AUTO/MAN switch to “MAN” and adjust the recording volume level with the AUDIO LEVEL dial.
Adjust the distance to the subject from this unit or the pointing direction of the unit.
Change the directivity to Super-directional mode.
Depending on the environment and sound source, the following issues may occur. If they seem annoying, change the directivity
to Super-directional mode.
10
The audio volume and quality of the surrounding sounds from other than the front of this unit are unstable.
The audio quality is unstable. For example, the abrupt clapping-like noise echoes in the audio.
Related Topic
About the adaptive beamforming technology
5-053-132-11(1) Copyright 2023 Sony Corporation
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Help Guide
Shotgun Microphone
ECM-M1
About the adaptive beamforming technology
The adaptive beamforming technology is a technology where sounds from within the range of about 30 degrees in front
of this unit are recognized and captured as the target sound while unnecessary sounds from within a close range of the
target sound are significantly reduced at the same time.
Because the adaptive beamforming technology adapts the sound pickup pattern dynamically to changes in the
surrounding environment, unnecessary sounds are kept reduced even when their sources move. On the other hand,
environmental sounds at long range are moderately captured along with the target sound.
Ultra-directional mode (adaptive beamforming)
With (Ultra-directional) selected by the directivity mode dial on this unit, the adaptive beamforming algorithm is applied
for recordings.
The following depicts how sounds are picked in Ultra-directional mode:
Subject/target sound
Unnecessary sound
Environmental sound
Other directivity modes
In any directivity mode other than Ultra-directional mode, the sound pickup pattern never changes dynamically. As a
result, unnecessary sounds from within a close range of the target sound may be captured depending on the location or
pointing direction of this unit.
For details about how sounds are picked in each directivity mode, see Selecting the directivity.
The following depicts how sounds are picked in Super-directional mode:
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Subject/target sound
Unnecessary sound
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13
Frequency response
Omni-directional
Pickup pattern
15
Frequency response
Super-directional (Rear)
Pickup pattern
Frequency response
16
Super-directional (Front+Rear)
Pickup pattern
Frequency response
17
Super-directional (Front/Rear) separate
Pickup pattern (Front)
Pickup pattern (Rear)
Frequency response (Front)
18
Frequency response (Rear)
(Stereo)
Pickup pattern (left channel)
Pickup pattern (right channel)
19
Frequency response
Ultra-directional
Pickup pattern
In Ultra-directional mode, audio processing to reduce unnecessary sounds from other than the front of this unit
changes dynamically according to the surrounding environment. This makes it impossible to depict the pattern in a
particular chart, thus the pickup pattern chart is not presented.
Frequency response
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