You might think that the world of sports broadcasting and wildlife recording don’t have anything in common.

Well, that’s not entirely true. Parabolic microphones have been used in both these fields, and in many others, to create a detailed, immersive sound experience for movies, broadcasting, nature recordings, and more.

They’re undoubtedly the best option for any professional looking for a realistic 360° sound experience, yet parabolic microphones are often overshadowed by more popular or less bulky mics.

This article aims to explore the world of parabolic microphones: what they are, who should use them to get high-quality results, and the best ones you can get these days.

What Is a Parabolic Microphone?

A parabolic microphone is a special type of microphone setup that uses a curved dish (parabolic reflector) to hear sounds from a specific direction and distance. Their main characteristic is that they can collect and focus sounds from far away, allowing recordists to locate specific sounds and enhance them.

The combination of parabolic dishes and microphones has been used since World War II. The microphone, sitting at the exact focal point, makes the most of the parabolic reflectors and can capture sounds from hundreds of meters away.

While not ideal for high-fidelity recording due to its subpar frequency response (especially on the low end), a parabolic microphone has been a popular tool in various fields, from wildlife research to search and rescue operations, sports broadcasting, and even espionage.

They're extremely popular in the surveillance industry because they can record a conversation happening at a distance with accuracy. Their ability to focus on certain sounds allows you to keep background noise to a minimum, especially when working with a system with low microphone self-noise.

It's important to bear in mind that the sound will not be focused on a single point if the reflector doesn't have a true parabolic shape. Instead, the reflected energy will be scattered and won't provide you with the long-distance recording performance you're after.

How it Works

The reflector in a parabolic microphone works just like a satellite dish, collecting and converging all sound waves into a single point. The dish collects sound waves and then directs them to where the microphone is.

Through mechanical amplification, the sound waves become much stronger than they would if the microphone wasn’t surrounded by a dish, which allows the parabolic microphone to capture distant sounds more clearly.

The design of the parabolic dish makes the microphone extremely directional. This means that the recordist can focus on certain areas while reducing background noise around them. This also means that using a parabolic set requires accurate aiming and a clear understanding of the microphone's characteristics, how it captures higher frequencies and everything else in the audio spectrum.

By now it should be clear that there are two main components that define the quality of a parabolic microphone setup: the parabolic reflector and the microphone. Let's briefly describe their functions in this long-distance recording setup.

The Parabolic Dish

The parabolic dish gathers sound waves from a large area and focuses them on one point (the focal point, where the mic is). This helps to pick up even very quiet sounds from far away, as the sound pressure decreases the further the sound travels from its source.

When sound waves hit the dish, they bounce toward the point where the microphone is. This makes the sound much louder, so the microphone can capture it clearly and without destructive interference. However, as mentioned earlier, the dish mostly picks up sounds from the direction it's pointed. This helps isolate the sound you want from other noises.

The size and material of the dish are crucial. As a rule of thumb, the bigger the dish, the more distant sounds you can capture, although it's not uncommon to come across a portable version that delivers exceptional results.

In short, a parabolic dish amplifies the volume of sounds from far away, and allows you to focus on distant sound sources which you wouldn't hear as clearly with just a microphone.

The Microphone

The microphone turns the sound waves into an electrical signal.

The type of microphone you use will have a huge impact on your audio recordings. Omnidirectional or cardioid microphones are usually safe choices because they both offer a level of accuracy and directionality that's in line with the purposes of parabolic mics.

However, it also comes down to what you want to record, so make sure you do your research on the best mics to pair with a dish, depending on whether you're into wildlife recordings or sports broadcasting.

An omnidirectional microphone picks up sound from all directions. This is good for picking up all the sounds around, but when used in combination with the dish, it mostly gets the focused sound, which is good for recording natural environments.

A cardioid microphone is better at picking up sounds from the front. When used with the dish, it's great for isolating specific sounds, like animal calls, sports commentary, or distant dialogues.

All in all, the sensitivity and frequency response of your mic are all you should care about. A microphone with a wide frequency response can pick up a lot of different sounds and provide you with a more immersive sound experience. High sensitivity is also important when recording from far away, but it can also pick up unwanted noise more easily, so try to find a good balance between sensitivity and focus.

How Are Parabolic Microphones Used?

Parabolic microphones’ ability to capture audio from far away with clarity makes them ideal in many scenarios, especially when you need to record distant sounds without interfering with the events you’re recording.

Over the years, their ability to enhance a sound source from considerable distances made them a must-have in various fields,

Here are a few examples of industries in which parabolic microphones are widely used.

Sports Broadcasting

When watching sports on TV with a powerful surround system, have you ever noticed how it feels like you're right in the middle of the action? That’s possible thanks to parabolic microphones.

These mics do an excellent job when capturing all the sounds of the game, like the crack of a baseball bat or players chatting on the field. Parabolic microphones bring those details right into focus while mitigating surrounding sounds, hence making the whole experience way more exciting.

Field Recordings and Wildlife Research

This is how I discovered the world of parabolic mics. When it comes to wildlife recording and research, parabolic microphones are crucial tools recordists carry with them at all times.

They’ve been used for decades to record the calls of animals from a distance without disturbing their habitats. This helped us expand our understanding of the natural world and our planet, and our role in preserving it.

While they can’t offer the high-fidelity sound levels of other mics (they are not made to capture low-end frequencies), parabolic microphones are what allow us to listen to bird songs or hear the sounds of nature without interfering with them.

If you're interested in the world of bioacoustics and how scientists are exploring the sounds of the world, I'd recommend you read this introductory piece by the University of Pavia (Italy), entitled Instruments & techniques for Bioacoustics .

Film and Television Production

The film and television industry uses parabolic microphones to record authentic audio when filming a scene. For instance, they can be used to record dialogues from a distance or atmospheric sounds in difficult locations (trafficked areas, large open spaces), adding a sense of realism to the scenes.

The fact that this microphone setup is highly directional allows sound engineers to explore recording in various locations to create the ideal blend of dialogues and realistic soundscapes.

Paranormal Sounds

Parabolic microphones are also used in the field of "ghost hunting". This might sound a little unusual, but some people believe that parabolic microphones can help capture paranormal sounds.

That's because they allow recordists to focus on certain areas without getting too close to the paranormal sources. Plus, parabolic mics can amplify even the most subtle sounds, which I guess helps when you're looking for mysterious phenomena.

While there is no scientific evidence to support the existence of ghosts, these microphones are used by enthusiasts to focus on a fixed point and potentially capture a paranormal sound or voice.

Wedding and Event Videography

See the picture above? In this context, a parabolic microphone setup would help the videographer capture the conversation and sonic nuances without interfering with the spouses.

Whether at a wedding or sports event, parabolic microphones allow the videographers to stay out of the way while still capturing great audio. These mics can stay hidden out of the shot, giving you plenty of flexibility while recording memorable events.

Surveillance

Parabolic microphones are popular in surveillance operations because they can record conversations and sounds from far away.

They’re widely used for both law enforcement and private investigations. There’s no other microphone setup that can provide the same level of audio clarity when recording from a distance.

Search and Rescue Operations

In search and rescue missions, parabolic microphones help find people in remote or dangerous terrain where rescuers can't access easily.

By amplifying and pinpointing faint distress calls or signals, these microphones are crucial tools for rescue teams to narrow down search areas and improve the chances of locating lost or injured persons.

The Best Parabolic Microphone Dishes

Here’s a list of what I believe are the best microphone dishes available right now, from entry-level to professional. Whether you’re just getting started or an experienced recordist looking to upgrade their kit, I’m sure you’ll find a model that suits your needs.

Bear in mind that most kits don’t come with a microphone. As you can use microphone dishes with most mics, professionals tend to choose their mic independently from the dish they buy.

Telinga Modular Parabolic Kit (Best Overall)

The Telinga Modular is a 22" foldable dish set that allows your microphones to be used in either mono or PZM stereo. The set comes with a handle with a mounting kit, dish, Rycote Telinga OEM basket, OEM windjammer, and two interchangeable Telinga foam cartridges.

The mono foam cartridge is compatible with most mics, including omnidirectional and cardioid, mounted facing the dish or forward, whereas the stereo foam cartridge is designed for PZM stereo setups, great for smaller omni mics, lavaliers, or electret capsules.

Wildtronics All Purpose (Best value for money)

The Wildtronics All Purpose Parabolic is an affordable, high-quality parabolic system that will perform magnificently if you’re just getting started.

The modular system allows you to use almost any existing microphone with it, including stereo microphones, as well as Wildtronics microphones (which you can buy as an extra).

The lightweight design makes the 22-inch parabolic dish easy to carry around, while the Focus Gauge system, all-metal clamp, comfort foam grip, and tripod mounting, make it a sturdy and trustworthy parabolic dish for all circumstances.

Hi-Sound Stereo Parabolic Microphone (Best for wildlife)

The Hi-Sound Stereo Parabolic Microphone is another great option that won’t cost you a fortune.

It’s a great tool for wildlife recordings because it offers directional recording by isolating and amplifying sounds without any audible self-noise. It features a set of microphone sensors separated by a baffle to create stereo recordings, which makes it ideal if you’re aiming at immersive sound recordings.

Costing a little over $600, the Hi-Sound Stereo Parabolic dish can turn your passion for wildlife into a professional career in field recordings.

Klover Sound Shark (Best under $1000)

The Klover Sound Shark can transform any lavalier mic into a long-range microphone that can capture audio from 30 to 50 feet. It’s lightweight, easy to carry, and sturdy enough to last for years.

The versatile design allows you to use it with ENG and EFP mics or as an alternative to a shotgun microphone in film and television production. It also comes with a 1/4"-20 threaded mounting hole for easy attachment to a light stand or monopod. All in all, it’s another great option if your budget is below $1000.

Wildtronics Pro Mono-Stereo Parabolic Microphone (Best mid-range)

The Wildtronics Pro Mono-Stereo Parabolic Microphone is a fantastic upgrade from entry-level dishes or a worthy investment if you're just starting out but serious about your craft.

The setup creates a stereo ambient recording through the front-facing stereo mic pair and a reflected parabolic signal from the inward-facing microphone part. You can mix these two sound sources together or record them separately, giving you plenty of creative options when recording outdoors.

G-PKS PRO EX Parabolic Microphone (Best parabolic microphone range)

The G-PKS PRO EX parabolic microphone is a professional portable device designed for long-range listening to speech and human voice conversations. Extremely portable and with 450 meters of effective range, the G-PKS PRO EX is ideal for professionals who need to record conversations discreetly.

The advanced "EX" version offers some exceptional features, including high-end acoustics and electronics, professional sensitivity, audio recording encryption, password protection, and easy-to-use audio post-processing software.

The parabolic system also comes with a full suite of accessories, including a professional tripod mount and parabolic microphone holder.

TARSHYRY Parabolic Microphone (Best under $100)

The TARSHYRY Parabolic Microphone is an innovative, energy-efficient device designed specifically for birdwatchers. Some of the TARSHYRY's most interesting features include an effective range of up to 200 meters in quiet environments, an integrated noise elimination feature, and a frequency capture range of 20Hz to a specified upper limit.

The included microphone is made of durable ABS engineering plastic, with a sleek black finish and rubber anti-slip coating for a secure grip in any outdoor conditions. It provides high sound fidelity with less than 0.6% headphone waveform distortion, ensuring clear audio capture that accurately reproduces natural sounds.

The system's lightweight and compact design makes it easy to carry around wherever you go, which is why it's considered an essential tool among birdwatching enthusiasts.

Klover MiK 26 (Best for sporting networks)

The Klover MiK 26 Parabolic Microphone is widely used in the broadcasting industry for its precision and high-quality performance. Thanks to its 26-inch diameter dish, the system can capture clear and focused sounds from up to 200 meters away.

When combined with a mic with a high frequency response, the Klover MiK 26's perfect parabolic shape can bring to life professional audio results. Plus, the system is sturdy enough to sustain all the sudden movements required in the sports broadcasting industry.

How To Choose The Best Parabolic Microphone Set for Your Needs

So now that you know what parabolic microphones are, it’s time to identify how you can choose one that’ll suit your needs. In the following section, I’ll highlight what you should focus on when buying a new parabolic mic, be it for your hobbies or professional reasons.

Purpose

The purpose of your parabolic microphone set is the first thing you should consider when buying one.

If you're recording wildlife, your setup needs to be capable of picking up quiet sounds in diverse environments, often from great distances. True parabolic dishes with a large diameter will allow you to capture subtle noises like bird calls or the rustling of leaves, which you might otherwise miss.

For sports broadcasting, you'll need a microphone with high directionality, which means it can focus on sounds coming from a specific direction while excluding surrounding noises, like a crowd's roar in a packed stadium. Parabolic microphones with a true parabolic shape can enhance this directionality, bringing to life the crispest audio from a single-point source.

In surveillance, discretion and long-range sound capture are crucial factors, so a parabolic microphone's ability to pick up whispers or low-volume conversations from a distance makes it indispensable for this purpose.

A small parabolic dish may be more suitable, as it can be easily concealed and carried around. I'd also recommend using low-noise microphones to avoid any additional noise that could obscure the target sounds.

Film and TV production require versatility and high-quality audio recordings, ranging from dialogues to environmental sounds. A shotgun microphone paired with a parabolic dish can be a perfect combo, offering both directionality and the ability to capture sounds from afar. This setup allows filmmakers to record clear dialogue without unwanted background noise, making it easier to mix the audio during post-production.

Compatibility and Mounting Options

Before you buy anything, make sure that the parabolic microphone and dish work you're planning to purchase will work well together, especially if you're buying them separately.

The parabolic reflector should fit perfectly with the microphone, so you can point it exactly where you want to listen. How you attach them is also crucial, especially if you need them to stay still and be easy to adjust throughout the recording session.

A tripod can help keep everything steady, so you can use your hands and make sure everything stays in the right place. This is critical for live sports on TV, because if things are moving around, the sound can get muddy in seconds and you might miss something important. If you're holding everything, a neck strap can help make it easier to manage the microphone and make adjustments on the go.

Dish Diameter

The diameter of the parabolic dish will influence the range of the parabolic microphone and the types of sounds it can capture.

Larger dishes, usually 22 inches or more, offer greater dish gain, capturing sounds further away with higher clarity. While this makes them ideal for wildlife recording or long-distance surveillance, larger dishes can be cumbersome, making them less suitable for mobile or spontaneous recording sessions.

Smaller dishes, under 20 inches, are more portable and easier to manage. They are perfect for situations where mobility is important, such as capturing audio at a sporting event or in the field.

Although they don't offer the same level of amplification as larger dishes, advances in microphone technology have mitigated this issue to some extent, providing excellent sound recordings even with a smaller reflector.

Finally, also take the dish's focal length into account; a short focal length can help capture high-frequency sounds more effectively.

Weight

The weight of your set will have a huge impact on your recordings, especially if you're using it in the field for extended periods of time.

A lightweight setup reduces fatigue, but there's a balance to be struck between weight and durability.

Lightweight materials may not always offer the same sturdiness as heavier options. Brands that offer lightweight parabolic dishes often use advanced materials that are both strong and light, so it's worth investing in them if you want to avoid back pain!

Directionality and Range

The directionality of a parabolic microphone is defined by its polar pattern and the true parabolic shape of the dish.

A microphone's polar pattern defines its sensitivity to sound from various directions. For parabolic mics, a highly directional polar pattern is better as it focuses on sound from the front while mitigating noise from the sides and rear.

The range is also influenced by the parabolic dish's design. A dish with a perfect parabolic shape will provide the best possible gain and focus sound waves onto the microphone's capsule with precision. This will bring to life clearer recordings with less interference from surrounding sounds.

Finally, think about the optimal range of use for your purposes. When capturing sounds over great distances, like during sporting events or wildlife observation, a large dish with a high-gain setup is essential, but a smaller dish may be better for surveillance or smaller events.

Budget

As with most things, you can spend as little or as much as you want on a parabolic microphone set. There are some very budget-friendly options that might help you get started, but eventually, you'll need to invest in a higher-end model if you want to take your recordings to the next level.

Personally, I wouldn't spend less than $500 on a parabolic dish simply because you'll probably want something that'll last longer than one season, and at this price, you can get something that will provide you with good-quality recordings for some time.

If you're looking for professional gear, anything between $1000 to $5000 dollars will do. At this price range, you should also be able to get a professional mic included in the bundle, making it easier to record professionally from day one.

How To Use a Parabolic Microphone

Using a parabolic microphone professionally requires certain steps to ensure you're getting the best results.

Step 1. Understand the Parts

Usually, a parabolic microphone set comprises a dish, microphone, mounting kit, and (often) a windscreen. As we already discussed, the dish collects and focuses sound waves onto the microphone, which converts them into an electrical signal.

A true parabolic dish ensures that sound waves are focused on the microphone's capsule, enhancing gain and clarity. Foam windscreens are great as they minimize the impact of wind on the recording, ensuring that the wind noise is not too loud. (While there are tools that allow you to remove wind in post-production, it's always better to eliminate the problem at its source.)

Step 2. Setting Up

Put together the dish and attach the microphone. If you can, I recommend mounting the microphone on a stand so it stays still and you can point it in the direction of the sound you’re capturing. This stability will help you capture the sound accurately.

When setting up your parabolic microphone, think of the movements you'll make during the recording sessions and how you'll hold the parabolic reflector for optimal comfort. If you're working in the fields of sports broadcasting or field recordings, chances are you'll spend hours recording sounds non-stop.

Step 3. Positioning

Point the dish at the sound you want to hear and adjust it carefully. This step is crucial as you don't just want to focus on a particular sound but also need to ensure you're avoiding external noises as much as possible. So, take your time finding the perfect angle and height before pressing the record button.

Step 4. Recording

While recording, listen with your headphones so you can make adjustments in real time. There’s nothing worse than realizing you have bad-quality audio when you’re already in post-production, so monitoring the audio as you record is key to ensuring high-quality results.

If you’re recording outside, use a windscreen to extend your recording quality and range and reduce unwanted noise.

Step 5. Post Recording

At the end of the recording session, play the audio to double-check the sound quality. Some high-end parabolic microphones come with a built-in audio editor that can help you enhance sounds on the go, which gives you the opportunity to make quick adjustments.

It's also a good idea to carry some audio reproduction gear with you to ensure you’re bringing home the best possible sounds, especially if you're recording in different locations.

Final Thoughts

I hope this guide will help you make a conscious decision when buying your first or next parabolic microphone.

I can’t say much about sports broadcasting, but I can guarantee you that the journey of a sound recordist, especially in the field of bioacoustics, is as enriching and exciting as it can be and the perfect path to mastering the art of listening.

Happy recording!