Usage Guide of Hridz MG1 Cardioid Lavalier Shotgun Microphone

✅ What Hridz MG1 mic does best (and how to use it)

The MG1 is a cardioid/shotgun-style microphone — meaning it’s directional: it picks up sound mainly from in front of the mic, while rejecting a lot of side and rear noise. That makes it ideal for interviews, talking-head video, vlogging, tutorials, event coverage, and similar setups where you want to focus on one speaker.
It uses a 3.5 mm output cable — so you connect it straight to your camera’s mic input (if available) or to an external recorder. The MG1 package also includes a shock mount and a “furry” windscreen, which helps reduce handling rustle and wind noise (useful outdoors).

To get clean, clear audio — don’t just plug in and record. Adjust these settings and follow these practices:

Setting / Action	What to Do & Why
Disable Automatic Gain / Processing	Turn off any auto-gain control (AGC), limiter, automatic wind noise reduction, or “auto mic” enhancements in your camera/audio menu. These are designed for onboard mics and often worsen external-mic recordings.
Set Manual Audio Levels / Gain Manually	Use manual audio input level (gain) — then monitor carefully to ensure your loudest peaks don’t hit 0 dB (the “clipping” zone). Aim for levels that stay in a safe “green/yellow” zone.
Monitor with Headphones While Recording	If your camera (or recorder) has a headphone-out, plug in headphones and listen as you record. That way you can detect clipping, background noise, or distortion before it’s too late.
Place the Mic Properly	Since the MG1 is directional: point it toward the speaker or the sound source. If possible mount slightly above/angled (e.g. 30-45° downward) so it picks up the voice directly and avoids unintended noise.
Minimize Background Noise & Echo	Choose a quiet location, avoid background noise (traffic, AC units, crowds), and reduce echo (e.g. soft furnishings, carpet, rugs — especially indoors).
Avoid Touch / Handling Noise	Use the included shock mount to mount the mic securely (and isolate vibrations). Also avoid touching the mic or cables once recording starts. The “furry” windscreen helps with wind/breath noise if outdoors. (Use it when shooting outside.)

Talking-head / Interview / Vlog: Mount the mic onto your camera (hot shoe or cold shoe). Point it at the subject (you or the other person). Use manual gain, monitor through headphones, and do a quick “test talk” before actual recording to check levels.
On-location (outdoors, events, run-and-gun): Use the windscreen (furry) if there’s wind. Be aware of ambient noise — try to position the mic away from noisy sources. If possible, keep the mic as close to the subject as practical.
Backup / Dual-Audio Setup (if high stakes, e.g. interview, event): If you really care about sound quality, consider a duplicate audio capture (e.g. external recorder + camera) — in case one track has noise/clipping.

Built-in preamps on many DSLRs / mirrorless cameras are not high-quality — pushing them too hard (high gain) can introduce noise.
If you consistently need high-end audio (dialogues, events, storytelling, interviews), consider using an external audio recorder (or external preamp) rather than relying solely on the camera — this gives more control and cleaner signal.
Lavaliers have their place; but since your MG1 is a shotgun-style directional mic, make sure you treat it as such: directionality depends on proper mic orientation and position.