Top Cold Shoe Relocators to Keep Mics Out of the Frame

You line up the perfect shot… then notice your mic creeping into the frame.

Cropping ruins your composition, and adjusting the angle messes with your lighting.

Instead of fixing it in post, fix it at the source — by shifting your mic with a cold shoe relocator that keeps your setup clean and your footage pro-level.

Gimbal / Product Name	Specs	Pros	Price
ULANZI PT-3 Triple Cold Shoe Mount 🏆 Best for Beginners	Weight: 80g Payload: N/A Battery: N/A	✅ Lightweight and portable ✅ Three accessory mounts ✅ Durable aluminum body	🔗 View on Amazon
Triple Cold Shoe Mount Extension Bar💡 Best Budget Option	Weight: 60g Payload: N/A Battery: N/A	✅ Works great with smartphone gimbals ✅ Budget-friendly ✅ Adds 1/4″ adapter support	🔗 View on Amazon
Dual Cold Shoe Adapter Relocation Plate 🔁 Best for Side Mounting	Weight: 50g Payload: N/A Battery: N/A	✅ Ideal for wide-angle lenses ✅ Slim, low-profile design ✅ High compatibility with DSLRs	🔗 View on Amazon
PULUZ Protective Cage for Insta360 📸 Best for 360° Cameras	Weight: 120g Payload: N/A Battery: N/A	✅ Adds protection during action shoots ✅ Cold shoe + threaded mounts ✅ Maintains 360° lens clearance	🔗 View on Amazon
NICEYRIG Cage Kit for Sony A6 Series 🎬 Best for Professional Shoots	Weight: 250g Payload: N/A Battery: N/A	✅ Full cage system with multiple mounts ✅ Enhances rig stability ✅ Perfect for modular setups	🔗 View on Amazon

Which One Do You Actually Need? (No Guesswork Here)

Not all cold shoe relocators are built the same — and picking the wrong one means you’re back to square one with gear in your shot or accessories fighting for space.

If you’re a mobile shooter, a YouTuber, or building a pro rig, you need a mount that fits your workflow — not just your camera.

This section breaks it down so you grab the right tool the first time, skip the trial-and-error, and get back to creating.

1. ULANZI PT-3 Triple Cold Shoe Mounts

This is the no-brainer upgrade if you’re just starting out. Most vloggers struggle with cluttered rigs — mics dangling off tripods or lights blocking the lens.

The PT-3 is the first thing I recommend to streamline that chaos.

With three cold shoes in one clean line, it’s basically the duct tape of creator setups (but way more elegant).

Pair this with any mirrorless or DSLR and you’re instantly shooting cleaner footage with your mic out of the frame.

Want to add a fill light and a monitor too? Done. And since it screws into any standard hot shoe, it’s plug-and-play.

No tools, no hacks. Just more professional-looking content with minimal gear.

2. Triple Cold Shoe Mount Extension

Let’s be honest — mobile shooters often get ignored in gear guides.

But this little extension bar is a game changer if you’re using a smartphone gimbal like the Zhiyun Smooth 4.

It’s tailor-made to solve one issue: mounting more accessories without compromising balance.

You can slap on a mic, a small LED, and maybe even a tiny external monitor — all while keeping your rig featherlight.

And for creators shooting on the fly (think TikTokers, IG Reels producers), that flexibility is priceless.

It’s not the sturdiest bar in the world, but at this price, it’s an essential utility upgrade for mobile rigs.

3. Dual Cold Shoe Adapter Relocation Plate

If you’ve ever seen your mic’s windscreen sneak into your wide-angle shot, this plate is your fix.

The relocation design moves your mic off to the side — exactly where it should be. This isn’t about adding more gear.

It’s about positioning your existing tools smarter. Perfect for creators running small mirrorless setups who want better balance and zero visual clutter.

I especially love this for POV vloggers and street interviewers using compact cams like the Canon M50 or Sony ZV-E10.

It’s clean, effective, and totally invisible in the final shot — which is exactly the point.

4. PULUZ Metal Protective Cage Rig

360° creators face a unique challenge: every angle is visible. That means every accessory has to be perfectly placed — or risk ruining your footage.

This PULUZ cage is built specifically with that in mind. It protects your Insta360 while giving you smart mounting options that stay out of the stitch line.

Whether you’re hiking, biking, or just capturing immersive city footage, this rig keeps your camera safe and functional.

Add a mic, a mini light, or even a power bank without breaking the 360 illusion.

For adventure vloggers or virtual tour creators, it’s a small investment that pays off big.

5. NICEYRIG Camera Cage Kit

This cage isn’t just a cold shoe solution — it’s a complete rig architecture for creators who live behind the lens.

Designed specifically for the Sony A6xxx series, this NICEYRIG kit turns your camera into a modular filmmaking beast.

Think cold shoe on top, monitor arm on the side, SSD or wireless receiver mounted underneath.

Whether you’re producing YouTube documentaries or commercial content, this cage ensures everything is in its place — and nothing’s in the frame.

Plus, the solid build protects your camera during long days on set.

For serious shooters, this is your mobile production house in aluminum form.

What Is a Cold Shoe Relocator? (And Why You Should Bother)

The Problem

Cameras only give you one cold shoe mount — right on top. That’s fine for a flash or single mic. But once you start layering in accessories — lights, monitors, wireless receivers — you run out of space. Worse, the mic ends up blocking the screen or sneaking into the corner of your frame.

The Fix

A cold shoe relocator is a small mounting accessory that lets you reposition your mic (or any cold shoe gear) off to the side, above, or even behind your camera. It screws into your camera’s hot shoe or a cage, giving you more space and cleaner shots.

Why It Matters

• Avoid mic shadows in your footage
  
• Stop gear from blocking your viewfinder or flip screen
  
• Mount multiple tools (light, mic, monitor) without clutter
  
• Shoot ultra-wide footage without the mic creeping into frame
  

Cold Shoe Relocators in Action: Real-World Use Cases

Case 1: Vlogging With a Wide-Angle Lens

You’re shooting on a Sony ZV-E10 with a 16mm lens. That mic? It’s now in frame. Slide it off to the side with a relocation plate, and suddenly — clean framing. No cropping. No editing trickery.

Case 2: Smartphone Gimbal Shooting

You’ve got a Zhiyun Smooth 4, an iPhone, and an external mic. The mount points are limited. Drop in a triple shoe bar and you’ve now got slots for your mic, LED fill, and maybe a wireless receiver.

Case 3: Pro Shoots With Monitors & SSDs

You’re running a Sony A6400 with an Atomos Ninja, a mic, and an SSD. That’s a pro setup. You need a cage with multiple mounting options — like the NICEYRIG — to hold it all without fighting for space.

Set It Up the Right Way (Step-by-Step)

1. Pick the Spot
   Choose where your mic or light will go. Avoid areas where the lens can catch it.
   
2. Mount the Adapter
   Slide the cold shoe relocator into the camera’s hot shoe or cage. Tighten it securely.
   
3. Attach Your Gear
   Drop your mic or accessory into the new slot. Use cold shoe locks if needed.
   
4. Test Your Frame
   Do a quick 5-second video. Pan, tilt, and check the corners of your frame.
   
5. Adjust Until It’s Invisible
   Shift, rotate, or tilt the mic until it’s fully out of view and still positioned to capture clean audio.
   

Fix These Common Problems (Fast)

• Mic Still in Frame?
  Raise it with a mini ball head or move it further off-axis.
  
• Mount Feels Loose?
  Use rubber spacers or cold shoe locks to secure it better.
  
• Screen Blocked?
  Choose side-mounted adapters that don’t interfere with articulation.
  

Bonus Gear That Makes It All Work Together

• Shotgun Mics: Rode VideoMicro, Deity D4 Duo
  
• LED Lights: Ulanzi VL49, Aputure MC
  
• Mount Arms: SmallRig Cold Shoe to 1/4″ Ball Head
  
• Phone Mounts: Ulanzi ST-10, SmallRig Universal Clamp
  
• Cages: NICEYRIG for Sony, SmallRig for Canon/Nikon
  

🛠 Tip: Combine relocators with a cheese plate or camera cage if you need even more mounting points.

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Wrap-Up: Fix the Frame, Fix the Footage

You don’t need to invest thousands in gear. You just need better positioning. Start with a cold shoe relocator. It’s the fastest way to clean up your frame, fix your mic placement, and create better-looking content.

🎯 Ready to shoot like a pro? Get your mic out of the frame and back into focus — where it belongs.