Focusing on plug-and-play simplicity and ease of use, the new Sennheiser Profile USB microphone is a surprising announcement for a company who basically exited that market space just a few years back, and recently sold its consumer product division to Sonova. Surprising, since the Profile USB microphone is actually from Sennheiser. But basically this is a "professional" product that Sennheiser repackaged for a prosumer/consumer space.
At the heart of the Profile USB microphone is an award-winning Sennheiser condenser capsule, the KE 10. Its cardioid pick-up pattern provides the typical attenuation of sound coming from the rear, making sure that the streamer’s voice is in focus. The microphone and built-in 24-bit/48kHz audio interface is powered via USB-C, requiring 5V, max. 200mA.
In designing the Profile, product managers Benny Franke and Dennis Stegemerten also put an emphasis on ease of use. "When you are recording your podcast or doing a live stream, you already have to worry about the content, perhaps room treatment, the camera set-up, interaction with your audience – the last thing you need in this situation is a complex audio set-up," explains Franke. "So we tried to create tech that gets out of the way of your creative process."
"The design is simple and efficient and does not overwhelm you. Profile is simply plugged into the USB-C port of your computer or tablet – your device will automatically recognize the microphone, and it’s ready to capture your voice. There is no need for an interface or any software, no additional window to keep open so that you can control the mic settings. One intuitive touch of a control directly on the mic – that’s all that is needed," Stegemerten adds.
At its front, the Profile USB Mic features a soft-touch, no-noise mute button, a gain control for the microphone volume, a mix control to set the balance between your voice and the computer/tablet audio, plus a volume control for headphone monitoring. Headphones or earphones can be connected via a 3.5mm jack at the back of the Profile USB microphone.
"Right out of the box, the Profile delivers a natural, warm sound that accentuates the body and presence of your voice. Interestingly enough, you can even hear this difference on platforms that compress the audio," explains Franke. "Having a great capsule is essential for this – but placing the microphone correctly is just as important. It should be positioned within 15cm (6 in) from your mouth or the sound source to ensure both clarity and warmth."
Sennheiser also says that the Profile USB microphone produces a natural, warm sound that can even be experienced on platforms that compress the audio. The microphone/interface can be tilted for optimum positioning since the self-locking joint will ensure that the mic stays in position. 3/8” and 5/8” connectors at the bottom allow the mic to be used with third-party table stands, and for users looking for more sophisticated placement possibilities can opt for the Profile Streaming Set, which comes with a 3-point self-locking boom arm. With a modern design, this arm includes integrated cable management and is ideal for any on-camera applications. The Profile microphone includes a 1.2m USB-C cable, while the Profile Streaming Set includes a 3m cable.
"To round things off, Profile is made from metal, so it will be a rugged audio companion throughout – no matter whether you’re just getting started or are a seasoned pro and looking to simplify your set-up," Stegemerten concludes.
www.sennheiser.com
