For vloggers, videographers and mobile journalists, storytelling is equal parts art and craft. Perhaps more than anything else, it is sound that makes a story come to life. Whether interviews, commentary or ambience, sound is the key to captivating and drawing in an audience. To provide creators with a tool to explore their sonic horizons, Sennheiser has launched the new MKE 400 – a highly directional compact shotgun microphone that brings compelling audio to DSLR/Ms and mobile devices alike.
The MKE 400 achieves its directionality with an acoustic interference tube, providing a super-cardioid polar pattern that ensures pick-up from the direction in which the camera is facing while cancelling out distracting noise from the sides. This enables dialogue recordings with presence and clarity.
The MKE 400’s shock-mounted capsule minimizes handling noise, while the cleverly designed microphone housing doubles as a standard windscreen. For outdoor use, a furry windshield is included, and the microphone’s low-cut filter also does its part in removing problematic low frequencies like the hum from air-conditioning systems or the rumble from wind.
The MKE 400 is not only fitted with a low-cut filter and three-step sensitivity switch to fine-tune the sound but also with a headphone monitoring output and integrated 8-step digital volume control, as not every camera has its own audio output. Users can plug any headphone with a 3.5 mm jack directly into the MKE 400 and conveniently check levels and audio performance while rolling. The MKE 400 includes 3.5 mm TRS and TRRS locking cables to be used with DSLR/M cameras or mobile devices. The mic’s cold-shoe mount allows for universal mounting atop of cameras, gimbals or even at the end of a boom pole.
"Much has been said about the importance of good audio for video," says Kai Lange, Senior Product Manager at Sennheiser. "Now, the new MKE 400 lets users experience how vastly it improves in-camera audio, lifting storytelling to the next level and wowing audiences. We’re replacing the well-known and much loved MKE 400 with this new model, and even die-hard fans will agree that the latest version surpasses the original in many ways. The new MKE 400 now also features a headphone monitoring output with volume control, has a rugged internal shock-mount, clever internal windscreen and automatic on/off function, plus it comes with ample accessories included."
Together with the MKE 400, Sennheiser introduced a new affordable omnidirectional lavalier microphone, which users can discreetly clip to clothing for a professional look and enhanced sound. The new Sennheiser XS Lav is powered by the smartphone or computer, which will automatically switch from the internal mics. It comes with a 2m cable using a standard 3.5mm jack or USB-C (ideal also for videoconferencing), together with a USB-C to USB-A adapter for legacy products. The package includes a microphone clip, removable foam windshield and a draw-string storage pouch. The XS Lav USB-C Mobile Kit additionally contains a Sennheiser Smartphone Clamp and Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod.
Sennheiser Mobile Kits
Rounding off the launch of its MKE 400 compact shotgun microphone for cameras and the XS Lav clip-on microphones for mobile phones and computers, Sennheiser has announced the launch of various Mobile Kits. These include a Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod and Sennheiser Smartphone Clamp, making them ideal for vloggers and content creators for whom the smartphone is the tool of choice during some or for all of their creation processes. To complement existing microphones, the Mobile Kit is also available on its own as an accessory.
Manfrotto is a brand of Vitec Imaging Solutions, one of three divisions within the powerful Vitec Group, a global leader in professional and creative media production solutions. Based in Northern Italy at Cassola, Manfrotto designs, manufactures and markets a wide range of camera and lighting support equipment for the professional photographic, film, theatre, live entertainment and video markets. The product line includes an extensive range of camera tripods and heads, lighting stands and accessories.
"The Mobile Kits are designed to satisfy all your audio needs in ready-to-go packages," says Nicole Fresen, product manager at Sennheiser. "Whether you prefer an on-camera mic or a wireless lavalier, there is the right mic for every requirement, plus a few clever accessories to cater to your needs."
As video recording often happens on various devices, both the MKE 200 and MKE 400 include 3.5 mm TRS and TRRS cables for use with DSLR/M cameras and mobile devices, respectively. With the Smartphone Clamp and Manfrotto PIXI, the Mobile Kit versions have vloggers and creators prepared for all recording situations.
The new XS Lav USB-C Mobile Kita dds the Smartphone Clamp and PIXI to Sennheiser’s wired USB-C lavalier microphone to create an ideal vlogging and podcasting bundle, while the new XSW-D Portable Lav Mobile Kit is a wireless solution supplied with the Smartphone Clamp and Mini Tripod but also includes an additional TRS-TRRS cable for connection to smart devices (also available separately as XSW-D Mobile cable). This special cable features an attenuator to ensure optimum levels for mobile devices.
Available separately as an accessory, the CL 35-USB-C cable (TRS to USB-C) is ideal for users who want to use the MKE 200 Mobile Kit, MKE 400 Mobile Kit and XSW-D Portable Lav Mobile Kit with a USB-C device. Most kits and accessories are available now. The MKE 200 Mobile Kit is prices at USD $129.95, the MKE 400 Mobile Kit at USD $229.95, the XS Lav USB-C Mobile Kit sells for USD $99.95 (MAP) and the wireless version, XSW-D Portable Lav Mobile Kit, is available from May 2021 and sells for USD $329.95 (MAP).
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