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A Professional Microphone That Also Supports Shooting Beyond Talk - On-Camera Directional Mono Microphone with Reduced Noise

2022-05-26

＜MKE 400-Ⅱ＞

Sennheiser, a long-established German microphone manufacturer renowned in the music production world, boasts a strong reputation and impressive track record. In addition to products for music production and stage sound, the company has released many microphones for filming.

The MKE 400-II is positioned as a mid-range product among microphones designed for cameras. Let’s review its features and suitable applications.

SENNHEISER / MKE400-II

Features of the Microphone Unit

The MKE 400-II is a mono microphone optimized for video recording. It can be mounted on a cold shoe and used with cameras or smartphones that have a 3.5 mm mic input.

＜Connection to a DSLR with the Included Cable＞

While it has various features, let’s highlight the points related to noise reduction.

First, it boasts a highly directional microphone unit.
A microphone captures sound well from certain directions while being less sensitive to others; this characteristic is referred to as directionality. On smartphone cameras, omnidirectional microphones—those without directionality—are often used.

＜Internal Acoustic Interference Tube＞

In contrast, the MKE 400-II is a supercardioid type that focuses on capturing audio from the direction the camera is pointing, making it effective for interview recordings and vlogging where the subject is facing the camera. By concentrating on sounds coming from the front, it enhances clarity in spoken dialogue. The internal acoustic interference tube positioned in front of the microphone unit creates sharp directionality, allowing it to focus on the speaker’s voice.

＜Equipped with an Included Windshield＞

The next feature is that it comes standard with a windscreen.
Wind noise can be a significant issue when recording. If wind noise is too loud, it can obscure spoken words. The MKE 400-II includes a wind protection mechanism, effectively reducing wind noise. Additionally, a furry windscreen (windjammer) is also included, which can further minimize wind noise in strong winds.

＜Shock Absorber for Shooting While Moving＞

Lastly, it features a shock absorber (shock-absorbing function).
Microphones can pick up sound transmitted through their casing. If held and moved, vibrations from walking or the sound of hands rubbing against the microphone can create unwanted noise. The MKE 400-II has an internal shock absorber, keeping the acoustic interference tube and microphone unit ‘suspended’. This design absorbs vibrations transmitted through the casing, reducing noise.

Upon using it, I was able to record dialogues with a clarity that was entirely different from the built-in camera microphone. The sharpness of its directionality immediately impresses you. In recording, reducing noise is as crucial as capturing clean sound. The MKE 400-II is a microphone that effectively reduces noise simply by being attached, even for those without technical knowledge.

Differentiated Specifications and Features Compared to the Lower Model, MKE 200

A model called MKE 200 is also sold, similar to the MKE 400-II, so many may be curious about the differences. Here are the key distinctions:

＜Side Switches Equipped on the Body＞

While the MKE 200 has no switches at all, the MKE 400-II is equipped with a low-cut filter and level adjustment switches. The low-cut switch on the right can reduce low frequencies, making it effective for noise reduction. The left level adjustment switch allows you to adjust the volume according to the camera, enhancing versatility.

＜3.5 mm Plug for Headphones/Earphones＞

In addition to switches, it also features a headphone jack, enabling monitoring while recording.
Some cameras do not have headphone outputs, or may not provide sufficient volume. The MKE 400-II includes a headphone amplifier with a sufficient output of 70mW (at 32Ω), allowing you to monitor the recorded sound at an adequate volume. This enables quick detection of any audio issues.

＜Left: MKE 400-II, Right: MKE 200＞

Lastly, let’s compare the characteristics of the microphones.
The MKE 400-II has sharper directionality than the MKE 200. Regarding frequency response—how each microphone captures different sound ranges—the MKE 200 has its low frequencies pre-cut, while the MKE 400-II offers a flat response from bass to treble. It can be adjusted via switches, allowing it to be used for purposes beyond dialogue recording.

For close-range dialogue recording, or for those who may struggle with equipment, the MKE 200 seems suitable. In contrast, for outdoor recording of various subjects or when seeking versatility, the MKE 400-II would be the better choice. Since the specifications and functions of the MKE 400-II cover those of the MKE 200, if you can choose only one, the MKE 400-II would be recommended.

For Recording with Smartphones, Use the MKE 400-II Mobile Kit

Along with the MKE 400-II, a product called MKE 400-II Mobile Kit has also been released. This set product is ideal for recording with smartphones and includes a sturdy smartphone holder made by Sennheiser and a Manfrotto Pixi mini tripod.

Sennheiser / MKE 400-II Mobile Kit

Using the MKE 400-II Mobile Kit, you can achieve not only high-quality video recording but also excellent audio quality.

＜Connect the iPhone via a Converter Adapter＞

The included cable features a 3.5 mm TRRS plug, so it cannot be directly connected to an iPhone. You can use a Lightning-TRRS conversion cable for connection, so if you plan to use it with an iPhone, it’s advisable to prepare one.

With countless features, the MKE 400-II requires no complicated setup. By simply attaching it to your camera, you can enjoy a low-noise environment. True to the reputation of a long-standing microphone manufacturer, the audio quality is exceptional, allowing for very clear recordings without any issues. Additionally, thanks to its many features, you can achieve low-noise sound just by using it. The difference between noise and desired sound is represented by the signal-to-noise (S/N) ratio, and you can enjoy a clear high S/N sound compared to the built-in microphones or cheap alternatives. This microphone is highly recommended for videographers looking to elevate their dialogue recordings.

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