Sennheiser announced MKE 400, Lav mics and mobile kits

Sennheiser

Mobile content production is more common than ever, and Sennheiser has responded with a slew of new products aimed at these on-the-go creators’ audio needs.

Sennheiser has released the second generation of its iconic MKE 400 on-camera shotgun microphone, as well as new XS Lav microphones for smartphones. In addition, Mobile Kits with a Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod and Sennheiser Smartphone Clamp, as well as one of their audio devices, are being released.

Sennheiser

The MKE 400 is an on-camera shotgun microphone with a super-cardioid polar pattern for directional audio pickup. The sound coming from the front of the camera will be clear, but sounds coming from the sides will be rejected.

The MKE 200, introduced last year, has been upgraded with a built-in windscreen housing that covers the shock-mounted mic capsule. Although the MKE 400 comes with a fuzzy windscreen, it’s not nearly as necessary for lighter breezes that are already muted by the perforated housing architecture.

 

The MKE 400 has a low-cut filter switch, a three-step sensitivity switch, a 3.5mm headphone output, and an 8-step audio level dial for headphone monitoring for added control over audio recording.

The MKE 400 is powered by two AAA batteries that, according to Sennheiser, will last for 100 hours of operation. Cameras with a plug-in power microphone port will use the auto-on and auto-off feature to ensure that no recordings are messed up due to forgetting to turn the mic on, and no battery is drained due to forgetting to turn it off. When the microphone is plugged in, it will turn on and off with the video. When you unplug certain smartphone models, the microphone will also turn off. The microphone still has a power button that can be used manually if necessary.

The Sennheiser MKE 400 costs $200 and is currently available for purchase. A fuzzy windscreen is included, as well as a TRS cable for connecting to cameras, a TRRS cable for connecting to mobile devices, and a pouch to hold it together.

The Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod and Sennheiser Smartphone Clamp are included in the MKE 400 Mobile Kit for $230.

Wired Microphone XS Lav

Lavalier microphones, which are normally attached to the speaker’s clothes, are excellent for isolating someone’s voice since they are positioned far closer to the source. Sennheiser’s latest XS Lav is a 2-meter wired omnidirectional lavalier mic that connects to smartphones and computers.

The XS Lav is available in two versions: $50 with a 3.5mm TRRS jack and $60 with a USB-C port. Each comes with a windscreen that can be removed and a carrying pouch. Sennheiser recommends the USB-C version for video conferencing because the 3.5mm jack can interfere with audio quality on some devices.

The Manfrotto PIXI Mini Tripod and Sennheiser Smartphone Clamp are included in the XS Lav USB-C Mobile Kit for $100.