Sennheiser MKE 400 Microphone Definitive Review

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  • Опубликовано: 28 авг 2024

Комментарии • 116

  • @jaywalker.
    @jaywalker. Год назад +8

    The MKE 400 is a little gem, IMO. Easily won the outdoors test for me and stood up well indoors as well. Oh, and just to add a little penny onto your conclusion about the MKE 400, I think it's worth mentioning that the shorter interference tube on the MKE might be a both a blessing and a curse. While it does make it a worse shotgun microphone in that it's less directional, I think it might make it a better all-purpose microphone for indoor interviews, etc. Since longer shotgun mics often reject some of the desirable sound from the room and result in slightly unnatural vocal recordings compared to pencil condenser mics, for example, the MKE 400 might be kind of a hybrid that sits in the middle. Great video, thank you for this!

  • @TheDeanCStone
    @TheDeanCStone 2 года назад +9

    Thank you Mark for such a thorough technical review! If someone did a review of mke-400 reviews, you'd win! ☺️

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад +3

      Thanks, this is a super mic, I appreciate it even more now than I did when I did this review. It's really a great microphone.

  • @tampatrainguy8486
    @tampatrainguy8486 2 года назад +5

    Thanks for another great video and review. Needed to buy a mike for the Canon M6 Mark ii on short notice to shoot a fund-raising veterans group talk and dinner. Based on your review and a few others I went with the MKE 400 and it performed like a champ. Love the rigid design, auto-off feature and the headphone jack, it was great to monitor the sound directly during the recording while standing at the camera. Even from a bit of the distance and the speaker speaking softly, the dialog was still clear enough.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      That great to hear! Thanks for the feedback.

    • @shyamvk
      @shyamvk 9 месяцев назад

      what settings on mic and camera did you use?

  • @jaimetan
    @jaimetan 2 года назад +4

    Yay!! Was waiting for this review! Your voice sounds smoothest on the MKE400 I reckon. I’ve just got mine and testing it out… curious to see what the difference is with a female voice (I’m not liking how my voice sounds on the MKE200 either). Thanks Mark!

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад +1

      Yes, the MKE 200 really lacks bass, and the MKE 400 give some really nice smooth low end. I really like the MKE 400, especially the small form factor. I suspect the MKE 400 should work well for you.

  • @FrederickDunn
    @FrederickDunn 2 года назад

    Thank you! You are the first to add the convenience of pocketing the mic without issues. I carry my cameras on a harness and that solid aspect is appealing. Thank you for your excellent and fast-paced review! Excellent.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      Great to hear it was helpful. I am even more impresses with this mic today, than the day I made this video.

  • @faspete2nd
    @faspete2nd 2 года назад +4

    Oh man! So many microphones do so many things different these days it hard to pick one. My advice is to buy from a place with a great return policy. Your voice is the determining factor in the final purchase. If the mic cost $20.00 or $1000.00 it makes no difference if it's not a good match for your voice. Case in point, look at what Jaime Tan mentioned in the comments. Great review Mark. You have been doing a fantastic job with all the mic reviews.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      Thanks Peter, I ended up with a few too many mics going down this rabbit hole. Still have a fair few to review and have not even got onto the "broadcast style" mics and the wireless mics.

  • @RockyColaFizz
    @RockyColaFizz 2 года назад +6

    I have and really like this mic. The handling noise though, from the camera body is definitely more pronounced than other mics with the rycote mount.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад +2

      It's interesting, I find that even varies based on the camera. My Fuji's seem to give me way more handling noice than my Canon's, when using the same microphone.

  • @berndkiltz
    @berndkiltz Год назад +1

    Just bought it and like it very much. Actually unbelievable how good it sounds for the 200 bucks I paid for the mobile bundle. Nice Vid!

  • @RVKevin
    @RVKevin 2 года назад +1

    scrolling for gear this morning to solve this very problem, you video popped up. Very detailed examples Mark, thank you for taking the time to make this video, I really appreciate it. I am thinking about the MKe-400 now instead of the Rode VideoMic NTG

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      The MKE 400 has a really nice form factor. It's like pro level mic that is 1/2 the size of the others.

  • @gluteusmaximus7608
    @gluteusmaximus7608 8 месяцев назад

    Best review on this so far. Watched about 10... Good job, and thanks.

  • @thekonvos
    @thekonvos 2 года назад +2

    Bro awesome definitive review! I have the MKE 600 and love it but I need something smaller to roll out with and your video helped me to decide if to get this or not 💯🙏🏾

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      Awesome, thank you!

    • @PrudhviMitra
      @PrudhviMitra Год назад

      Is it alright vs the 600 ?

    • @Pfagnan
      @Pfagnan Месяц назад

      Thanks Mark!! I too have the MKE 600 but after your review will be getting the MKE400 for my other camera! 👏👏👏

  • @dondeanda
    @dondeanda 5 месяцев назад +1

    Great review, thanks!

  • @hayabusaTravels
    @hayabusaTravels 2 года назад +2

    0:38 to stop the woable you need to push the red mic wire into a base crevasse from the mic base. That's the purpose of those little holes situated on the mic base. It's not just for the grip.

  • @denkomaru
    @denkomaru 2 года назад +1

    been looking at getting a camera mic sometime, ill have to keep this one in mind
    solid review

  • @flyingpete
    @flyingpete 4 месяца назад

    Thanks Mark, VERY helpful.

  • @HavalKurdistanPeace4all
    @HavalKurdistanPeace4all Год назад +2

    Hi, would the size of this mic work on GoPro her 11 media mod ? Many thanks

  • @thomascollier24
    @thomascollier24 2 года назад

    Your audio samples are great

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      So kind of you to say. Thanks!

  • @roderickdeleeuw2101
    @roderickdeleeuw2101 Год назад +1

    Would the 3.5 mm output also work to hear the other side when doing zoom calls on a mac/iphone? This would prevent me buying a y-splitter.
    Moreover, I assume a normal extension (trs/ttrs) would work to make it boomed above your head?
    Great review! Thanks a bunch!

  • @iPhone-Cinematograhy
    @iPhone-Cinematograhy 6 месяцев назад

    Very helpful… Thank you.

  • @MR.MRITT.
    @MR.MRITT. Год назад

    thanks for useful video and i like sennheiser more than other and deity was the second option for me.any way thanks and keep going

  • @SamW604
    @SamW604 2 года назад +1

    Thanks for the review; however, I wish you would have compared the MKE400 to more $200 on-camera mics. Of course , it should sound better that sub-$100 mics.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад +1

      I would, if I had them at the time. This mic will be in some upcoming comparisons with more high end mics.

  • @Justin_in_London
    @Justin_in_London 2 года назад +1

    Nice review. Note, however, that Sennheiser is a German company, and they use the German pronunciation of their name in their marketing worldwide. The correct pronunciation sounds like ZEN-hi-zur, not SIN-hi-zur.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад +1

      I have been wondering about that. I have seen a few people saying it that way.

  • @draxxicek
    @draxxicek 2 года назад +1

    While I have a MKH60 in my arsenal, I do like using small mics, such as ME64 or the Røde VideoMic (mkI) or (!) very often VideoMicro. After trying the MKE200 and being disappointed, I must say that MKE400 delivers! This seems like a viable candidate to replace VideoMicro and ME66/64 in my lightweight documentary setup!
    AFAIK the Røde VideoMicro is hypercardioid unlike the supercardioid MKE400, so the comparison is still a bit off, but in your review, the VideoMicro indoors on a boom still sounded thinner than MKE400

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад +1

      Yes, agree the MKE 400 is an amazing and versatile mic. They advertise the VideoMicro as a Cardioid microphone, but it does sound more directional than that to me, more super or hyper cardioid.

  • @Doogsay
    @Doogsay 3 месяца назад

    My GO II has a usb connection into the cam other than the 3.5mm. The senn doesnt seem to. Is that an issue?

  • @KevinMullarkey
    @KevinMullarkey Год назад +1

    Rode video mic pro audio often cuts out so have ended up with recordings with no sound! Happened with two mics on two different cameras so will NEVER buy Rode products again. I've used two of the previous Sen MK400 which always gave reliable sound but the poor quality rubber suspension would always break so the MKE 400 looks ideal for me.

  • @justcallmesando
    @justcallmesando 2 года назад +1

    I know it's not the standard but could you use this microphone to record some more controlled situation like yourself right now talking in this video? (EDITED) I just got to the part where you just do that exactly. It's great to see this mic boomed. I think I can live with this for using it this way and having a great alternative for outdoors as well. Thank you.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад +1

      Yes, it's really good for that, you can use it for voiceover too.

    • @justcallmesando
      @justcallmesando 2 года назад

      @@markwiemels Thank you!!

  • @ParsclickTV
    @ParsclickTV 2 года назад

    great design im replacing mine to this I just wish the aux cable was also black and shorter.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      Yes, it sounds so good, especially for the size of the mic.

    • @OfficerArsenault
      @OfficerArsenault 2 года назад

      I thought the same, I bought a 6 inch black cord I got at a camera store. Just fits!

  • @Fotomensch
    @Fotomensch 2 года назад +1

    Can you switch the mke400 on manually? Or is it auto only? The automatic on/off doesn't seem work with the Atomos Ninja V with many mics

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад +1

      Yes, you can do it manually. Push the little power light that would normally come on automaticity.

  • @MrPennyNichols
    @MrPennyNichols Год назад

    I'm getting a really bad low-end "honk" from this mic. The sound would otherwise be very good, but if you're within 7 inches the "honk" on bassy syllables makes it completely unusable. I've tested it next to other mics in different settings and different distances. I've even tried dampening the housing with rubber bands....but it's still there. Maybe my unit is defective, but my guess is that it's the actual cylindrical case that's causing this.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  Год назад

      I have not noticed this on mine, but I mostly use it on camera and the subjects are further away.

  • @Tout-pour-la-musique
    @Tout-pour-la-musique 11 месяцев назад

    A big drawback occurred to me: the warning of battery discharge does not work.

  • @jasonl4718
    @jasonl4718 2 года назад

    Testing outdoors when thereʻs light to moderate winds is also a great way to compare. Hope u can try that next time!
    Liked & subbed!

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      Yes, I agree. I have discovered that I live in an area with "gusty" wind, which has made it hard to do any sort of consistent testing, particularly when doing comparisons to other mics. I think it would be a better real world test, if I could pull it off.

  • @mnovaes
    @mnovaes 2 года назад

    Do you think that the Sennheiser MKE 400 could work also as a desktop/studio mic when not on the field? I moved from the RODE VideoMicro to the RODE VideoMic NTG, but feels quite bulky and I never figured out a compact/safe way to carry it in a bag because of the shock mount (any tips?). I think the MKE 400 form factor would make me more likely to bring it more often/fearing less to damage it. On the other hand, I guess the main disadvantage of the MKE 400 on a desktop (connected to an amp) would be having to turn it on/off only when in use not to go over the batteries in no time?

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад +1

      Yea, I think it would work very well. The more I use this mic, the more impressed I am with it.

  • @propylaeen
    @propylaeen 6 месяцев назад

    Take one of the red spiral cables with gold contacts from røde and this mic is superbe!

    • @ijovy3
      @ijovy3 6 месяцев назад

      i have that cable - how would it help?

    • @propylaeen
      @propylaeen 6 месяцев назад

      @@ijovy3 The blue Sennheiser cable is making crackling noises if slightly touched... the red Røde cable with the gold TRS plugs don't do this harsh handling with the cable rotating it in the plug while recording no crackling sound...

  • @kyleledotnet
    @kyleledotnet 2 года назад

    What settings should I use for mine? +20 and lowcut on or off?

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      +20 if you can make that work with your camera (ie you can turn the gain down enought in the camera). You basically use the highest level on the mic, that you can make work with the camera. For the low cut, this is personal preference, I think it's better with it off, but if you are in a busy city, or there is lots of wind around, you may want to turn it on to get rid of the low level rumble.

    • @kyleledotnet
      @kyleledotnet 2 года назад

      @@markwiemels Thank you Mark!! I tried +20 and -12 on my Panasonic G9.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      @@kyleledotnet perfect! and I would only use the low pass filter if you see wind that is triggering the audio meters, but you can also use an eq to introduce a high pass in editing, so I would only use the high pass on the microphone if you don’t want to edit the audio at all. Generally it is better to let the mic capture all the frequencies, then you can decide what you want to do with it when you are editing.

    • @kyleledotnet
      @kyleledotnet 2 года назад

      @@markwiemels I notice that even in a relative quiet backyard I still hear a lot of environmental noise that might need noise removal on final cut pro. I prefer not to edit audio at all so I might just leave the low pass filter on all the time, even though you are right, voices do sound better with it on, but i have noticed less noise when it on as well.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      @@kyleledotnet keep in mind that the low pass will only deal with the low frequencies, if your voice still sounds fine with the low pass on, then there is no real harm in using it. The mke 400 is one of the better mics I have tested in regards to focusing on what’s in front of it, and eliminating noise from the sides and back.

  • @jiff1982
    @jiff1982 Год назад

    i purchased this mic because of your video, but i am super disappointed in it, it has noise no matter what i do you can hear it, what setting are you using.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  Год назад +1

      hmm... are you sure it's not the pre-amps in your camera? I use the middle or highest boost on the mic and then adjust the camera accordingly. Manual audio settings in the camera, not auto.

  • @bilalmuhammad4541
    @bilalmuhammad4541 2 года назад

    Hey can you pls make a video about how to set On-Camera mic on Boom stand for studio use?
    Thanks

  • @frankluo230
    @frankluo230 2 года назад

    I found it odd no review on RUclips compares it to its closest brother MKE600. The 600 is 5yr old but can be had for the same price as new MKE400. Any reason no RUclipsr think they are comparable?

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад +1

      I hope to do that comparison. It is a very different form factor, but I agree, I’m surprised no one has done the comparison.

    • @frankluo230
      @frankluo230 2 года назад

      @@markwiemels Both are on camera shotgun small diaphragm condenser mic I don't think they differ all that much. KA600 cable allows MKE600 to plug straight into camera too. Single AA battery is better than two AAA batteries. MKE600 doesn't come with any blimp system or windjammer but a slip on super softie will provide more or less the same wind protection circa -30db, extra $100.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад +1

      @@frankluo230 yah. The 600 is a great mic, but it’s really a shotgun mic that is more at home on a boom pole, or a big cinema camera, than todays typical mirrorless camera. It’s really the form factor that is significantly different. 600 would win for flat out audio quality for sure.

    • @frankluo230
      @frankluo230 2 года назад

      @@markwiemels Sennheiser thinks they belong to the same MKE series though. I hope early next year Sennheiser announces a blimp shaped MKE600 II.

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      @@frankluo230 yes, same series, all microphone for video production. I have an MKE 440 I’m testing out now, which is a pretty special microphone, that no one talks about, the sound is really amazing.

  • @amirulrasyidyussof
    @amirulrasyidyussof Год назад

    sir, what camera you use and what the preamp setting for the base db mke 400?

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  Год назад

      Fuji X-T4, was about 30% on the camera, middle setting on the mic.

    • @amirulrasyidyussof
      @amirulrasyidyussof Год назад

      @@markwiemels I see... do you ever try matching the mic with sony cameras? If yes, may I know the setting?

  • @petrub27
    @petrub27 7 месяцев назад

    all 3 of your video angles have different exposure level

  • @frosini_Kats
    @frosini_Kats Год назад

    I bought mke 400.
    I have xiaomi 12 so i used an adaptor.
    The sound is terrible and you hear some noices. Why is this happening?
    Maybe cheap adaptor?

    • @joestrahl6980
      @joestrahl6980 Год назад

      Could it be you are using the wrong cable TRS vs TRRS? That can lead to terrible results with a TRS cable into a phone.

    • @Rhythm_Academy
      @Rhythm_Academy 10 месяцев назад

      I think auto mic levels at Xiaomi 12 does it

  • @KevinMullarkey
    @KevinMullarkey Год назад

    Why doesn't the auto power work with my Panasonic Lumix S5 but it does work with my Lumix FZ2000?

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  Год назад

      Good question, I'm not sure.

    • @boahandarrowsproductions4326
      @boahandarrowsproductions4326 Год назад

      From what I've read it depends if the camera can send power out of the mic port.

    • @Eatmeraw
      @Eatmeraw Год назад +1

      you need plug-in power enabled on your mic socket options. Thats how the auto power on-off works.

    • @KevinMullarkey
      @KevinMullarkey Год назад +1

      Thanks that sorted the problem

  • @johnheiser2604
    @johnheiser2604 10 месяцев назад

    You've won me. Now let's go shopping.

  • @adnan_velic
    @adnan_velic 2 года назад

    I got a mke200 and man it picks up a lot of noise around me. Is the mke400 any better? Looking to replace my deity d3 pro as it’s huge

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      It's one of the best mics I own for noise rejection. Check out my review of the Rode VideoMic Go II, I have a real world test of the MKE-400 in that video.

    • @adnan_velic
      @adnan_velic 2 года назад

      @@markwiemels thanks for the video Mark. Have you compared it to the deity d3 pro? If so which one do you prefer for sound quality?

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад

      @@adnan_velic It's also in the comparison, It's so close between the MKE-400 and the D3 pro, that it comes down to personal preference. The MKE-400 is much better at off axis rejection. I probably prefer the pure sound out of the D3 Pro, but it's so close that I use the MKE-400 all the time for the size and auto-power on/off.

    • @adnan_velic
      @adnan_velic 2 года назад

      @@markwiemels sold ! I’m willing to sacrifice a little sound quality over portability. I very rarely use my d3 pro and I have used it a handful of times in Public vlogging it’s just too damn big. I’m returning the mke200 and getting the mke400. Thank you so much for the help!

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  2 года назад +1

      @@adnan_velic You will be super happy with the MKE-400.

  • @swfilm4685
    @swfilm4685 Год назад

    yes best mic ever
    😇

  • @KevinMullarkey
    @KevinMullarkey Год назад

    What is the advantage of having the mic cable as detachable as opposed to the conventional hard wired to the mic? You can always add a female extension cable to extend it and why the bright blue colour?

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  Год назад +1

      If the cable is damaged it can be replaced by the user.

  • @KevinMullarkey
    @KevinMullarkey Год назад

    Have you tried the mic when the camera is powered by the mains instead of a battery? I did and it picks up a very loud humming noise. I dont have such a problem with my Rode Video pro mic or 15 year old Sennheiser mke400mk1 (still y goto mic). Happens on two Panasonic Limix cameras S5 & FZ2000. Does anyone else have this issue?

  • @peekapeekabooboo
    @peekapeekabooboo 3 месяца назад

    Sold on shelf life. I also have this paranoia. This is really a weird model IMHO. We need to save this planet and make things as reusable and long lasting as possible. Having a inbuilt battery that can die anytime IMHO is waste of resources and money.

  • @BuildsWithV
    @BuildsWithV Год назад

    Would you recommend this or the Sony ecm b10 for someone who owns the a6400 (can’t use the digital audio feature). I’m very new to audio so I have no idea if the analog makes any difference. Thanks

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  Год назад

      I have not tested that mic, so I can't share any real insight.

    • @BuildsWithV
      @BuildsWithV Год назад

      @@markwiemels all good. Ended up testing that mic against my cheap movo mic and the movo sounded better when compared to the Sony on analog mode. Digital sounded slightly better

  • @Abror.Akromov
    @Abror.Akromov 8 месяцев назад

    Rode videomic Go 2 and Sennheiser mke 400. Which of these two microphones is better to use for ASMR videos? Some bloggers claim that the Sennheiser mke 400 microphone has relatively strong 'self noise', is that true?

    • @gluteusmaximus7608
      @gluteusmaximus7608 8 месяцев назад

      The self noise is a bit higher on the MKE 400. If you are recording ASMR on your computer I suggest trying some noise gate or noise filtering software. Steelseries Sonar is the only working one that is free I've found so far. The AI noise cancelling works well. But then again if you are doing ASMR, I think a microphone with a different polar pattern might be better, as I imagine you would want to pick up sound from multiple directions.

  • @PrudhviMitra
    @PrudhviMitra Год назад

    How does this compare to the mKe 600

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  Год назад +1

      I have a video about the 600 on the channel, with this mic in the comparison.

    • @PrudhviMitra
      @PrudhviMitra Год назад

      yeah i have seen that. so are you saying the 600 is the best in terms of all out quality ? but the 400 is great for the size, but still not as good as the 600 (obvious im guessing)
      @@markwiemels

  • @markshirley01
    @markshirley01 8 месяцев назад

    Im seeing comments that the hotshoe ring can break

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  8 месяцев назад

      I have not had an issues, after lots of use, but it is plastic. I look after my gear, but if you are hard on you stuff I suppose it could break.

  •  Год назад

    Thanks for this review.
    I’m really considering this mic for my video kit
    Do you have any self noise issues like reported in this video : ruclips.net/video/RJwb55v0z4E/видео.html
    ?
    Thanks again for your really good videos

    • @markwiemels
      @markwiemels  Год назад +1

      No, I have never noticed this issue with mine.

    •  Год назад

      @@markwiemels Good ! Thanks a lot !

  • @ahoyleisure
    @ahoyleisure Год назад

    I have the MKE 400 and its amazing - best sound but that plastic hotshoe - watch my vlog to see what happened. I said it would happen. So frustrating!!!!