Sennheiser MKE 600 shotgun mic

Sennheiser MKE 600 shotgun mic The Sennheiser MKE 600 shotgun microphone is aimed at video journalists, offering high directivity to reject unwanted sound.

‘Reporting and media productions have an increasingly broad base nowadays, with information needing to be transmitted extremely quickly, which also means that the technology used has to be as uncomplicated as possible,’ says Kai Lange, Product Manager for Wired Microphones at Sennheiser. ‘With the MKE 600, we are presenting the ideal microphone for video journalists who want to produce a report or a film in perfect video and audio quality but do not wish to resort to highly professional shotgun microphones or a separate wireless link. In developing the MKE 600, we paid particular attention to achieving a high level of directivity and a balanced sound.’

A shockmount with an integral flashmount adapter is included to enable the MKE 600 to be fixed to a video camera without difficulty. The design of the shock mount prevents handling noise from being transmitted to the microphone. Like any other shotgun mic, the MKE 600 can also be used on a microphone boom.

For cameras that do not provide phantom power, the MKE 600 can be powered by a standard AA battery. A switch is provided to deactivate the battery power when the camera is not in use. An LED on the battery switch (Low Batt) indicates when the battery voltage is low, at which point the video journalist still has a reserve of around eight hours – ‘built-in recording security,’ as Lange describes it.

The MKE 600 comes with a foam windshield that reduces wind noise by around 25dB; the shock mount and a carrying case are also included. For outside broadcasting, a ‘blimp’ basket windshield (MZH 600) – a combined foam windshield and hairy cover that reduces wind noise more effectively than a foam windshield – is available as an optional accessory. A further option is a coiled connecting cable (KA 600) from an XLR-3 connector to a 3.5mm jack plug.

Technical Data:

· Pick-up pattern super-cardioid/lobar

· Frequency response 40Hz to 20kHz

· Sensitivity with P48 phantom power 21mV/Pa

· Sensitivity with battery power 19mV/Pa

· Max sound pressure level with P48 132dB SPL

· Max. SPL with battery power 126dB SPL

· Equivalent noise level with P48 15dB (A)

· Equivalent noise level with battery power 16dB (A)

· Power supply 48V ±4V (P48, IEC 61938) via XLR-3 or AA battery/rechargeable battery (1.5V/1.2V)

· Current consumption with P48 4.4mA

· Operating time with battery approx. 150 h