Wow, I couldn't actually hear much of a difference between any of the audio with those mics. Well, I'm locked into the MKE 400, no time to get something else for an upcoming gig. Thanks for a fantastic review! Wishing you all the best in 2022!
I have a video NTG and I would still want to get this due to the size and the build. The issue I have with Rose mic is the shock mount that is flimsy and it breaks if it’s not placed right in the bag. This one would solve that issue and it’s more compact as well. Also, I can always get rechargeable AAA batteries to overcome the issue of rechargability.
Fascinating, that mic sound comparison part was the best I've ever seen! My only disappointment was that I forgot to giggle when you started talking about furry muffs, ah well must be a sign that I'm getting close to 40 years old. Could you please change that sign in the background to read 'Dunna is better than Peter Mckinnon' ? Thanks man 👍
Being someone who backpacks to my filming locations this may be the new mic for me. Like many I've had and have my share of mics. The MKE 440 (Wide/bulky), Deity Pro 3 (Huge. Too long for wide shots), and an old Rode Pro (wire broke/melted). The 440 has been dropped hard and had the windscreen melted but it still works. I liked the lows on the Rode slightly better but portability wise it's not so great. Fragile too. Looks like I'll be trying the MKE 400. I run two cameras both with mics and a Zoom set far enough away for continuous backup audio. All outdoors nature stuff. Good audio is so important. People comment about the clean audio on my lava videos often. Nice review. Thanks...
Nice review. Why so much emphasis on the size, though? I think in every other way the VideoMic NTG is a better buy. They're both good options, but the Rode sounds better, and is more versatile (USB straight into computer, works well on a boom, etc., etc.) PS. I feel obliged to add with every review of an on camera mic that the #1 determinant of sound quality is placement. Unless you're vloging, your subject is probably too far away from your camera to capture really good audio, no matter the microphone.
The rode is also $100 more expensive too. But In general, I still prefer the rode. That being said, there have been a good number of times when I am picking which mic to grab, I look at the bag I’m taking and how much space is left, and the sennheiser wins because of its size, in fact, even when I do grab the rode I often also grab the sennheiser as a backup now haha. So I guess the reason that the size was such a huge factor in my review is because the sound is nearly as good but the size has actually made an impact on the way that I use it. In the past, mics of the same size could never deliver that. PS. Agreed.
First, love the review. Very practical and informative. I agree that the Rode NTG is still the winner. I've been using the Rode NTG, and I love how versatile and feature rich it is compared with the other options on the market. That said, I do like Sennheiser products and it appears this is a solid option.
@@dunnadidit The MKE200 has Insane High Wind noise performance. I'd say maybe you could do a wind test with all of these and see which performs best for us? The MKE200 i'll say will pretty much win. I've used it out on a Fishing Trip and Constant high winds and gusts and it handled it like if it was in a professional Blimp. The MKE 400 not so much as the Furry doesn't cover the entire mic like the MKE200 does. If you look at the MKE200 Frequency Curve you'll see why it sounds like that they literally cut the low end off, it starts to roll off from around 350-400 Hz !!! But it may be the best in seriously windy conditions out in the open and Run and Gun scenarios. Hope you can do a Wind noise Test on the mics you have available. As well comparing the MKE 400 to the 200 Maybe MKE 200 would be best suited for an action Cam?
It’s less of a dead cat and more of a toupee. So that’s cool. I won’t be switching any time soon but this looks and or sounds great. Never realized how tinny the micro go sounds but makes sense.
I totally know what you mean. The micro sounds just dandy until you put it up against something better, then all of a sudden you’re like woah! It’s like not realizing how short/tall you are until you’re next to someone who’s the opposite.
Funny story. I'm looking into replacing my current Røde mic and was looking at the MKE400 .. then I thought, "I wonder if Dunna's tried this?" and here we are. Going to check for a MKE400 vs MKE200 review and see what fits for out on the town ...
Imo, the MKE 400 can match the sound of the others with a bit of eq. I think that for most people, they don’t want to EQ, and why should they? Especially with all the other options available. I think that is why the RODE is a popular choice especially that NTG, since controlling the eq is one less thing to worry about.
I have the MKE 400. Great for the price and also nice to have as a backup for bigger jobs. It is very rugged, throw it in a camerabag and never a problem. Had to buy batteries once, forgot to charge the rechargables 😂 cheap ones from IKEA, work fine 😊 For 100$ max budget the MKE 200 is great.
I don’t know if I just got a bad one but directional mic it is not. This thing will even pick up Lens focus noise on my canon. When the lens is hunting.
I'm just digging that its not on shock mounts which I break super easily when putting it in my bag. I got the MKE 200, and found it was a good sweet spot of size and quality
That sign in the background… is that your saying or did Peter give that to you? When I met him, I asked for a quote to go by and he said “done is better than perfect” 🤔
Great video!! I have it and it works very well, I get rich and clear audio and I have it camera mounted on my gimbal DJI RS2. It’s small enough to have it well balanced on a gimbal provided that one lowers the a camera a bit on the gimbal otherwise it gets top heavy. It’s directional to work if the talent is 2 meter or 6 feet in front of the camera. With the dead cat on it can handle some wind. It’s a wonderful small package. I had a commercial job with talking heads outdoors during a windy day and matched pretty well with Rode NTG3 with a blimp. I was actually surprised how well it matched. The MKE400 actually is a combo of a blimp and mic. It’s a genius design!
Just so everyone is aware energizer does make AAA rechargeable batterys just like AA you can get them at Lowes or home depot hardware stores that you can use with this Mic
Omg I love this video lol 😂, gotta get jiggy wit it ooh that’s it, that was a good way to do the comparison and great song choice 😉, I would of had a hard time keeping a straight face saying that so many times.
Hey Dunna! Thanks for the review my Friend. I notice at 6:39 you say we should have more gain from the microphone and less from the camera. Does that mean I should turn my camera all the way down and just regulate everything from the mic itself? I am thinking of buying the Rode VideoMic NTG, as per your other review. So in this case, turn my camera sound all the way down and just turn the knob on my mic?
@@dunnadidit one didn't stand out to you? Hiss on my ntg is out of control. I read all those noise floors and even made a chart 😂 in real life didn't seem to matter
@@travisraab when I first got the ntg that was an issue but they released a firmware update that fixed it! If you haven’t tried that yet I suggest that!
Dunma i totally miss the comparison to the brilliant Sony EZM-B1M Shotgun Mic as a Competitor. Thins this would be zhe hardest Test against each other.
Nice Nelly Ref at the end lol, Mic looks like a good fit for that compact vlogger setup. If you had to suggest a shotgun or professional mic sun $1000usd what would you be leaning to?
Lol 😂 it wasn’t supposed to be a Nelly ref but I guess with all the other will smith references that would make sense. I’ve been using the rode ntg5 for my main xlr audio and it’s great. I’m planning to do a comparison with the sennheiser MK416 once I can get my hands on it.
Awesome video, I am looking for a microphone for indoor talkhead videos that is easy to use without needing any external recordings or any advanced post edits. What do you recommend? For any budget
What is the exact MOVO deadcat you're using with the RODE VideoMic NTG? 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?
Hi Dunna! Great video, as always! :) But you know what, you being an audio specialist, IMHO you should do a video explaining the differences, pros&cons and why "one or the other" between a mic like this Sennheiser and something like any ZOOM Hxn...what do you think? :)
Wowww this came just perfect! If you were in the market for one of those Mics... which one would you buy? All are in this 240€ range...I'm doing a cooking youtube channel, so it will be mostly indoor sound. Thank you so much for your work!
I recently purchased one and tested it outdoors. I used the included deadcat and the wind noise was terrible. It was a mild wind and the footage was unusable. I have been using the Rode vidmic pro plus and video micro and wind noise was never an issue. I really want to love this microphone but am quite disappointed 😞.
Nothing beats the Videomic NTG's ability to also run as a USB mic to the computer! Not only do my videos have awesome quality sound, so do my Zoom meetings!
I have a u87 for my zoom calls. It's pretty nice lol. Sadly its way to expensive to use as a camera mic so i got a mke 400 for that. Not disappointed at all
All pretty close but the 2 RODE mics actually sounded better than the others but all the Mics were better than what ever you were using for the whole presentation the Presentation mic sounds tinny. The best on camera mic I have is a shotgun mic I got with my old Canon XL-1 and I added a $159 (1995 dollars) Dead Cat That really works none of the crap wind break I see you have there has a chance against mine. I found if you use a finger from a surgical rubber glove or a male contraceptives' device over them (especially with the cheap mics)in conjunction with the cheap wind muffs they have even greater wind protection without noticeable reduction in volume. Again JMHO Bro.
thanks for sharing your thoughts. I went back and listened again and I definitely don’t think my main mic is more “tinny” either that or your definition of “tinny” is different than what people generally refer to as tinny. Regardless, the comparison is flawed because the main mic has a bunch of processing, eq, compression, noise reduction etc on it and it’s in a different position to keep it out of the shot. The other mics had no processing and were sitting all in the same position on the table (pointing up rather than down which probably makes a bigger difference than anything else because the reflections will be completely different). What I’m saying isn’t that you’re right or wrong about the mic, it’s that the comparison doesn’t necessarily make sense to do. As for the wind protection, that’s great for you that you found something that works so well! And very interesting diy solution too! Thanks for sharing.
As you know a lot of your Audio depends immensely on what one is listing on from their computer. I'll bet 90% are listening on a$20 set of add on computer speakers. I just happen to be Listening to this video/audio on an Turtle Beach 5.1 Surround system. Then too you have no Idea what U-TUBBY has done to your Video/Audio with their compression. Have an AWESOME day BRO.
Yeah I always check my mixes on my mixing headphones, a set of nice studio speakers and then on either my phone or laptop too just to make sure it sounds good across devices!
In my experience, the d3 and d3 pro sound basically the same. That’s why I didn’t include it. I’m pretty sure they use the same capsule and the only differences are the features.
Do you think that this is a better deal of the vidMic pro+? Form factor is not a problem and I can find the vidmicpro+ the same price range at the moment so after this video I'm kinda unsure 😱
That’s a tough one. VMP+ probably sounds better IMO, so if there are some features you prefer on either, just have to prioritize and weight everything there.
@@dunnadidit I ended buying the Hollyland Lark 150 duo kit because I ended with the assumption that for my use case having double mic imput + wireless capabilities was vastly more importan. Anywaiy thanks for your contents
If I currently have the Deity D3 (standard version, not pro), and am looking to do more interview and instructional course work, would this be worth the upgrade do you think? Right now it seems like the dB adjustments on-mic would make it worth it, plus I like that it has more bass than the Deity. But I'm not sure if maybe there's more I can squeeze out of what I currently have. Thoughts?
I just looked up this video because, plugged into my Canon EOS R, the MKE 400 I bought this year has some really horrible noise that runs consistently in the background, even with recording levels turned down in-camera. Has anyone else had this problem? Is it the mic or is it because I'm a canon user?
great and informative. Gonna have to agree with your rankings for each microphone doe. I was on the fence for this and the NTG but now I know which to get, thanks!
Does this mic, mke400, record voice of the shooter? In other words, does it record sound coming from rear? I need a mic that can record from both sides
Mmhmm… I agree. That’s why I talked so much about the features, functions, size and such. They both sound about as good as you can get in this kind of mic.
Dunna, I am looking for a mic/audio recorder duo that can do everything. I use a Sony A7IV, and I am looking to do several types of video: studio/podcast/streaming, YT content including different sounds that water makes and pens make (I do reviews of fountain pens and tea), vocals (singing), and run-and-gun video both indoors and out. I prefer to spend on quality, and only have to spend once. I did order a Zoom H6 and Shure SM7B, but I am wondering if I did the right thing... especially since the SM7B is more of a studio-only, stationary microphone. Do you have any recommendations for me? Should I keep the Zoom H6 or should I look into the RodeCasterPro instead? Should I keep the Shure and get a different microphone for the camera?
Hey Michelle! Finding any kind of gear that "can do everything" is a really tricky one. I don't think the sm7b is right in your case as it's not great for the small sounds. That being said, it's great for voice (talking and singing) but you will need something to boost it's quiet signal (people often use a cloudlifter). The H6 on the other hand is a bit more of an all purpose solution that would work for you, and the nice thing is that if you have other microphones that you use for specific things, you can plug them into the H6 and use it as a recorder. To be honest, your best bet is going to be to get separate tools for separate jobs, but in the end, a microphone picks up sound no matter what the source so you could technically use any microphone for anything. That said, I'll leave my recommendations for you here just in case. My current recco's: Run and gun (on the camera) - Rode videomic go ii: geni.us/54CjkY2 Singing/Vocal(close) mic - Rode NT1: geni.us/zerr Portable Recording Device/Stereo Mic for asmr and found sounds - you already have the H6 and thats solid.
@@dunnadidit you are awesome!!! Thank you for your response. You are so helpful. I was really questioning which mic to get for the camera itself for run-and-gun, so thank you for that recommendation. I hadn’t gotten anything for that use yet. So… because it was Black Friday and Cyber Weekend, I ended up ordering a bunch of stuff with the mindset that I can return what I don’t need, but at least I got the things on sale. I would really love if you’d be willing to check this out and give me some feedback on it. I don’t want to waste money on something that isn’t necessary, but I am also really concerned with getting quality audio recordings. I’m the type to buy once, buy for life. So… this is what I got to try out: -Zoom H6 and hot shoe mount -RodeCaster Pro II -Rode NT55 pair (for the ambient sounds and ASMR-like sounds of the water and pen to paper etc.) -Shure SM7B -SmallRig A7IV Cage -Gator Frameworks stands (two different ones to test which I like more, one is the Gator Frameworks Short Weighted Base Microphone Stand with Telescopic Boom Arm and 2.5 Lbs Counter Weight; Ideal for Desktop, Recording, and Streaming (GFW-MIC-0822) and one is the Gator Frameworks Professional Desktop Broadcast/Podcast Microphone Boom Stand with On-Air Indicator Light (GFWMICBCBM4000)) On my wish list is the Sennheiser EW 112P G4 Camera-Mount Wireless Omni Lavalier Mic, in the case I decide to talk while filming instead of dubbing over and I can’t use the Shure for the job… I can have that for my voice with the NT55s positioned for the sounds. So I guess my thought was to get the H6 for a good, portable and all-around solution for any kind of sound I may need… with the added bonus of having two mics on it already for any other sound tracks I may need, but the RodeCaster Pro II for when I’m seated at the computer (I was told the H6 was alright, but for better quality sound, I’d want something with better pickups. Not sure if that’s accurate or not… it may have been the salesperson at the store wanting me to spend more. Now, if you tell me that the RodeCaster Pro II is a bit of overkill, and that I should just return it, I’ll trust you-but then I need to know how to set up the H6 when I want to work “in studio” at my desk/computer and how to make it stationary so that it isn’t moving around while trying to use it. I did grab these before you were able to respond because of the fact that I wanted to take advantage of sales, but I have a long return window. What do you think of the items I got? Would you tell me to return any of the items? Should I get a Loupedeck either in addition or instead of the RodeCaster Pro II and just use the H6 and that (I was thinking to use it for Lightroom, Premiere, any streaming I may do, and anything else I may need to automate). If I should get one, should I get the Live, the CT, or the new Live S? Man, I’m sorry that I keep asking more things… but I really trust your judgment and I like your content. ❤️❤️❤️
Seems like you’ve got a great handle on it! I love the buy it and try it method! It may be a little bit more than what you “need” but it will all definitely serve the purposes that it’s good for! You made some solid choices. I’d say the rodecaster sounds maybe a bit overkill if you have the H6, but that being said, the rodecaster has preamps that I believe can handle the sm7b without a cloudlifter so maybe that would be the reason to keep use it. I think at this point, you get it all, test it out for a bit and see what feels right. It’s tough to narrow down specifically what’s right/wrong for you! But you’ve got this!!
@@dunnadidit would you return the RodeCaster to save funds? Or would you keep it? How much of a difference does it make in the audio? I’m just wondering if the expense makes sense… even though the board is gorgeous.
I’ve never had the pleasure of using the rodecaster so it’s tough for me to say specifically. I use a focusrite interface to do any recording to the computer.
I have recently bought the RODE videomic GO. And I am quite disappointed because it makes some noise. Using it in the PC with OBS I use some filter to cancel that noise, but using it on the camera, I hope that with posproduction I can fix it. Do you know about this? I have seen some reviews of the same problem. Thanks for sharing with us!
I really couldn't tell the difference. Between the 3 I wanna get me the mke 400 but deity is cheaper and really can't hear the difference between the 2
I’m looking for a microphone that has that 3.5mm jack for the wireless go, but I’m not sure what I should look at for environments that extremely loud. Ie concerts next to speakers. Ty for the video!
Could you recommend a decent Cam Mic for recording music live ?it’s for live street gigs (I think a shotgun would be fine as it would be directed at an AER Domino 2A Amp.. We tried using an Apogee MiC (just perfect for live ‘indoor’ venues but too clean for outdoor gigs) I came across a few cam mics on eBay that I thought may suit & well priced , sE Electronics ProMic Laser, Deity D3, Rode video mic pro & Sennheisers.. I’m guessing the Sennheisers & Deity maybe a little bright? Does a deadcat soften the high end detail more or maybe too much compared to a foam windshield ? I would still like to have a little street ambience. Thanks 🙏🏻
Not much personal experience in this area, but I did put my Sennheiser MKE 600 to the test yesterday filming a jazz band outdoors in the park. The audio was incredible, it's all usable and I was really impressed. I didn't have headphones to level the audio, just pressed record and filmed. Also, i used the XLR to 3.5mm jack adapter, so the audio could've been better if I had been recording into an XLR input. Because I want another mic to match the 600 and I am really happy with sennheiser overall, I am looking to get the 400 for a 2nd mic and to leave on any video camera I'm filming with. Cheers
"Honey honey come ride! D-K-N-Y all up in my eye you gotta Prada.." I still like my Rode products like the Video micro for run and gun, Wireless Go, and inherited a VideoMic Pro from someone awesome! I'm sure at the end of the day with some Accusonus post processing, the end user wouldn't notice a difference... except you of course.
Haha yeah I totally hear you. And that’s exactly the reason why the sound test isn’t the biggest part of this video. It’s important but they all sound decent enough, so then functionality becomes a super important point. And price and so on. And on top of all that, everyone weights those things differently. Being a reviewer is fun.
I'm debating between this or the Deity D3. If it was just about getting an on-camera mic, it'd be a no-brainer to pick the MKE 400. But for the same price, I can get the D3, a 2nd lav mic for my wireless setup, and a dead cat. So do I go for great function and ergonomics in one mic or covering as much ground as I can?
I wouldn't recommend the D3 pro. Mine died after a year of use and their warranty required me to ship it to them for repair (not replace) which would've cost me $100 CAD above the cost of the mic to ship it to their office in China. Beyond that, their warranty only lasts a year and only if you buy through them, not through Amazon or a distributor. Beyond even that, if they decide that the repair wasn't necessary they can charge you an additional $35 USD or $52 CAD. The total cost of the D3 pro if it doesn't work and they charge you for repair time is a total of $450 CAD. If I had known that going in I would've just bought the MKE 600. Hope I reached you in time King
Hey guys I need help. I’m a musician and I’m going to be using my iPhone 13 pro max to record music auditions in a couple weeks. I’m wondering should I get the Sennheiser mke400 to help improve the recording or does it matter. We will be recording in a recital hall where it’s very live. Or will my 13 pro max microphone be good enough to record auditions? I used to own a MD 421 and have loved Sennheiser since but wondering does the shotgun mic record musical instruments like a saxophone, flute, and so on very well. I understand the MKE is for vlogging but has anyone tried it out with instrument recording?
Thanks for an excellent review. The Rode does sound slightly cleaner but because of the form factor of the MKE thats landed the sale from me. Turns up tomorrow!
![[[OFFICIAL MV]] เอิ้นขวัญให้อ้าย- อ๊ะอาย สกุณาพร | ค่ายเพลงเป็นหนึ่ง](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/83x6L3X3qh0/mqdefault.jpg)
Wow, I couldn't actually hear much of a difference between any of the audio with those mics. Well, I'm locked into the MKE 400, no time to get something else for an upcoming gig. Thanks for a fantastic review! Wishing you all the best in 2022!
Currently I’m using Sennheiser MKE400 for my talking head shot and Deity D4 duo for vlogging. My opinion MKE400 is the best! 🔥
Nice!!
Mantap iman! Aku nak try jugak lah MKE400 ni
If I hadn't picked up the RE-20, I would strongly consider this upgrade in terms of shotgun mics from my at-875r
Can I use for my TikTok 🎤 singing stuff plz reply
yang ni jujur dari hati ke bro? sumpah eh mke400 best?
I have a video NTG and I would still want to get this due to the size and the build. The issue I have with Rose mic is the shock mount that is flimsy and it breaks if it’s not placed right in the bag. This one would solve that issue and it’s more compact as well.
Also, I can always get rechargeable AAA batteries to overcome the issue of rechargability.
Thanks! I'm going to get one. I have broken so many shock mounts it will pay for itself after a few projects.
Fascinating, that mic sound comparison part was the best I've ever seen!
My only disappointment was that I forgot to giggle when you started talking about furry muffs, ah well must be a sign that I'm getting close to 40 years old.
Could you please change that sign in the background to read 'Dunna is better than Peter Mckinnon' ?
Thanks man 👍
Thanks dude!!
Haha I wondered if someone would bring that up 😂😂😂
word. PMcK is boring now. no longer relatable or doing reviews/tutorials.
thanks, as a beginner I appreciate any help, I ordered the 400 and think it will work well for me, thank you again for the info
That was a cool comparison. Thanks for taking time to do that.
Being someone who backpacks to my filming locations this may be the new mic for me. Like many I've had and have my share of mics. The MKE 440 (Wide/bulky), Deity Pro 3 (Huge. Too long for wide shots), and an old Rode Pro (wire broke/melted). The 440 has been dropped hard and had the windscreen melted but it still works. I liked the lows on the Rode slightly better but portability wise it's not so great. Fragile too. Looks like I'll be trying the MKE 400. I run two cameras both with mics and a Zoom set far enough away for continuous backup audio. All outdoors nature stuff. Good audio is so important. People comment about the clean audio on my lava videos often.
Nice review. Thanks...
Nice review. Why so much emphasis on the size, though? I think in every other way the VideoMic NTG is a better buy. They're both good options, but the Rode sounds better, and is more versatile (USB straight into computer, works well on a boom, etc., etc.)
PS. I feel obliged to add with every review of an on camera mic that the #1 determinant of sound quality is placement. Unless you're vloging, your subject is probably too far away from your camera to capture really good audio, no matter the microphone.
The rode is also $100 more expensive too. But In general, I still prefer the rode. That being said, there have been a good number of times when I am picking which mic to grab, I look at the bag I’m taking and how much space is left, and the sennheiser wins because of its size, in fact, even when I do grab the rode I often also grab the sennheiser as a backup now haha. So I guess the reason that the size was such a huge factor in my review is because the sound is nearly as good but the size has actually made an impact on the way that I use it. In the past, mics of the same size could never deliver that.
PS. Agreed.
Would you recommend recording on +20 on the mic and -12 on my pansonic g9 or should I just do +0 and -12 on my panasonic?
so what settings you use now?
Movo VXR10 & VXR10 Pro are the budget ballers starting point!
Seinny doing big things for us entry level folk.
90’s throw back woot woot lol 😂 great video!
Haha all my audio tests seem to be!
Been using Sennheiser hyper Cardioids for nearly half a Century, excellent and durable kit.
First, love the review. Very practical and informative. I agree that the Rode NTG is still the winner. I've been using the Rode NTG, and I love how versatile and feature rich it is compared with the other options on the market. That said, I do like Sennheiser products and it appears this is a solid option.
Movo VXR10 Pro is $50 and sounds great, better than the rode and Sennheiser MKE 200.. It's a good buy.
I haven’t tried that one yet! I also got the MKE200 and it definitely doesn’t sound nearly as good as the 400.
@@dunnadidit The MKE200 has Insane High Wind noise performance.
I'd say maybe you could do a wind test with all of these and see which performs best for us?
The MKE200 i'll say will pretty much win. I've used it out on a Fishing Trip and Constant high winds and gusts and it handled it like if it was in a professional Blimp.
The MKE 400 not so much as the Furry doesn't cover the entire mic like the MKE200 does.
If you look at the MKE200 Frequency Curve you'll see why it sounds like that they literally cut the low end off, it starts to roll off from around 350-400 Hz !!!
But it may be the best in seriously windy conditions out in the open and Run and Gun scenarios.
Hope you can do a Wind noise Test on the mics you have available.
As well comparing the MKE 400 to the 200
Maybe MKE 200 would be best suited for an action Cam?
Good video for me I was finding something to improve my audio thanks dunna
Glad to help!!
It’s less of a dead cat and more of a toupee. So that’s cool. I won’t be switching any time soon but this looks and or sounds great. Never realized how tinny the micro go sounds but makes sense.
I totally know what you mean. The micro sounds just dandy until you put it up against something better, then all of a sudden you’re like woah! It’s like not realizing how short/tall you are until you’re next to someone who’s the opposite.
WOW! I just searched this mic up yesterday!! Crazy coincidence!
The universe works in mysterious ways!
@@dunnadidit And youtube searching algorithms :)
This was a great and detailed video. Very useful!
Great review. Just picked this up. Will let you know how it goes!
He messed up. This has great audio from rear for us vloggers. It doesn’t give that muffled sound like the rodes.
Funny story. I'm looking into replacing my current Røde mic and was looking at the MKE400 .. then I thought, "I wonder if Dunna's tried this?" and here we are. Going to check for a MKE400 vs MKE200 review and see what fits for out on the town ...
Haha nice!
Imo, the MKE 400 can match the sound of the others with a bit of eq.
I think that for most people, they don’t want to EQ, and why should they? Especially with all the other options available.
I think that is why the RODE is a popular choice especially that NTG, since controlling the eq is one less thing to worry about.
I have the MKE 400. Great for the price and also nice to have as a backup for bigger jobs. It is very rugged, throw it in a camerabag and never a problem. Had to buy batteries once, forgot to charge the rechargables 😂 cheap ones from IKEA, work fine 😊
For 100$ max budget the MKE 200 is great.
I don’t know if I just got a bad one but directional mic it is not. This thing will even pick up Lens focus noise on my canon. When the lens is hunting.
The NTG is my personal favorite for giving a warm voice
I'm just digging that its not on shock mounts which I break super easily when putting it in my bag. I got the MKE 200, and found it was a good sweet spot of size and quality
That sign in the background… is that your saying or did Peter give that to you? When I met him, I asked for a quote to go by and he said “done is better than perfect” 🤔
I forget where I heard that first... but it definitely floats around the creative space a lot!
Was looking for a small mic like this. I use Senheiser for everything else. Concise review I’m sold
Glad it was helpful dude!
Wind muffs? Small packages? I thought this was a family-friendly channel?! ;)
Great video!! I have it and it works very well, I get rich and clear audio and I have it camera mounted on my gimbal DJI RS2. It’s small enough to have it well balanced on a gimbal provided that one lowers the a camera a bit on the gimbal otherwise it gets top heavy. It’s directional to work if the talent is 2 meter or 6 feet in front of the camera. With the dead cat on it can handle some wind. It’s a wonderful small package. I had a commercial job with talking heads outdoors during a windy day and matched pretty well with Rode NTG3 with a blimp. I was actually surprised how well it matched.
The MKE400 actually is a combo of a blimp and mic. It’s a genius design!
9:58 Sennheiser MKE 400 - no processing
10:46 Rhode NTG - no processing
11:07 Sennheiser MKE 400
11:10 Rhode NTG
Dunna Did It!
Just so everyone is aware energizer does make AAA rechargeable batterys just like AA you can get them at Lowes or home depot hardware stores that you can use with this Mic
Omg I love this video lol 😂, gotta get jiggy wit it ooh that’s it, that was a good way to do the comparison and great song choice 😉, I would of had a hard time keeping a straight face saying that so many times.
Haha Glad you liked that. Big Will is the 🐐
Hey Dunna! Thanks for the review my Friend. I notice at 6:39 you say we should have more gain from the microphone and less from the camera. Does that mean I should turn my camera all the way down and just regulate everything from the mic itself? I am thinking of buying the Rode VideoMic NTG, as per your other review. So in this case, turn my camera sound all the way down and just turn the knob on my mic?
Sounds pretty gnarly! I only use Sennheiser mics for micing my guitar amps/cabs!
Nice! Any specifics? 421’s? 906?
Hey Dunna, thanks for the review, how do you like this mic vs the RODE VideoMic Go II? Is the Sennheiser worth the extra $100 bucks?
Can I get a black cable for it ? 😁
Good channel 🤙. What is your recommendation for an on camera mic for recording a band in a rehearsal room?
Bold of you to assume that I always turn my camera off after shooting for the day
Lol well the camera battery will probably die long before the mic will 😂
Hey Dunna! Great video. Could you tell me which one has the LEAST amount of white noise (hiss)? Thanks!
I’m not 100% sure but if you can find stats on their “noise floor” that should help you. The lower the noise floor (or “self noise” the better.
@@dunnadidit one didn't stand out to you? Hiss on my ntg is out of control. I read all those noise floors and even made a chart 😂 in real life didn't seem to matter
@@travisraab when I first got the ntg that was an issue but they released a firmware update that fixed it! If you haven’t tried that yet I suggest that!
@@dunnadidit yeah i did it! But thanks man i appreciate it.
Dunma i totally miss the comparison to the brilliant Sony EZM-B1M Shotgun Mic as a Competitor. Thins this would be zhe hardest Test against each other.
I’ll have to see if I can get ahold of one!
Sony’s probably better, but I don’t think it’s worth twice to price
Nice Nelly Ref at the end lol, Mic looks like a good fit for that compact vlogger setup. If you had to suggest a shotgun or professional mic sun $1000usd what would you be leaning to?
Lol 😂 it wasn’t supposed to be a Nelly ref but I guess with all the other will smith references that would make sense.
I’ve been using the rode ntg5 for my main xlr audio and it’s great. I’m planning to do a comparison with the sennheiser MK416 once I can get my hands on it.
@@dunnadidit I cannot wait to see that comparison then... I have the NTG-3 but feel I should get something better soon...
Which microphone are you using in this video (except for the sound test)? Sounds quality is great :)
7:33 You said underwear 🩳
I try to as often as I can!
Awesome video, I am looking for a microphone for indoor talkhead videos that is easy to use without needing any external recordings or any advanced post edits. What do you recommend? For any budget
can you reverse the MKE 400 Microphone in order to talk into the microphonne for vlogging while behind the camera?
Yup! It fits in the hot shoe both ways
Thanks so much!!!!
What mic would you recommend for voice-over work?
Ideally a large diaphragm condenser like the Neumann U87. But it depends on the person’s voice.
Now I have to reconsider... wanted to get the Sony ECM-B1M but now...?
What have I done!?
Great video, thank you.
Hi - is this still the case with the MKE 400 or is there a new champ in 2023. Most reviews seem to favour the MKE400 tho.
What is the exact MOVO deadcat you're using with the RODE VideoMic NTG?
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?
Hi Dunna! Great video, as always! :) But you know what, you being an audio specialist, IMHO you should do a video explaining the differences, pros&cons and why "one or the other" between a mic like this Sennheiser and something like any ZOOM Hxn...what do you think? :)
Cough cough… th-cam.com/video/eTG-4KIaq0o/w-d-xo.html
Maybe time for an updated version though.
@@dunnadidit Jeeez, sorry Dunna, I didn't remember that you had already done it! Literally, Dunna Did It...🤣
3:03 if it's anything like the MKE 200 then it's crap at dealing with handling noise and still needs the dead cat to work in windy conditions.
Currently my favorites are the Videomic NTG and the deity d4 duo for sure loved the comparison dunna! Great vid
Nice!
A helpful review. Which mic did you use for this video?
Still the best in 2024 for ambient and foley sound? thanks
Wowww this came just perfect! If you were in the market for one of those Mics... which one would you buy? All are in this 240€ range...I'm doing a cooking youtube channel, so it will be mostly indoor sound. Thank you so much for your work!
NTG is just louder in the comparison?
I recently purchased one and tested it outdoors. I used the included deadcat and the wind noise was terrible. It was a mild wind and the footage was unusable. I have been using the Rode vidmic pro plus and video micro and wind noise was never an issue. I really want to love this microphone but am quite disappointed 😞.
Weird! I’ve been quite happy with the wind performance
What microphone did you record this video on? Great video!
Rode ntg5. Thanks!
Nothing beats the Videomic NTG's ability to also run as a USB mic to the computer! Not only do my videos have awesome quality sound, so do my Zoom meetings!
That’s a great point! I don’t often use that function but it’s cool to have!
I have a u87 for my zoom calls. It's pretty nice lol. Sadly its way to expensive to use as a camera mic so i got a mke 400 for that. Not disappointed at all
Haha a u87 wouldn’t mount too nicely on a camera anyway 😂😂😂
@@JustMamba U87? Tf are you a millionaire or something lmao
Good review. I have the previous version of the Sennheiser MKE 400 but I'll definitely look into this one.
Even with the side by sides it still sounded smoother to me. Very intriguing little mic 🧐
Hey man great video! Any chance you have a link for the movo deadcat that you use on the video mic ntg?
No affiliate link for it but here’s the one I’m using → www.movophoto.com/collections/windscreens/products/movo-ws-g-furry-rigid-windscreen
I thought you were rapping for a second lol
No I was getting jiggy with it
@@dunnadidit hahahaha good one !
All pretty close but the 2 RODE mics actually sounded better than the others but all the Mics were better than what ever you were using for the whole presentation the Presentation mic sounds tinny. The best on camera mic I have is a shotgun mic I got with my old Canon XL-1 and I added a $159 (1995 dollars) Dead Cat That really works none of the crap wind break I see you have there has a chance against mine. I found if you use a finger from a surgical rubber glove or a male contraceptives' device over them (especially with the cheap mics)in conjunction with the cheap wind muffs they have even greater wind protection without noticeable reduction in volume. Again JMHO Bro.
thanks for sharing your thoughts.
I went back and listened again and I definitely don’t think my main mic is more “tinny” either that or your definition of “tinny” is different than what people generally refer to as tinny. Regardless, the comparison is flawed because the main mic has a bunch of processing, eq, compression, noise reduction etc on it and it’s in a different position to keep it out of the shot. The other mics had no processing and were sitting all in the same position on the table (pointing up rather than down which probably makes a bigger difference than anything else because the reflections will be completely different). What I’m saying isn’t that you’re right or wrong about the mic, it’s that the comparison doesn’t necessarily make sense to do.
As for the wind protection, that’s great for you that you found something that works so well! And very interesting diy solution too! Thanks for sharing.
As you know a lot of your Audio depends immensely on what one is listing on from their computer. I'll bet 90% are listening on a$20 set of add on computer speakers.
I just happen to be Listening to this video/audio on an Turtle Beach 5.1 Surround system. Then too you have no Idea what U-TUBBY has done to your Video/Audio with their compression. Have an AWESOME day BRO.
Yeah I always check my mixes on my mixing headphones, a set of nice studio speakers and then on either my phone or laptop too just to make sure it sounds good across devices!
do you still use this mic and do you still think it's a great mic compared to what's out now?
Auto power - I need that - I wasted many a 9volt on my old rode videomic 🤣🤣
I hear you
I have an excruciatingly annoying hissing noise when I use mine. What am I doing wrong?
ah man- hows it compare with the D3 pro?
In my experience, the d3 and d3 pro sound basically the same. That’s why I didn’t include it. I’m pretty sure they use the same capsule and the only differences are the features.
@@dunnadidit thanks Dunna! I’ll look into getting the mke- it looks (sounds) great
What would you recommend for recording live music? MKE 400?
as much as this thing has all the bells and whistles. I think both Rode's sounded WAY better. but Audio can be down to personal preference
Do you think that this is a better deal of the vidMic pro+? Form factor is not a problem and I can find the vidmicpro+ the same price range at the moment so after this video I'm kinda unsure 😱
That’s a tough one. VMP+ probably sounds better IMO, so if there are some features you prefer on either, just have to prioritize and weight everything there.
@@dunnadidit I ended buying the Hollyland Lark 150 duo kit because I ended with the assumption that for my use case having double mic imput + wireless capabilities was vastly more importan. Anywaiy thanks for your contents
@@dunnadidit ME too. I'm a super amateur and need to decide btwn vmp+ and mke 400....any thoughts?
Hi dunna can I use Third party TRS - TRS cable for mic input? my TRS cable that come with the mic already lost.
If I currently have the Deity D3 (standard version, not pro), and am looking to do more interview and instructional course work, would this be worth the upgrade do you think? Right now it seems like the dB adjustments on-mic would make it worth it, plus I like that it has more bass than the Deity. But I'm not sure if maybe there's more I can squeeze out of what I currently have. Thoughts?
Not to mention I do plan on shooting as DP a low-budget short film with a buddy of mine, so that may factor into the decision.
I just looked up this video because, plugged into my Canon EOS R, the MKE 400 I bought this year has some really horrible noise that runs consistently in the background, even with recording levels turned down in-camera. Has anyone else had this problem? Is it the mic or is it because I'm a canon user?
What kind of microphone would I need if I wanted to capture everything around me in a forest?
whats best for live loud music less than 200.00? I am leaning towards Sennheiser MKE 200 or 400
When ya gonna get the ws11 wind screen from rode for the video mic ntg?
Looks nearly identical to the movi one I have and showed in the video… any reason I should pick that one up?
@@dunnadidit less bulky, maybe lighter?
Yeah could be. From what I can find online it’s a bit lighter, photos look to be about the same size as what I use! I’ll see what else I can find!
@@dunnadidit I picked mine up when I bought the VM ntg. I’m sure they are the same, it’s just my ocd seeing a not rode wind screen on a rode mic 😂
Lol, I don’t think it existed when I got my NTG. And I already owned the movo one from my d3 lol
great and informative. Gonna have to agree with your rankings for each microphone doe. I was on the fence for this and the NTG but now I know which to get, thanks!
Does this mic, mke400, record voice of the shooter? In other words, does it record sound coming from rear? I need a mic that can record from both sides
I like the Deity D3Pro!
Definitely a solid mic!
whats better to use with iphone 15 pro? MKE 600 or rode ntg?
The sound difference between the MKE400 and NTG is so little that it doesn’t matter
Mmhmm… I agree. That’s why I talked so much about the features, functions, size and such. They both sound about as good as you can get in this kind of mic.
@@dunnadidit Yep, it makes me want to switch from my NTG!
Dunna, I am looking for a mic/audio recorder duo that can do everything. I use a Sony A7IV, and I am looking to do several types of video: studio/podcast/streaming, YT content including different sounds that water makes and pens make (I do reviews of fountain pens and tea), vocals (singing), and run-and-gun video both indoors and out. I prefer to spend on quality, and only have to spend once. I did order a Zoom H6 and Shure SM7B, but I am wondering if I did the right thing... especially since the SM7B is more of a studio-only, stationary microphone. Do you have any recommendations for me? Should I keep the Zoom H6 or should I look into the RodeCasterPro instead? Should I keep the Shure and get a different microphone for the camera?
Hey Michelle! Finding any kind of gear that "can do everything" is a really tricky one. I don't think the sm7b is right in your case as it's not great for the small sounds. That being said, it's great for voice (talking and singing) but you will need something to boost it's quiet signal (people often use a cloudlifter). The H6 on the other hand is a bit more of an all purpose solution that would work for you, and the nice thing is that if you have other microphones that you use for specific things, you can plug them into the H6 and use it as a recorder. To be honest, your best bet is going to be to get separate tools for separate jobs, but in the end, a microphone picks up sound no matter what the source so you could technically use any microphone for anything. That said, I'll leave my recommendations for you here just in case.
My current recco's:
Run and gun (on the camera) - Rode videomic go ii: geni.us/54CjkY2
Singing/Vocal(close) mic - Rode NT1: geni.us/zerr
Portable Recording Device/Stereo Mic for asmr and found sounds - you already have the H6 and thats solid.
@@dunnadidit you are awesome!!! Thank you for your response. You are so helpful. I was really questioning which mic to get for the camera itself for run-and-gun, so thank you for that recommendation. I hadn’t gotten anything for that use yet.
So… because it was Black Friday and Cyber Weekend, I ended up ordering a bunch of stuff with the mindset that I can return what I don’t need, but at least I got the things on sale. I would really love if you’d be willing to check this out and give me some feedback on it. I don’t want to waste money on something that isn’t necessary, but I am also really concerned with getting quality audio recordings. I’m the type to buy once, buy for life.
So… this is what I got to try out:
-Zoom H6 and hot shoe mount
-RodeCaster Pro II
-Rode NT55 pair (for the ambient sounds and ASMR-like sounds of the water and pen to paper etc.)
-Shure SM7B
-SmallRig A7IV Cage
-Gator Frameworks stands (two different ones to test which I like more, one is the Gator Frameworks Short Weighted Base Microphone Stand with Telescopic Boom Arm and 2.5 Lbs Counter Weight; Ideal for Desktop, Recording, and Streaming (GFW-MIC-0822) and one is the Gator Frameworks Professional Desktop Broadcast/Podcast Microphone Boom Stand with On-Air Indicator Light (GFWMICBCBM4000))
On my wish list is the Sennheiser EW 112P G4 Camera-Mount Wireless Omni Lavalier Mic, in the case I decide to talk while filming instead of dubbing over and I can’t use the Shure for the job… I can have that for my voice with the NT55s positioned for the sounds.
So I guess my thought was to get the H6 for a good, portable and all-around solution for any kind of sound I may need… with the added bonus of having two mics on it already for any other sound tracks I may need, but the RodeCaster Pro II for when I’m seated at the computer (I was told the H6 was alright, but for better quality sound, I’d want something with better pickups. Not sure if that’s accurate or not… it may have been the salesperson at the store wanting me to spend more.
Now, if you tell me that the RodeCaster Pro II is a bit of overkill, and that I should just return it, I’ll trust you-but then I need to know how to set up the H6 when I want to work “in studio” at my desk/computer and how to make it stationary so that it isn’t moving around while trying to use it.
I did grab these before you were able to respond because of the fact that I wanted to take advantage of sales, but I have a long return window.
What do you think of the items I got? Would you tell me to return any of the items?
Should I get a Loupedeck either in addition or instead of the RodeCaster Pro II and just use the H6 and that (I was thinking to use it for Lightroom, Premiere, any streaming I may do, and anything else I may need to automate). If I should get one, should I get the Live, the CT, or the new Live S?
Man, I’m sorry that I keep asking more things… but I really trust your judgment and I like your content. ❤️❤️❤️
Seems like you’ve got a great handle on it! I love the buy it and try it method! It may be a little bit more than what you “need” but it will all definitely serve the purposes that it’s good for! You made some solid choices.
I’d say the rodecaster sounds maybe a bit overkill if you have the H6, but that being said, the rodecaster has preamps that I believe can handle the sm7b without a cloudlifter so maybe that would be the reason to keep use it.
I think at this point, you get it all, test it out for a bit and see what feels right. It’s tough to narrow down specifically what’s right/wrong for you! But you’ve got this!!
@@dunnadidit would you return the RodeCaster to save funds? Or would you keep it? How much of a difference does it make in the audio?
I’m just wondering if the expense makes sense… even though the board is gorgeous.
I’ve never had the pleasure of using the rodecaster so it’s tough for me to say specifically. I use a focusrite interface to do any recording to the computer.
So interesting to see little difference with the upgraded camera tech. Great vid as always!
I have recently bought the RODE videomic GO. And I am quite disappointed because it makes some noise. Using it in the PC with OBS I use some filter to cancel that noise, but using it on the camera, I hope that with posproduction I can fix it.
Do you know about this? I have seen some reviews of the same problem.
Thanks for sharing with us!
Also, some mics like my GO II have a usb plug into the cam. The senn doesnt seem to. Is that an issue?
I really couldn't tell the difference. Between the 3 I wanna get me the mke 400 but deity is cheaper and really can't hear the difference between the 2
I have the older 200 which isnt powered but surprisingly is a great and cheaper alternative
Yes the 200 gets some good reviews on Amazon. I still think Im going for the 400 tho, a little bit more reach Im told.
I’m looking for a microphone that has that 3.5mm jack for the wireless go, but I’m not sure what I should look at for environments that extremely loud. Ie concerts next to speakers. Ty for the video!
Could you recommend a decent Cam Mic for recording music live ?it’s for live street gigs (I think a shotgun would be fine as it would be directed at an AER Domino 2A Amp.. We tried using an Apogee MiC (just perfect for live ‘indoor’ venues but too clean for outdoor gigs)
I came across a few cam mics on eBay that I thought may suit & well priced , sE Electronics ProMic Laser, Deity D3, Rode video mic pro & Sennheisers.. I’m guessing the Sennheisers & Deity maybe a little bright? Does a deadcat soften the high end detail more or maybe too much compared to a foam windshield ? I would still like to have a little street ambience. Thanks 🙏🏻
Not much personal experience in this area, but I did put my Sennheiser MKE 600 to the test yesterday filming a jazz band outdoors in the park. The audio was incredible, it's all usable and I was really impressed. I didn't have headphones to level the audio, just pressed record and filmed. Also, i used the XLR to 3.5mm jack adapter, so the audio could've been better if I had been recording into an XLR input.
Because I want another mic to match the 600 and I am really happy with sennheiser overall, I am looking to get the 400 for a 2nd mic and to leave on any video camera I'm filming with.
Cheers
What microphone can you recommend for events, the part of the party where the sound is at high volumes? Thanks
"Honey honey come ride! D-K-N-Y all up in my eye you gotta Prada.."
I still like my Rode products like the Video micro for run and gun, Wireless Go, and inherited a VideoMic Pro from someone awesome! I'm sure at the end of the day with some Accusonus post processing, the end user wouldn't notice a difference... except you of course.
Haha yeah I totally hear you. And that’s exactly the reason why the sound test isn’t the biggest part of this video. It’s important but they all sound decent enough, so then functionality becomes a super important point. And price and so on. And on top of all that, everyone weights those things differently. Being a reviewer is fun.
I'm debating between this or the Deity D3. If it was just about getting an on-camera mic, it'd be a no-brainer to pick the MKE 400. But for the same price, I can get the D3, a 2nd lav mic for my wireless setup, and a dead cat. So do I go for great function and ergonomics in one mic or covering as much ground as I can?
I’ve got a video coming on the new rode videomic go ii… you might want to wait for that or at least look into that mic.
@@dunnadidit Dunna!!! I'm in no rush to purchase, so yeah, I can wait to hear what you have to say. Looking forward to it!
I wouldn't recommend the D3 pro. Mine died after a year of use and their warranty required me to ship it to them for repair (not replace) which would've cost me $100 CAD above the cost of the mic to ship it to their office in China. Beyond that, their warranty only lasts a year and only if you buy through them, not through Amazon or a distributor. Beyond even that, if they decide that the repair wasn't necessary they can charge you an additional $35 USD or $52 CAD. The total cost of the D3 pro if it doesn't work and they charge you for repair time is a total of $450 CAD. If I had known that going in I would've just bought the MKE 600. Hope I reached you in time King
Hey guys I need help. I’m a musician and I’m going to be using my iPhone 13 pro max to record music auditions in a couple weeks. I’m wondering should I get the Sennheiser mke400 to help improve the recording or does it matter. We will be recording in a recital hall where it’s very live. Or will my 13 pro max microphone be good enough to record auditions? I used to own a MD 421 and have loved Sennheiser since but wondering does the shotgun mic record musical instruments like a saxophone, flute, and so on very well. I understand the MKE is for vlogging but has anyone tried it out with instrument recording?
Thanks for an excellent review. The Rode does sound slightly cleaner but because of the form factor of the MKE thats landed the sale from me. Turns up tomorrow!
The mke 400 has a demonic level noise floor I'm afraid