Thats very helpful as I also own the GO. I hate the rear socket as the lead doesn't click into it firmly. The 400 is the model ive been looking to replace it with
Hello Ian, glad to see you out and about happily doing your thing. The price and size is about perfect for my walk-about application. When you walked away to test the voice pickup from a distance it almost sounded as if you had a lav on.
High Philip. I was surprised at the longer distance test too. I had to raise the gain a lot so I expected surrounding sounds to take over, but my voice stayed, so the mic must be doing a great job woth rejection. I do like this mic a lot. For many of these tests, I just take the mic out and take what I get without trying to repair or change anything except volume. These tests surprised me.
Yes, the high pass knocked everything out in the bottom end. Trouble was that everywhere I went, there was noise .... and I’m in the middle of nowhere!! So the advantage of that cut was no wind noise and greatly reduced surrounding interference. It really is a lovely little mic.
Great review, thank you. I have seen many videos and this mic seems to sound great. I am thinking whether it would be the ideal on-camera shotgun. Nice looking, small, great sound, +20dB booost... Ticks most of the boxes. Would be interesting to see a comparison with the Rode Video Micro, perhaps on the Canon M50 :) In some of the videos, and yours is no exception (most noticeably between 02.45 - 02:55), I can hear a fair bit of handling noise though. I am not sure if it is an issue with the integrated shockmount or the cable hitting the microphone when you are turning it around...
Impressive... This is the best review I've seen of Sennheiser MKE 400... You have covered all the use and test cases. Could you please help me decide between this and Shure MV88+. use case will be vlogging, video recording, audio calling(laptop/mobile).
Thank you Aditya. I don’t know the MV88 but one real bonus of the mke400 is the ability to plug earphones directly into the side of the mic to monitor exactly what’s going on. I missed that out...... I don’t know of any other mic that you can do this with.
@@iancraig thank you for your response... Confusing part is, even Shure MV88+ has a 3.5 Jack to hear our own and system audio and also it got a micro usb port, that can plug into a phone using a bundled cable, using which we can change gain and a lot of other settings on Shure app. Maybe it's better to go with Sennheiser, about which I know a little bit more than MV88+. Will look forward for your future reviews. Thanks
Great video just what I was looking for - have been interested in this mic for a while so it's about time I bought it! I note with interest that you are using a Sony ZV-1 - may I ask: are you using Full HD or 4k? The reason I ask is that in YT "settings" it indicates 1080p 50(fps) suggesting Full HD. >Cheers!
@@iancraig WHAT!!! Full HD??? That's amazing. The image quality is absolutely superb and I mean that. I will go as far as to say that of the camera tests that I have seen recently on YT, yours is simply outstanding. The image resolution that I can see is all there along with the sharpness - I can't get over that this is Full HD (even after YT's mangling). Well, I don't know about the Sennheiser but you have just (inadvertently!) solved a monumental problem that I had with my ZV-1! I owe you a very large pint - Cheers!
Funnily enough, I also have an E10 and it’s so poor at HD, I only use it at 4k. I’ve no idea why Sony crippled nd on it because it’s actually very bad. Zv-1 is streets ahead.
I took to this mic immediately Anfernee. Bonus is how streamlined it looks and the terrific wind rejection and external noise rejection on the side. Then, an extra bonus, you can actually monitor it with say, earbuds to check everything is ok. Great microphone. My goodness, your channel has done AMAZINGLY well. Well done!
Hi Ian,hope you're well, I've rewatched this again, as it seems to pick up sound/voice from behind would it be good enough to, say video something whilst narrating from behing the camera, the reason i ask is because i'm thinking of getting either the Deity D4 duo or the Movo double mic, as this would seem to be a better option quality wise if it would work "good enough" at picking up sond from behind. Thanks in advance Jon
Hi Jon. It does pick up from the rear because it’s a super cardioid, but I think for picking up two people, you’ll get a better result from the D4 duo and a lav. Duo is also a bargain buy imo.
Hi Ian hope you are well, a great test as always and a great sounding Mic with a fairly compact size, I'll have to reconsider my choice of the rode video Mic pro plus now,hopefully you'll do a comparison test sometime. Oddly enough with all the hot weather we've been having lately we've not had a thunderstorm in my area. Best wishes stay safe Jon.
Thanks Jon. That’s a great idea. I’ll make that one when I get back. The Sennheiser mke400 is really a great mic. Seems slow to get off the ground but I love its sound and excellent side rejection.
The MKE400 old version retails for half of the MK II. Is it worth the extra? IMO single AAA battery is the second best thing only next to no battery required at all. All those internal Lithium battery microphones should learn from Sennheiser.
I don’t know about the old version, Frank. It’s selling for half of this one? Maybe the price has been lowered after this one came out? I think this new one is excellent though.
@@iancraig I searched MKE400 and one shop is selling at half of everyone else's price, then I realized it was the old shotgun version with no blimp. look.
Hi Ian, thank you for your videos about mics... I was planning to upgrade my cheap mics with a shotgun... so when I saw your video about Takstar, this gave me the cofidence to buy one... I'm also a TH-camr (Manila)... and I do tech unboxing and reviews (and price updates), most products that I feature are affordable bluetooth speakers. So, again, thank you very much for your videos and I'm your new SUB.
@@iancraig Hi Ian, been doing some window shopping on our regional e-shopping here... you should checkout TAKSTAR 698 model... it is short like this Sennheisser, too. It's also on their website and Takstar e-mall.
This one is better ..... th-cam.com/video/ky90MEXxFJ0/w-d-xo.html Compared to a much more expensive mic, it did seriously well! th-cam.com/video/XFWSuU7udqs/w-d-xo.html
This is better in wind and I think, more directional. I haven’t actually put them up against each other, but there is a massive difference in price, so a bit unfair.
Affiliate link:
Sennheiser MKE400 - amzn.to/3jDqVAV
Sennheiser has always made great microphones, we used them at the Radio Station back in the 80's when I was an on-air DJ
They do Andre. I also use the MKE600 which is also excellent.
Really impressed with this microphone, it blows my Rode Video Mic GO out of the water completely. Fantastic quality, great video, Ian.
Exactly Ben.... it’s on another level. It has fast become my vlogging favourite along with the Deity D4 mini.
Thats very helpful as I also own the GO. I hate the rear socket as the lead doesn't click into it firmly. The 400 is the model ive been looking to replace it with
Hello Ian, glad to see you out and about happily doing your thing. The price and size is about perfect for my walk-about application. When you walked away to test the voice pickup from a distance it almost sounded as if you had a lav on.
High Philip. I was surprised at the longer distance test too. I had to raise the gain a lot so I expected surrounding sounds to take over, but my voice stayed, so the mic must be doing a great job woth rejection. I do like this mic a lot.
For many of these tests, I just take the mic out and take what I get without trying to repair or change anything except volume. These tests surprised me.
Mic in a blimp. Great innovation. I expect to see a load more in the next few months!
Gatwick flight path, or small plane for BH?
😊 Small plane for Biggin Hill! The mini blimp is a freat idea. I’m hoping for a Deity D4 mini in a blimp. That would be fantastic for vloggers.
Thanks great review, the mic sounded great
Thank you Mark.
Thanks so much for your great review! The high pass filter seemed really extreme, other than that it sounded great!!
Yes, the high pass knocked everything out in the bottom end. Trouble was that everywhere I went, there was noise .... and I’m in the middle of nowhere!! So the advantage of that cut was no wind noise and greatly reduced surrounding interference.
It really is a lovely little mic.
Might get one. Nice
Great review, thank you. I have seen many videos and this mic seems to sound great. I am thinking whether it would be the ideal on-camera shotgun. Nice looking, small, great sound, +20dB booost... Ticks most of the boxes. Would be interesting to see a comparison with the Rode Video Micro, perhaps on the Canon M50 :) In some of the videos, and yours is no exception (most noticeably between 02.45 - 02:55), I can hear a fair bit of handling noise though. I am not sure if it is an issue with the integrated shockmount or the cable hitting the microphone when you are turning it around...
Its definitely a good 'un.
Impressive... This is the best review I've seen of Sennheiser MKE 400... You have covered all the use and test cases. Could you please help me decide between this and Shure MV88+. use case will be vlogging, video recording, audio calling(laptop/mobile).
Thank you Aditya. I don’t know the MV88 but one real bonus of the mke400 is the ability to plug earphones directly into the side of the mic to monitor exactly what’s going on. I missed that out...... I don’t know of any other mic that you can do this with.
@@iancraig thank you for your response... Confusing part is, even Shure MV88+ has a 3.5 Jack to hear our own and system audio and also it got a micro usb port, that can plug into a phone using a bundled cable, using which we can change gain and a lot of other settings on Shure app. Maybe it's better to go with Sennheiser, about which I know a little bit more than MV88+. Will look forward for your future reviews. Thanks
Do you habe in mind to do the analysis from the "Comica cvm-vm20"?
Great Job and greetings!
If Comica sent me one, I would review it. They sent me a vm30 a long time ago.... th-cam.com/video/9z5ONvXHkmM/w-d-xo.html
Great video just what I was looking for - have been interested in this mic for a while so it's about time I bought it!
I note with interest that you are using a Sony ZV-1 - may I ask: are you using Full HD or 4k? The reason I ask is that in YT "settings" it indicates 1080p 50(fps) suggesting Full HD. >Cheers!
Thanks Tollbar. I was using HD, not 4k.
@@iancraig WHAT!!! Full HD??? That's amazing. The image quality is absolutely superb and I mean that. I will go as far as to say that of the camera tests that I have seen recently on YT, yours is simply outstanding. The image resolution that I can see is all there along with the sharpness - I can't get over that this is Full HD (even after YT's mangling).
Well, I don't know about the Sennheiser but you have just (inadvertently!) solved a monumental problem that I had with my ZV-1! I owe you a very large pint - Cheers!
Funnily enough, I also have an E10 and it’s so poor at HD, I only use it at 4k. I’ve no idea why Sony crippled nd on it because it’s actually very bad. Zv-1 is streets ahead.
Nice review! I've been looking to get a new mic!
I took to this mic immediately Anfernee. Bonus is how streamlined it looks and the terrific wind rejection and external noise rejection on the side. Then, an extra bonus, you can actually monitor it with say, earbuds to check everything is ok. Great microphone.
My goodness, your channel has done AMAZINGLY well. Well done!
Hi Ian,hope you're well, I've rewatched this again, as it seems to pick up sound/voice from behind would it be good enough to, say video something whilst narrating from behing the camera, the reason i ask is because i'm thinking of getting either the Deity D4 duo or the Movo double mic, as this would seem to be a better option quality wise if it would work "good enough" at picking up sond from behind.
Thanks in advance
Jon
Hi Jon. It does pick up from the rear because it’s a super cardioid, but I think for picking up two people, you’ll get a better result from the D4 duo and a lav. Duo is also a bargain buy imo.
Hi Ian hope you are well, a great test as always and a great sounding Mic with a fairly compact size, I'll have to reconsider my choice of the rode video Mic pro plus now,hopefully you'll do a comparison test sometime. Oddly enough with all the hot weather we've been having lately we've not had a thunderstorm in my area.
Best wishes stay safe Jon.
Thanks Jon. That’s a great idea. I’ll make that one when I get back. The Sennheiser mke400 is really a great mic. Seems slow to get off the ground but I love its sound and excellent side rejection.
The MKE400 old version retails for half of the MK II. Is it worth the extra? IMO single AAA battery is the second best thing only next to no battery required at all. All those internal Lithium battery microphones should learn from Sennheiser.
I don’t know about the old version, Frank. It’s selling for half of this one? Maybe the price has been lowered after this one came out?
I think this new one is excellent though.
@@iancraig I searched MKE400 and one shop is selling at half of everyone else's price, then I realized it was the old shotgun version with no blimp. look.
Hi Ian, thank you for your videos about mics... I was planning to upgrade my cheap mics with a shotgun... so when I saw your video about Takstar, this gave me the cofidence to buy one... I'm also a TH-camr (Manila)... and I do tech unboxing and reviews (and price updates), most products that I feature are affordable bluetooth speakers. So, again, thank you very much for your videos and I'm your new SUB.
Thank you Charlie. TH-cam is an uphill struggle for sure! The MKE400 is a very nice microphone. Good rejection and crisp sound.
@@iancraig Hi Ian, been doing some window shopping on our regional e-shopping here... you should checkout TAKSTAR 698 model... it is short like this Sennheisser, too. It's also on their website and Takstar e-mall.
This one is better .....
th-cam.com/video/ky90MEXxFJ0/w-d-xo.html
Compared to a much more expensive mic, it did seriously well!
th-cam.com/video/XFWSuU7udqs/w-d-xo.html
Hey! How does this mic compares to the takstar sgc-600 based on your testings?
This is better in wind and I think, more directional. I haven’t actually put them up against each other, but there is a massive difference in price, so a bit unfair.