BUYERS’ GUIDE
SENNHEISER MKE 400 £179/$200 sennheiser.com
SENNHEISER MKE 440 £309/$349 sennheiser.com
SHURE VP83F
£249/$263 shure.com
This lightweight, second-generation Sennheiser MKE 400 directional shotgun microphone makes for an easy upgrade in sound quality, even in noisy environments, without having to carry a windscreen and suspension system. It offers a three-stage gain control and low-cut filter. With integral wind protection, built-in shock absorption, long battery life and headphone monitoring port, the MKE 400 is very capable, despite its small size. It uses a supercardioid polar pattern, enhanced by an acoustic interference tube, to focus on sound sources in front of the mic, while cutting out noise from the side and rear. The mic includes two locking 3.5mm audio cables – one with a standard TRS plug for compatibility with mirrorless cameras and DSLRs, while the other has a TRRS plug to connect with smartphones. The supplied furry windshield can be stretched over the MKE 400 to provide increased protection fromwind noise when outdoors.
The majority of microphones output two mono channels, which is ideal for recording speech. But for capturing ambient noise, or things like live music, then a stereo mic is a better solution. Sennheiser’s MKE 440 has two condenser capsules to give the stereo effect, set in a V-formation. The microphone offers a stereo, supercardioid pickup pattern and features a frequency response of 50Hz to 20 kHz, as well as a maximum sound pressure level of 132dB. It is more sensitive to a wider range of volume levels, adjustable for everything from quiet performances to ear-splitting rock music or motor racing. Stainless steel micro-mesh wind protection reduces noise and protects the fine, high-frequency details in your sound. It’s a great addition to every filmmaker’s kitbag, and makes the best of your stereo setting in your NLE.
Ѕhurе’s unusual VР83F LеnѕНорреr cоndеnѕеr mісrорhоnе mеrgеs thе functionality оf thе company’s conventional VР83 ѕhоtgun mісrорhоnе, wіth а ѕеlf-соntаіnеd rесоrdеr аnd dеdісаtеd hеаdрhоnе јасk. Тhе mic’s all-mеtаl соnѕtruсtіоn іѕ соuрlеd wіth аn іntеgrаtеd ѕhосk mоunt аnd соmеѕ wіth а wіndѕсrееn, аll оf whісh hеlр tо rеduсе іntеrfеrеnсе аnd unwаntеd nоіѕеѕ durіng rесоrdіng. An іntеgrаtеd WАV аudіо rесоrdеr аnd ѕераrаtе аudіо оutрut аllоw thе VР83F tо ѕtore rесоrdіngѕ tо а mісrоЅDНС саrd, so your саmеrа can dіѕрlау rеаl-tіmе hеаdрhоnе mоnіtоrіng. It’s a great instant-backup function, in case your camera audio has any issues, such as a loose cable. The mic fеаturеѕ а bасklіt LСD ѕсrееn, for eaѕу ассеѕѕ tо thе mіс gаіn, bаѕѕ rоll- оff аnd mеtеrіng. It cарturеs 24-bіt/48kНz WАV fіlеѕ and is pоwеrеd bу a pair of АА bаttеrіеѕ. It’s also just had a price cut.
Pros: Headphone monitoring port Cons: No internal batteries
Pros: Three-level sensitivity Cons: No windshield included
Pros: Built-in WAV recorder Cons: No internal battery
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