ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE SENNHEISER
Leading theway on sound Sennheiser produces a wide range of products for filmmakers at all levels, all designed tomake the process of achieving high-quality audio to go alongside visuals easy and straightforward
A ny seasoned filmmaker realises that, however good the visuals might be, if the accompanying soundtrack isn’t up to standard then the entire production will be compromised. As a professional it’s crucial to be delivering a complete package, and audio has a key role to play in this. As a long established and highly respected player in the audio field, Sennheiser understands this only too well, but has also taken on board the fact that many filmmakers are looking for accessories that not only deliver excellent results but which are also straightforward to use. The result is a striking lineup of products that encompasses everything from on-camera mics through to a sophisticated wireless audio system and even a headset capable of recording binaural sound. The two ultra-compact on-camera mics produced by Sennheiser, the MKE 400 (mono) andMKE 440 (stereo), are designed to sit in a hotshoe mount and connect directly to a camera’s external microphone input. In the matter of moments it takes to fit, youmove from the unacceptably low quality invariably achieved by a camera’s built-inmic to a sound that’s on a different level altogether, and it can be the making of an altogether more sophisticated production. The MKE 400 features a rugged all- metal housing, switchable sensitivity for long and short distances, a switchable wind noise filter and an integral shock mount for rejection of handling noise, and can deliver around 300 hours of performance from a single AAA battery. A foamwindshield is also supplied to cut down still further on incidental noise.
battery power. Before any interference becomes audible the AVX selects the best operating frequency and switches to a clean channel, guaranteeing perfect audio transmission every time between microphone and camera. The AVX-ME2 SET includes a bodypack transmitter with lavalier microphone, plug-in receiver and all accessories to operate out of the box with camcorders as well as DSLR cameras. The AVX-835 SET has similar specifications but comes with a handheldmicrophone to enable presentations to camera. With a nod to the changing world of audio, the latest Sennheiser innovation is the AMBEO SMART HEADSET, the world’s first intuitive, compact and mobile 3D sound recording headset. Its earpieces are fitted with omnidirectional microphones that capture the sounds in your environment just as your ears would. Aimed at vloggers and other content creators, the device integrates seamlessly with Apple iOS devices andmakes it simple to achieve 3D recordings that can be enjoyed through any pair of stereo headphones. Covering all the bases, Sennheiser’s aim is to simplify the world of audio while ensuring quality standards remain sky high and, as such, the company is the perfect partner for any filmmaker looking to achieve a well-rounded production that succeeds on all levels.
Meanwhile the MKE 440 is effectively a combination of two short shotgunmics, mounted in a ‘V-Stereo’ configuration to highlight the sound of the video image and reject off-axis noise from outside the camera focus. A robust and durable stainless steel micro-mesh protects the microphones and suppresses wind noise. As opposed to regular foamwindscreens, the metal mesh will not influence the sound by muffling high-frequency clarity. Furthermore, it serves as a shield against electromagnetic interference. Meanwhile the integrated battery- powered, high dynamic electronic circuit matches the output signal of the MKE 440 to the camera’s input sensitivity, while the low cut filter reduces structure-borne noise and low-frequency wind noise. The MKE 440 offers extra-long operation time; more than 100 hours on two AAA batteries. Wireless recording Sennheiser’s much admired AVX family makes it simple to record high-quality audio in the field or studio; it’s a plug-and- play system that requires no technical knowledge to set up. The AVX plugs directly into the XLR audio input using phantompower, and switches on and off automatically with the camera to save “Sennheiser’s aim is to simplify the world of audiowhile ensuring standards remainhigh”
More information https://en-uk.sennheiser.com
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PRO MOVIEMAKER SPRING 2018
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