Sennheiser MKE 400 Microphone Definitive Review

[@jaywalker.]

The MKE 400 is a little gem, IMO. Easily won the outdoors test for me and stood up well indoors as well. Oh, and just to add a little penny onto your conclusion about the MKE 400, I think it's worth mentioning that the shorter interference tube on the MKE might be a both a blessing and a curse. While it does make it a worse shotgun microphone in that it's less directional, I think it might make it a better all-purpose microphone for indoor interviews, etc. Since longer shotgun mics often reject some of the desirable sound from the room and result in slightly unnatural vocal recordings compared to pencil condenser mics, for example, the MKE 400 might be kind of a hybrid that sits in the middle. Great video, thank you for this!

[@TheDeanCStone]

Thank you Mark for such a thorough technical review! If someone did a review of mke-400 reviews, you'd win! ☺️

[@markwiemels]

Thanks, this is a super mic, I appreciate it even more now than I did when I did this review. It's really a great microphone.

[@tampatrainguy8486]

Thanks for another great video and review. Needed to buy a mike for the Canon M6 Mark ii on short notice to shoot a fund-raising veterans group talk and dinner. Based on your review and a few others I went with the MKE 400 and it performed like a champ. Love the rigid design, auto-off feature and the headphone jack, it was great to monitor the sound directly during the recording while standing at the camera. Even from a bit of the distance and the speaker speaking softly, the dialog was still clear enough.

[@markwiemels]

That great to hear! Thanks for the feedback.

[@shyamvk]

what settings on mic and camera did you use?

[@jaimetan]

Yay!! Was waiting for this review! Your voice sounds smoothest on the MKE400 I reckon. I’ve just got mine and testing it out… curious to see what the difference is with a female voice (I’m not liking how my voice sounds on the MKE200 either). Thanks Mark!

[@markwiemels]

Yes, the MKE 200 really lacks bass, and the MKE 400 give some really nice smooth low end. I really like the MKE 400, especially the small form factor. I suspect the MKE 400 should work well for you.

[@FrederickDunn]

Thank you! You are the first to add the convenience of pocketing the mic without issues. I carry my cameras on a harness and that solid aspect is appealing. Thank you for your excellent and fast-paced review! Excellent.

[@markwiemels]

Great to hear it was helpful. I am even more impresses with this mic today, than the day I made this video.

[@faspete2nd]

Oh man! So many microphones do so many things different these days it hard to pick one. My advice is to buy from a place with a great return policy. Your voice is the determining factor in the final purchase. If the mic cost $20.00 or $1000.00 it makes no difference if it's not a good match for your voice. Case in point, look at what Jaime Tan mentioned in the comments. Great review Mark. You have been doing a fantastic job with all the mic reviews.

[@markwiemels]

Thanks Peter, I ended up with a few too many mics going down this rabbit hole. Still have a fair few to review and have not even got onto the "broadcast style" mics and the wireless mics.

[@berndkiltz]

Just bought it and like it very much. Actually unbelievable how good it sounds for the 200 bucks I paid for the mobile bundle. Nice Vid!

[@markwiemels]

I know, it's exceptional.

[@gluteusmaximus7608]

Best review on this so far. Watched about 10... Good job, and thanks.

[@RVKevin]

scrolling for gear this morning to solve this very problem, you video popped up. Very detailed examples Mark, thank you for taking the time to make this video, I really appreciate it. I am thinking about the MKe-400 now instead of the Rode VideoMic NTG

[@markwiemels]

The MKE 400 has a really nice form factor. It's like pro level mic that is 1/2 the size of the others.

[@RockyColaFizz]

I have and really like this mic. The handling noise though, from the camera body is definitely more pronounced than other mics with the rycote mount.

[@markwiemels]

It's interesting, I find that even varies based on the camera. My Fuji's seem to give me way more handling noice than my Canon's, when using the same microphone.

[@thekonvos]

Bro awesome definitive review! I have the MKE 600 and love it but I need something smaller to roll out with and your video helped me to decide if to get this or not 💯🙏🏾

[@markwiemels]

Awesome, thank you!

[@PrudhviMitra]

Is it alright vs the 600 ?

[@Pfagnan]

Thanks Mark!! I too have the MKE 600 but after your review will be getting the MKE400 for my other camera! 👏👏👏

[@roderickdeleeuw2101]

Would the 3.5 mm output also work to hear the other side when doing zoom calls on a mac/iphone? This would prevent me buying a y-splitter. Moreover, I assume a normal extension (trs/ttrs) would work to make it boomed above your head? Great review! Thanks a bunch!

[@hayabusaTravels]

0:38 to stop the woable you need to push the red mic wire into a base crevasse from the mic base. That's the purpose of those little holes situated on the mic base. It's not just for the grip.

[@kyleledotnet]

What settings should I use for mine? +20 and lowcut on or off?

[@markwiemels]

+20 if you can make that work with your camera (ie you can turn the gain down enought in the camera). You basically use the highest level on the mic, that you can make work with the camera. For the low cut, this is personal preference, I think it's better with it off, but if you are in a busy city, or there is lots of wind around, you may want to turn it on to get rid of the low level rumble.

[@kyleledotnet]

@@markwiemels Thank you Mark!! I tried +20 and -12 on my Panasonic G9.

[@markwiemels]

@@kyleledotnet perfect! and I would only use the low pass filter if you see wind that is triggering the audio meters, but you can also use an eq to introduce a high pass in editing, so I would only use the high pass on the microphone if you don’t want to edit the audio at all. Generally it is better to let the mic capture all the frequencies, then you can decide what you want to do with it when you are editing.

[@kyleledotnet]

@@markwiemels I notice that even in a relative quiet backyard I still hear a lot of environmental noise that might need noise removal on final cut pro. I prefer not to edit audio at all so I might just leave the low pass filter on all the time, even though you are right, voices do sound better with it on, but i have noticed less noise when it on as well.

[@markwiemels]

@@kyleledotnet keep in mind that the low pass will only deal with the low frequencies, if your voice still sounds fine with the low pass on, then there is no real harm in using it. The mke 400 is one of the better mics I have tested in regards to focusing on what’s in front of it, and eliminating noise from the sides and back.

[@denkomaru]

been looking at getting a camera mic sometime, ill have to keep this one in mind solid review

[@markwiemels]

Thanks for watching.

[@dondeanda]

Great review, thanks!

[@HavalKurdistanPeace4all]

Hi, would the size of this mic work on GoPro her 11 media mod ? Many thanks

[@ParsclickTV]

great design im replacing mine to this I just wish the aux cable was also black and shorter.

[@markwiemels]

Yes, it sounds so good, especially for the size of the mic.

[@OfficerArsenault]

I thought the same, I bought a 6 inch black cord I got at a camera store. Just fits!

[@justcallmesando]

I know it's not the standard but could you use this microphone to record some more controlled situation like yourself right now talking in this video? (EDITED) I just got to the part where you just do that exactly. It's great to see this mic boomed. I think I can live with this for using it this way and having a great alternative for outdoors as well. Thank you.

[@markwiemels]

Yes, it's really good for that, you can use it for voiceover too.

[@justcallmesando]

@@markwiemels Thank you!!

[@BuildsWithV]

Would you recommend this or the Sony ecm b10 for someone who owns the a6400 (can’t use the digital audio feature). I’m very new to audio so I have no idea if the analog makes any difference. Thanks

[@markwiemels]

I have not tested that mic, so I can't share any real insight.

[@BuildsWithV]

@@markwiemels all good. Ended up testing that mic against my cheap movo mic and the movo sounded better when compared to the Sony on analog mode. Digital sounded slightly better

[@flyingpete]

Thanks Mark, VERY helpful.

[@SamW604]

Thanks for the review; however, I wish you would have compared the MKE400 to more $200 on-camera mics. Of course , it should sound better that sub-$100 mics.

[@markwiemels]

I would, if I had them at the time. This mic will be in some upcoming comparisons with more high end mics.

[@Doogsay]

My GO II has a usb connection into the cam other than the 3.5mm. The senn doesnt seem to. Is that an issue?

[@jiff1982]

i purchased this mic because of your video, but i am super disappointed in it, it has noise no matter what i do you can hear it, what setting are you using.

[@markwiemels]

hmm... are you sure it's not the pre-amps in your camera? I use the middle or highest boost on the mic and then adjust the camera accordingly. Manual audio settings in the camera, not auto.

[@MrPennyNichols]

I'm getting a really bad low-end "honk" from this mic. The sound would otherwise be very good, but if you're within 7 inches the "honk" on bassy syllables makes it completely unusable. I've tested it next to other mics in different settings and different distances. I've even tried dampening the housing with rubber bands....but it's still there. Maybe my unit is defective, but my guess is that it's the actual cylindrical case that's causing this.

[@markwiemels]

I have not noticed this on mine, but I mostly use it on camera and the subjects are further away.

[@MR.MRITT.]

thanks for useful video and i like sennheiser more than other and deity was the second option for me.any way thanks and keep going

[@Justin_in_London]

Nice review. Note, however, that Sennheiser is a German company, and they use the German pronunciation of their name in their marketing worldwide. The correct pronunciation sounds like ZEN-hi-zur, not SIN-hi-zur.

[@markwiemels]

I have been wondering about that. I have seen a few people saying it that way.

[@Fotomensch]

Can you switch the mke400 on manually? Or is it auto only? The automatic on/off doesn't seem work with the Atomos Ninja V with many mics

[@markwiemels]

Yes, you can do it manually. Push the little power light that would normally come on automaticity.

[@thomascollier24]

Your audio samples are great

[@markwiemels]

So kind of you to say. Thanks!

[@KevinMullarkey]

Rode video mic pro audio often cuts out so have ended up with recordings with no sound! Happened with two mics on two different cameras so will NEVER buy Rode products again. I've used two of the previous Sen MK400 which always gave reliable sound but the poor quality rubber suspension would always break so the MKE 400 looks ideal for me.

[@markwiemels]

The MKE 400 is a great mic

[@iPhone-Cinematograhy]

Very helpful… Thank you.

[@draxxicek]

While I have a MKH60 in my arsenal, I do like using small mics, such as ME64 or the Røde VideoMic (mkI) or (!) very often VideoMicro. After trying the MKE200 and being disappointed, I must say that MKE400 delivers! This seems like a viable candidate to replace VideoMicro and ME66/64 in my lightweight documentary setup! AFAIK the Røde VideoMicro is hypercardioid unlike the supercardioid MKE400, so the comparison is still a bit off, but in your review, the VideoMicro indoors on a boom still sounded thinner than MKE400

[@markwiemels]

Yes, agree the MKE 400 is an amazing and versatile mic. They advertise the VideoMicro as a Cardioid microphone, but it does sound more directional than that to me, more super or hyper cardioid.

[@mnovaes]

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?

[@markwiemels]

Yea, I think it would work very well. The more I use this mic, the more impressed I am with it.

[@frosini_Kats]

I bought mke 400. I have xiaomi 12 so i used an adaptor. The sound is terrible and you hear some noices. Why is this happening? Maybe cheap adaptor?

[@joestrahl6980]

Could it be you are using the wrong cable TRS vs TRRS? That can lead to terrible results with a TRS cable into a phone.

[@Rhythm_Academy]

I think auto mic levels at Xiaomi 12 does it

[@amirulrasyidyussof]

sir, what camera you use and what the preamp setting for the base db mke 400?

[@markwiemels]

Fuji X-T4, was about 30% on the camera, middle setting on the mic.

[@amirulrasyidyussof]

@@markwiemels I see... do you ever try matching the mic with sony cameras? If yes, may I know the setting?

[@KevinMullarkey]

Why doesn't the auto power work with my Panasonic Lumix S5 but it does work with my Lumix FZ2000?

[@markwiemels]

Good question, I'm not sure.

[@boahandarrowsproductions4326]

From what I've read it depends if the camera can send power out of the mic port.

[@Eatmeraw]

you need plug-in power enabled on your mic socket options. Thats how the auto power on-off works.

[@KevinMullarkey]

Thanks that sorted the problem

[@frankluo230]

I found it odd no review on KZbin compares it to its closest brother MKE600. The 600 is 5yr old but can be had for the same price as new MKE400. Any reason no KZbinr think they are comparable?

[@markwiemels]

I hope to do that comparison. It is a very different form factor, but I agree, I’m surprised no one has done the comparison.

[@frankluo230]

@@markwiemels Both are on camera shotgun small diaphragm condenser mic I don't think they differ all that much. KA600 cable allows MKE600 to plug straight into camera too. Single AA battery is better than two AAA batteries. MKE600 doesn't come with any blimp system or windjammer but a slip on super softie will provide more or less the same wind protection circa -30db, extra $100.

[@markwiemels]

@@frankluo230 yah. The 600 is a great mic, but it’s really a shotgun mic that is more at home on a boom pole, or a big cinema camera, than todays typical mirrorless camera. It’s really the form factor that is significantly different. 600 would win for flat out audio quality for sure.

[@frankluo230]

@@markwiemels Sennheiser thinks they belong to the same MKE series though. I hope early next year Sennheiser announces a blimp shaped MKE600 II.

[@markwiemels]

@@frankluo230 yes, same series, all microphone for video production. I have an MKE 440 I’m testing out now, which is a pretty special microphone, that no one talks about, the sound is really amazing.

[@propylaeen]

Take one of the red spiral cables with gold contacts from røde and this mic is superbe!

[@ijovy3]

i have that cable - how would it help?

[@propylaeen]

@@ijovy3 The blue Sennheiser cable is making crackling noises if slightly touched... the red Røde cable with the gold TRS plugs don't do this harsh handling with the cable rotating it in the plug while recording no crackling sound...

[@adnan_velic]

I got a mke200 and man it picks up a lot of noise around me. Is the mke400 any better? Looking to replace my deity d3 pro as it’s huge

[@markwiemels]

It's one of the best mics I own for noise rejection. Check out my review of the Rode VideoMic Go II, I have a real world test of the MKE-400 in that video.

[@adnan_velic]

@@markwiemels thanks for the video Mark. Have you compared it to the deity d3 pro? If so which one do you prefer for sound quality?

[@markwiemels]

@@adnan_velic It's also in the comparison, It's so close between the MKE-400 and the D3 pro, that it comes down to personal preference. The MKE-400 is much better at off axis rejection. I probably prefer the pure sound out of the D3 Pro, but it's so close that I use the MKE-400 all the time for the size and auto-power on/off.

[@adnan_velic]

@@markwiemels sold ! I’m willing to sacrifice a little sound quality over portability. I very rarely use my d3 pro and I have used it a handful of times in Public vlogging it’s just too damn big. I’m returning the mke200 and getting the mke400. Thank you so much for the help!

[@markwiemels]

@@adnan_velic You will be super happy with the MKE-400.

[@bilalmuhammad4541]

Hey can you pls make a video about how to set On-Camera mic on Boom stand for studio use? Thanks

[@markwiemels]

Good video idea! Thanks.

[@KevinMullarkey]

What is the advantage of having the mic cable as detachable as opposed to the conventional hard wired to the mic? You can always add a female extension cable to extend it and why the bright blue colour?

[@markwiemels]

If the cable is damaged it can be replaced by the user.

[@PrudhviMitra]

How does this compare to the mKe 600

[@markwiemels]

I have a video about the 600 on the channel, with this mic in the comparison.

[@PrudhviMitra]

yeah i have seen that. so are you saying the 600 is the best in terms of all out quality ? but the 400 is great for the size, but still not as good as the 600 (obvious im guessing) @@markwiemels

[@KevinMullarkey]

Have you tried the mic when the camera is powered by the mains instead of a battery? I did and it picks up a very loud humming noise. I dont have such a problem with my Rode Video pro mic or 15 year old Sennheiser mke400mk1 (still y goto mic). Happens on two Panasonic Limix cameras S5 & FZ2000. Does anyone else have this issue?

[@Abror.Akromov]

Rode videomic Go 2 and Sennheiser mke 400. Which of these two microphones is better to use for ASMR videos? Some bloggers claim that the Sennheiser mke 400 microphone has relatively strong 'self noise', is that true?

[@gluteusmaximus7608]

The self noise is a bit higher on the MKE 400. If you are recording ASMR on your computer I suggest trying some noise gate or noise filtering software. Steelseries Sonar is the only working one that is free I've found so far. The AI noise cancelling works well. But then again if you are doing ASMR, I think a microphone with a different polar pattern might be better, as I imagine you would want to pick up sound from multiple directions.

[@Tout-pour-la-musique]

A big drawback occurred to me: the warning of battery discharge does not work.

[@johnheiser2604]

You've won me. Now let's go shopping.

[@johnheiser2604]

Got it. Try out tomorrow.

[@petrub27]

all 3 of your video angles have different exposure level

[@jasonl4718]

Testing outdoors when thereʻs light to moderate winds is also a great way to compare. Hope u can try that next time! Liked & subbed!

[@markwiemels]

Yes, I agree. I have discovered that I live in an area with "gusty" wind, which has made it hard to do any sort of consistent testing, particularly when doing comparisons to other mics. I think it would be a better real world test, if I could pull it off.

[@markshirley01]

Im seeing comments that the hotshoe ring can break

[@markwiemels]

I have not had an issues, after lots of use, but it is plastic. I look after my gear, but if you are hard on you stuff I suppose it could break.

[@swfilm4685]

yes best mic ever 😇

Thanks for this review. I’m really considering this mic for my video kit Do you have any self noise issues like reported in this video : kzbin.info/www/bejne/iHvak2hrq5Wtaqc ? Thanks again for your really good videos

[@markwiemels]

No, I have never noticed this issue with mine.

@@markwiemels Good ! Thanks a lot !

[@peekapeekabooboo]

Sold on shelf life. I also have this paranoia. This is really a weird model IMHO. We need to save this planet and make things as reusable and long lasting as possible. Having a inbuilt battery that can die anytime IMHO is waste of resources and money.

[@ahoyleisure]

I have the MKE 400 and its amazing - best sound but that plastic hotshoe - watch my vlog to see what happened. I said it would happen. So frustrating!!!!