Sennheiser E614 Super Cardioid Condenser Microphone Unboxing and Testing

[@RANDassociatesinc]

So, let’s please step up the praise of this microphone. This is a well built, durable, great sounding mic that will not break the bank (which gets SUPER easy to do when discussing professional microphones), and treat you well for years. I own a suite of Sennheiser Mics: wireless (x3), ME66, and of course the e614. While designed for musical instrument applications, this mic happens to have exceptional vocal capture quality and accuracy. The limitation of unleashing the full quality of the e614 in this video is the use of the Zoom recorder. I record with a Sound Devices 552 and The result I get is solid, full bodies professional grade recordings. Rest assured this is a high quality professional microphone. …with a great bang for your buck! I use it for recording dialogue and voice overs. It has exceptional low end and mid range capture. It is important to note that at the high end of the frequency range it is a bit muted but the high end can be worked on in post. I boom the mic just above the talent and position it a little off-axis (at an angle so not directly into the front of the microphone). Generally with voice I use it mostly as is with minimal EQ in post; depending on the voice that was recorded. The e614 has a retail price of $199.00 and can be had used for $150 to $175 on average. The next step up would be the Sennheiser e914 at $399 and the MKH 614 at $1000. It requires 48V phantom power but is small and incredibly well built. This mic is a solid investment and will provide you with many years of solid service.

[@vaskoobscura_]

Very nicely said. You should be making mic reviews. :) Thank you for the comment I think it will be very helpful for people reading the comments and wanting to know more about the mic. I appreciate you taking the time to write this.

[@RANDassociatesinc]

@@vaskoobscura_ Thank you very much! I appreciate your feedback. I am just super passionate about solid audio. Funny enough, I make a living as a photographer and DP but have always had a high appreciation of quality audio and have invested much time (and a bit of money) in learning how to get it. Hmm…maybe i will actually start doing mic reviews. Thanks again!!

[@diegoviecili8888]

Just bought it and I loved how I actually didn’t hear the sound from the street 👍 If you didn’t made any voice isolation this mic is amazing to pick just front sound ❤❤❤ thanks

[@vaskoobscura_]

You're welcome glad the video was helpful for you and happy to hear that you're enjoying the mic. It really captures beautiful audio.

[@rombsix]

For the price, it did a very reasonable job. Wishing you the best 😊

[@vaskoobscura_]

Thank you! 😊 Really appreciate the comment.

[@nathanksimpson]

That foley test was great. Biting an apple is something a foley artist might need to record with it. I really wonder if it would be a good boom mic (instead of an on camera mic).

[@vaskoobscura_]

I'm planning to do another review video with this mic now that I've spent more time with it. I'll write boom mic into my tests and and check it out. This mic doest have a long rejection tube so it would probably work well as a boom mic indoors. I have't had issues with it yet.

[@teja1015]

Thinking of using this mic for a shortfilm -- how does it fair when sound sources are 6-8 feet away?

[@vaskoobscura_]

Hey thanks for the comment. This is a pencil condenser mic so it's designed to pickup sounds that are close to it. It might work for you if you were shooting indoors but it doesn't have long rejection tubes so you'll probably pickup a lot of ambient sound at 6-8 feet outdoors. There is a company that makes a clone of the legendary Sennheiser 416. It's Called the Synco D2. From everything I've heard it's amazing and would be a great budget option for a short film. Here is the link amzn.to/424D2e2

[@JoeCastellon]

I wish you hadn't applied noise reduction so we could hear the raw audio. Otherwise, nice review.

[@vaskoobscura_]

Sorry about that. I'm going to revisit this review and make a new video with raw audio from the mic for those that want to hear that.

[@JoeCastellon]

@@vaskoobscura_ no need to apologize! I appreciate the effort

[@muchosmitos2000]

you use noise reduction for the street? i hear artifacts....

[@vaskoobscura_]

I used a bit. I think I got my settings wrong and got some noise from the mic I was trying to remove. I didn't hear any artifacting when I exported the video. I wonder if KZbin compression has something to do with it.

[@thejoyofwigmaking]

This is a great tes✨🙌🏾😊

[@vaskoobscura_]

Thank you! 😊

[@ngocehgayabebas2118]

Did you eq the audio?

[@danielazulaivoiceover]

Did you test against the 416?

[@vaskoobscura_]

No didn't test it against the 416 I don't own one. The 416 is an outdoor mic. It's not good for indoor use unless you are in a really well sound treated room.

[@danielazulaivoiceover]

@@vaskoobscura_ Thanks! I have a 416, but I record it in a treated room. I was looking for a comparission.

[@thefishylife]

hello, can this be use for dialog recording or interview perpose?

[@vaskoobscura_]

Yup it can be used for that purpose. It's better suited for indoor spaces. This mic also works best when close to the subject so it really comes down to how much space you need around your subject. If you want the mic to be more than 2 feet away maybe a mic with a longer rejection tube would be better.

[@thefishylife]

thanks for your inputs 😇@@vaskoobscura_

[@RobLukkien]

12:33 12:54 13:32 Soundcheck

[@vaskoobscura_]

Thanks for the comment. Are there issues with the sound there?

[@TempoDrift1480]

There's a heavy truck out there??? Wooooooooo, that sounds way too manly for me. I don't know if I can handle a generator... Too much pollution.

[@vaskoobscura_]

Thanks for the comment.

[@vaskoobscura_]

So what did you think of the sound coming from the Sennheiser E614? Did you hear a lot of echo? Did my voice sound clear and crisp? Let me know your thoughts.

[@m00photo92]

I honestly think it sounds super awesome

[@m00photo92]

Would you recommend it for anything professional?

[@vaskoobscura_]

@@m00photo92 sorry for the late response. Yes I would. This is a professional level mic.

[@matthartman9007]

I didn't like the sound. Your voice sounded tinny and thin. The lower frequencies seem hollow and the higher frequencies seem ever so slightly muted. I'm not sure if it's the microphone itself, it's placement (or proximity or alignment) or something in your recording chain. I don't think it's your studio. Have you applied a HPF to the signal? If so, at what parameters? Also, what have you done to this recording in post? BTW, I'm listening on MDR-7506's. If I had to venture a guess, I would think that you are are too far off axis. But that's just a guess. Any insights a year later? FWIW, I've heard the E614 on another YT channel recorded with the same H4N Pro and the mic sounded okay. Nothing exceptional, but still good. I cannot say the same thing for this video. Sorry, not trying to be rude or critical, just trying to weigh the efficacy of this mic.

[@eastbaymauiboy]

Nice video, It taught me a lot!, thanks!. I own 2 of these but I use them as overheads for the drum kit. They give a super crystalline sound, especially with the cymbals, but when I heard your voice recording, it sounded a bit muted. I was surprised, but these things handle tons of DB and sound fantastic for drums. They pick up everything super clear and with a surprising amount of body. Maybe they mute some highs automatically bc they expect to be bombarded by cymbals. I dunno, but for drummers, they're kinda exceptional