The NAB Show in Las Vegas is never lacking when it comes to the latest product announcements from our favorite broadcast and audio manufacturers. And now audio specialist Sennheiser steps up to the plate with the MKE 440. Quoting Product Manager Kai Lange, “the MKE 440 is not only the most compact stereo shotgun microphone on the market, quite unlike other stereo camera microphones, it will predominantly pick up the sound from within the camera angle thanks to its new stereo principle.” In other words, Sennheiser has created a video shotgun mic that is more directional and precise in its recording while allowing in just enough ambient background noise.
It’s akin to having a boom mic pointed near a subject’s head while eliminating the need for a pole or separate recording device. The MKE 440 actually contains two microphones that record audio within the camera angle. Although it still lets in some noise off to the sides of each mic, the V-shape arrangement “picks up the sound from within the direction of filming and rejects the majority of off-axis noise from outside the camera focus.”
The MKE 440 is shock mounted and protected from the wind by a stainless steal micro-mesh. According to Sennheiser, it will be available from June 2016.
• Pick up pattern: stereo and super-cardioid
• 50 to 20,000 Hz frequency response
• Max. sound pressure level is 132 dB SPL
• 23/42/63 mV/Pa, switchable
• 16/21/40 dB (A) equivalent noise level
• powered by 2 AAA batteries
* 3.5 mm jack plug connector
• Approximately 67 x 106 x 128 mm in size
No word yet on suggested retail price. However, the MKE 440 is likely to become a major game changer for audio recording especially when it comes to DSLR video enthusiasts.
