Sennheiser just announced its new Profile Series USB Mic. The PROFILE series, designed with audio quality and ease of use in mind, is a tiny and portable powerhouse. Its all-in-one design, sleek looks, and intuitive interface are sure to please anyone who needs a solution to top-tier streaming audio.
Packed with new features, the Sennheiser Profile USB mic is a content creator’s dream. Let’s take a look at everything it offers.
Key Features of the Sennheiser Profile Mic
- Powered by USB-C
- Adjustable tilt function with self-locking joint
- Mute button with LED ring indicator light
- Gain control with LED ring indicator light
- Mix control for balancing microphone and device level
- 3.5 mm headphone output for audio monitoring
- Headphone volume control
- Cardioid capsule for off-axis rejection of sound
- Robust metal housing and premium finish
- Durable table stand with 3/8″ and 5/8″ mounting options
- Streaming set includes 3-point self-locking boom arm
What’s Great About the Sennheiser Profile Mic?
Connection and Power
First, the Sennheiser Profile Mic connects with USB-C — the reigning standard connection for all modern audio interfaces because it features full rotational symmetry. There is no “upside down,” so no more struggling to connect under low light or in small spaces.
Giving you a lightning-fast data rate of up to 480 Mbit/s, the Profile Mic provides full speed for every broadcast. It does not need an external power supply, such as phantom power or a separate audio interface. Just add your computer and headphones, and you’ve got a fully self-contained recording and mixing station.
Cardioid Polar Pattern
Many streamers are forced to work in less-than-ideal environments. Sennheiser understands this and, therefore, has designed this mic using a cardioid polar pattern. What exactly does this mean? A polar pattern describes how and where a microphone best picks up and rejects sound. Cardioid is a type of polar pattern that picks up sound at the front of the mic and ignores sound to the rear. The PROFILE allows crystal clear audio capture and excellent off-axis rejection of noise from the external environment.
Easy Controls
If you’re tired of fiddling with overly complicated gear, say goodbye to that frustration and hello to Sennheiser. The Profile Mic features a beautiful, clear layout of controls on the front panel. Its ergonomic design will have new users sounding like professionals in minutes.
The mute button and gain control feature with LED indicators are handily accessible on the top of the microphone. This bright LED indicator lets users know at a glance if the mic is receiving a signal. A separate indicator designates if the input is overloading to help guarantee clean, distortion-free recordings and live streams.
On-the-fly adjustments to your microphone’s input and mute controls simplify the operation and ensure that your voice is loud and clear when you want to hear it and silent when you don’t. All these controls at your fingertips mean more time to focus on your content.
Mix Control
Managing your voice levels against the music, sound effects, and other narrative sounds is critical to making an engaging and enjoyable podcast. The Mix control is without a doubt the handiest feature on an already well-thought-out piece of gear. These controls make adjustments quick and simple with a rotary control to balance between the mic and audio stream. Users can easily adjust the relative levels on the fly to ensure the voice and story never get lost or overpowered.
Flexible Positioning
The Sennheiser PROFILE has incredibly flexible positioning capabilities, regardless of the environment. The mic features an adjustable tilt function, including a self-locking joint for stability. For users that need even more placement options, Sennheiser makes the Profile Streaming Set.
This set includes a 3-point, self-locking boom arm for even more positioning possibilities. On-camera streamers will appreciate the sleek, streamlined look that includes cable clips to keep the USB cable out of sight. At the same time, the 880mm boom length with three fully positional joints allow stable mic placement in any environment. When looking professional is just as important as sounding professional, this streaming set is your ideal choice.
Who Should Use the Sennheiser Profile USB Mic?
Streamers
The Sennheiser Profile USB Mic is perfect for any type of creator. Youtube/Twitch stars and other streamers will appreciate the power and ease of the Mix control. This feature allows them to instantly alter the balance of their streaming audio compared to their voice. Many streamers play games or have background music/audio that varies in level and is outside their control. The Mix feature ensures that the balance will always be correct. With a universally used 3.5 mm headphone jack, anyone can connect the headphones of their choice — whether on the road or at home.
The world is your studio. Sennheiser custom designed the Profile for streamers and other on-the-go content creators. Its robust metal housing is rugged and perfect for remote audio broadcasting of any kind. The locking tilt function allows for ideal positioning in any environment. Also, the cardioid polar pattern is perfect for cutting down on extraneous noise.
Newer streamers who work at home will appreciate its complete feature set as well. With the Sennheiser Profile Mic, you don’t need an entire studio. Your computer, headphones, and microphone are all you need to create quality content wherever and whenever you want.
The Sennheiser PROFILE Streaming Set rises to the occasion for those working with video and audio. Its modern looks punch way above their price point and will work with nearly any background setting. The matte finish and cable channel add a professional touch to the understated design.
Also, the 3-point self-locking boom arm is flexible and can be positioned around monitors, speakers, mixing desks, and cameras. Artists who use their hands for their art and need a clear workspace in front of them will have no difficulty positioning the microphone. Whatever your setup is, the Sennheiser PROFILE Streaming Set will integrate perfectly.
Comparable Products
Sennheiser also makes the Sennheiser MK 4 Studio Condenser Microphone and multi-pattern MK 8 Studio Microphone. These are both large-diaphragm condensers and remain an excellent choice for complex, multi-microphone systems. Recording studios and streaming content creators can work with the full line of Sennheiser microphones.
However, the MK4, MK8, and other Sennheiser microphones require a preamp/interface and are not the best choice for remote usage. The Profile is USB-powered and requires no separate interface, cables, or stands. This makes for a clean, simple, and affordable choice for any setup at home or on the road. Additionally, budget-minded streamers of all types will appreciate the price point of the Profile. Both the Profile and full streaming set come in at a budget-friendly price.
Conclusion
The Sennheiser Profile USB Microphone has a self-contained functionality and streamlined interface that allows users to focus on creative content and less on the technical details of their gear. Whether you are seeking a standalone microphone or the whole streaming set, the Profile promises professional looks and sound.
