Whether on the forehead or on the cheek; with adhesive tape, magnetic holder or Dracula clip, with or without make-up covers, with wind protection, black or skin-colored: the MKE Essential Omni comes with stage-proven accessories and fits every make up and every requirement. www.fcc.gov/cgb/wirelessmicrophones. The MKE Essential Omni has multiple safeguards against the tough demands of theatrical productions. The easy-to-use Sennheiser MKE 200 microphone delivers a clear, crisp directional signal for cameras and mobile devices. And the $100 Sennheiser Memory Mic is an intriguing wireless, wearable, app-controlled mic that allows your subject to move far away from the camera without the audio signal changing in level. (508250), Accessories for The massive potential of the MKE Essential Omni remains unobtrusive thanks to its lightweight and easy-to-conceal design. (508252), Safety instructions and regulatory information, © 2020 Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG | USA, CONSUMER ALERT FOR WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEMS. Most of the microphones we review connect to computers via USB, but the Sennheiser MKE 200 is designed primarily for mirrorless cameras and phones, and at $99.95… In order to use the mi… For more information, call the FCC at 1-888-CALL-FCC (TTY: 1-888-TELL-FCC) or visit the FCC’s wireless microphone website at Stage equipment included Reduced to the essentials, the aspirations of big productions become feasible, even for smaller productions and smaller budgets. MKE Essential Omni (Black) Some more expensive camera mics will include filters or pads that can attenuate the signal—the Rode VideoMic NTG even includes a "safety" recording channel that pulls in a simultaneous audio signal at a lower level to avoid distortion. The Sennheiser MKE 200 isn’t the only somewhat affordable, solid on-camera mic for portable audio recording. The Sennheiser MKE 2 Elements assembly consists of the microphone and a rear panel that connects to the GoPro’s waterproof case. Most of the microphones we review connect to computers via USB, but the Sennheiser MKE 200 is designed primarily for mirrorless cameras and phones, and at $99.95, it's an affordable option for capturing audio on the go. If you don’t attach the microphone near your mouth with tape, you have a wide variety of accessories to utilize, including rotatable clips, magnetic mounts and makeup cover-ups. Sennheiser MKE Essential Omni - - Big performance – Also for more moderately-sized and smaller stages, the MKE Essential Omni guarantees a brilliant sound that meets high expectations, has a robust design and is protected from sweat thanks to an ultra-light patented umbrella diaphragm. A sophisticated patented umbrella diaphragm protects the more sensitive components against sweat. The coiling makes it easy to angle the cable away from the camera body, clearing the way for flip-out video displays found on vlog-friendly models. The cold shoe mount does a good job of keeping the mic’s position steady and also not transferring much of the camera body noise to the mic signal. The MKE Essential Omni (omnidirectional) is designed for demanding everyday use on live stages. Measuring 2.7 by 2.4 by 1.5 inches (HWD), the black MKE 200 is exceptionally lightweight at 1.5 ounces and has a built-in cold shoe mount for easy, quick attachment to DSLRs or compatible mobile device cases. First, a bit of bad news: The Sennheiser MKE 2 Elements only works with the GoPro Hero4 camera line, so if you have an older (or newer) camera, you’ll be left out in the cold. The MKE Essential Omni small condenser microphone brings warmth and brilliance to every stage voice. Its super-cardioid pattern makes it ideal for picking up sound in front of the camera and rejecting audio behind and to the sides, which makes it a solid choice for vloggers, or anyone trying to record in a somewhat noisy environment. So the windshield cover does its job and should make recording in gusty scenarios relatively tolerable with a little bit of thoughtful maneuvering, while breezy scenarios should have almost no impact on the recording. Contributing Editor Tim Gideon has been writing for PCMag since 2006. The MKE 200 can get some decent proximity effect, but beyond a few feet away, that will be less of an issue. The newly developed KE 4 capsule is derived from the Broadway standard MKE 2, with improvements that provide a warm and distortion-free signal, even at high sound pressure levels. The included windshield is also a solid accessory, and a virtual must for recording outdoors. Purchasers should also be aware that the FCC is currently evaluating use of wireless microphone systems, and these rules are subject to change. If you have more room in your budget, the aforementioned $250 Rode VideoMic NTG is a shotgun-style mic that will zero in on the audio in front of the camera to an even more precise degree. Digitize your AV management workflow. MKE Essential Omni (Beige) The capsule's directionality is ideal for noisy environments—on-camera voices were recorded crisply and clearly, some voices off to the side were also captured with a reasonable amount of level, and anything behind the camera was dialed back in level significantly. The MKE 200 ships with a black furry windshield cover, and two coiled cables for smartphones (TRRS) and mirrorless and SLR cameras (TRS). We review products independently, but we may earn affiliate commissions from buying links on this page. Best Hosted Endpoint Protection and Security Software, The Best True Wireless Earbuds for Running, AirPod Alternatives: The Best True Wireless Earbuds for 2020, Works with cameras and mobile devices with 3.5mm connections. The MKE Essential Omni is available in black and beige. The connection for the microphone’s jack features a locking mechanism so the cable can't suddenly disconnect. We tested out the MKE 200 with a Canon EOS RP—you'll want to make sure to disable any audio DSP (digital signal processing)-type settings in your camera’s menu. Newly developed KE 4 capsule ensures high sound quality and warm nuances, Capacity to handle high sound levels for distortion-free reproduction in every application, Robust construction while simultaneously delicate and inconspicuous, Sweat-resistant thanks to patented umbrella diaphragm, Can be attached to head or body; diverse accessories for every type of attachment, SL Headmic 1 - Accessories - Wind Shield/ Case, CONSUMER ALERT FOR WIRELESS MICROPHONE SYSTEMS For its relatively low $100 price, the MKE 200 delivers solid value—you get a crisp, clear signal, even in noisy environments, and the mic is easy to use, even for those without much audio experience. A quiet recording is preferable to a distorted one, and overall levels can be addressed in mixing after recording. Meets high expectations even on smaller budgets Since you’ve disabled any DSP, you’ll also want lower levels to prevent distortion in the recording. Wind can enter this thing quite easily—true of nearly every mic, but especially true with this design. Of course, all cable connections are also designed for tensile strength. But at safe, low levels when no camera DSP is employed, the signal is clear, crisp, and perhaps a bit quiet if your subject isn’t loud. While it won’t add much to the overall weight, the MKE 2’s windshield is large, about as wide as the GoPro itself. The mic’s overall signal is crisp and clear, but you’ll want to experiment with distance from the camera/mic setup. Terms of use. MKE Essential Omni (Black, 3-Pin) Sennheiser’s roots are in pro-audio, and even its inexpensive, basic options show the manufacturer’s expertise. plus applicable sales tax – free shipping, Accessories for Switching the audio gain on the camera to manual, we set it to the middle level. Nevertheless, operating a microphone system without a license is subject to certain restrictions: the system may not cause harmful interference; it must operate at a low power level (not in excess of 50 milliwatts); and it has no protection from interference received from any other device. PCMag is obsessed with culture and tech, offering smart, spirited coverage of the products and innovations that shape our connected lives and the digital trends that keep us talking. A drawstring pouch is also included. If your subject is far enough, and you’re not in a noisy environment, you can dial up your camera's gain to a decent level before things distort.