The Sennheiser MKE 600 battery- or phantom-powered shotgun microphone has focused directional characteristics and resistance to structure-borne noise offer sonic results well suited to a variety of production scenarios from independent films and web series to nature shows and documentaries. The MKE 600's high sensitivity and low-noise circuitry unlock improved sound quality without extreme gain on noisy camera preamps. With a natural roll-off at 40 Hz and a selectable low-cut filter at 100 Hz, the MKE 600 can deliver clear intelligibility while attenuating low-frequency noise such as rumble. Plus, its frequency response incorporates a gentle rise in treble to enhance speech clarity. The lightweight and durable metal housing ensures reliable toughness without weighing down your rig. The included shoe shockmount accommodates mounting the MKE 600 to a camera or tripod. Connect the mic's XLR output to an XLR-equipped mic preamp or use the supplied adapter cable to plug it into the 3.5mm mic input on a camera. Quality Sound The Sennheiser MKE 600 is a highly effective shotgun microphone designed for capturing audio in challenging environments, especially when you need to isolate your subject from ambient noise. Its 10-inch length and use of an interference tube help it achieve a supercardioid/lobar polar pattern, which provides pronounced directivity on-axis. This means that sounds originating directly in front of the microphone are captured clearly, while sounds coming from the sides and rear are significantly attenuated.This design makes the MKE 600 ideal for applications such as film, video production, and field recording, where you need to focus on a distant audio source while minimizing background noise. In contrast to the omnidirectional microphones commonly found in consumer-grade cameras, which pick up sound equally from all directions, the MKE 600's focused pickup pattern ensures much better isolation and clarity for the intended audio source.Additionally, the MKE 600 offers features such as a low-cut filter to reduce low-frequency noise, a battery power option for situations where phantom power is not available, and a robust metal housing that ensures durability in various recording environments. These attributes combine to make the MKE 600 a versatile and reliable choice for professional audio capture. Bass Roll-Off The Sennheiser MKE 600 is a highly regarded shotgun microphone that is particularly popular for video recording and broadcasting. One of its key features is its ability to naturally attenuate sub-bass frequencies below 40 Hz. This helps to minimize the impact of very low-frequency sounds, which can often lead to an unnatural buildup of bass in your recordings.In addition to this natural attenuation, the MKE 600 also includes a switchable low-cut filter that can be activated to further reduce low-frequency noise. When engaged, this filter rolls off frequencies below 100 Hz, effectively reducing unwanted noise from common sources such as air conditioners, traffic, and other environmental hums. This can be particularly useful in noisy environments, ensuring that the primary audio remains clear and intelligible.To activate the low-cut filter, you'll typically find a switch on the microphone itself. Engaging this switch will enable the filter, allowing you to capture cleaner audio with reduced low-frequency interference. This feature is especially beneficial in situations where background noise is unavoidable, helping to ensure the highest quality recordings possible. Battery or Phantom Powered Thanks to its 3-pin XLR output and compliance with 48 VDC phantom powering, the MKE 600 is compatible with a variety of handheld audio recorders, field recorders, and mixer adapters, as well as built-in preamps on many camcorders and cinema cameras. When using devices that don't offer phantom power, the MKE 600 may optionally be powered for up to 150 hours by a single AA battery (available separately). Approximately 8 hours of operating time remain once the low-battery indicator lights up red. Use the on/off switch to prevent unnecessary battery drain. Ideal for Camera, Tripod, or Boompole Mounting Yes, the Sennheiser MKE 600 shotgun microphone is designed to be versatile for various recording setups. When you purchase the MKE 600, it typically includes a shoe shockmount, which makes it straightforward to mount on a camera or tripod. This is particularly useful for videographers and filmmakers who need a reliable and high-quality microphone directly attached to their camera rig.For more specialized recording situations, such as when using a boompole or microphone stand, you are recommended to use an additional shockmount. Specifically, the Rycote InVision INV-HG mkIII shockmount is suggested for this purpose. The Rycote shockmount is known for its excellent vibration isolation properties, which help to minimize the transmission of handling noise and vibrations from the boompole or mic stand to the microphone. This ensures cleaner audio recordings, making it ideal for professional field recording, interviews, and film production work.When using the Rycote InVision INV-HG mkIII shockmount, you can attach the MKE 600 securely and benefit from its superior shock absorption capabilities, providing you with high-quality audio capture in various recording environments. XLR to 3.5mm TRS Adapter Cable for Cameras Included with a MKE 600 is a short coiled adapter cable—XLR female to 3.5mm TRS male—that lets you connect the mic directly into a mini-jack mic input on a camera. Windscreen Minimizes Wind Noise The MKE 600 has a foam windscreen to reduce unwanted wind noise from breezes, fans, heaters, and air conditioners by up to 25 dB. Enhanced attenuation of wind noise is possible with the addition of an optional windshield such as the Rycote 15cm Super-Softie, which also provides high immunity to rain. For maximum reduction of handling noise and wind noise in indoor or outdoor environments, consider a complete windjammer, windshield, and shockmount suspension system such as the Rycote Super-Blimp NTG or the large Rycote Super-Shield Kit (both available separately).
