Sennheiser MKE 400
Instructions for use
Important safety information
Keep liquids (such as rain, etc.) away from the microphone!
Features
- Rugged all-metal housing
- Maximal rejection of side noise, designed for use on film and video cameras/camcorders
- Volume switch adjusts the sensitivity to cope with varying distances from the sound source
- Switchable low-cut filter minimizes wind noise
- More than 300 hours operating time (with only one AAA size battery)
- Integrated shock mount ensures effective suppression of handling and camera noise
Operating elements
- Microphone with removable windshield
- "vol" switch
- "batt" LED
- "on/off" switch
- Flashmount adapter with mounting thread
- Knurled washer
- Battery compartment catch
Diagram of the microphone showing the operating elements labeled 1 through 7. Element 1 is the microphone body with windshield. Element 2 is the "vol" switch. Element 3 is the "batt" LED indicator. Element 4 is the "on/off" switch. Element 5 is the flashmount adapter. Element 6 is the knurled washer for mounting. Element 7 is the battery compartment catch.
Delivery includes
- 1 MKE 400 camera/camcorder microphone with connection cable (3.5 mm stereo jack plug)
- 1 AAA size battery
- 1 foam windshield
Inserting/replacing the battery
If the battery voltage is sufficient, the "batt" LED 3 flashes briefly when you switch on the microphone. A new, unused battery has an operating time of approx. 300 hours.
When the battery voltage decreases, the "batt" LED 3 lights up permanently. You should replace the battery. When the "batt" LED 3 lights up permanently for the first time, the remaining operating time is approx. 50 hours.
Note: When not using the microphone for extended periods of time, remove the battery from the battery compartment!
To insert or replace the battery:
- Push the catch of the battery compartment 7 in the direction of the flashmount adapter and open the battery compartment.
- Insert the AAA size battery as shown in the diagram on the right. Observe correct polarity when inserting the battery.
- Close the battery compartment until the catch 7 locks into place.
Diagram showing the battery compartment opening and the correct insertion of an AAA battery, noting polarity. An arrow indicates pushing the catch (7) towards the adapter to open.
Putting the microphone into operation
- Slide the microphone onto the video camera's flashmount and lock the microphone by screwing down the knurled washer 6.
- Insert the 3.5 mm stereo jack plug into the microphone input socket of the video camera.
Switching the microphone on
Switch the microphone on by setting the "on/off" switch 4 to one of the two positions:
| "on/off" | Setting |
|---|---|
on off [Diagram: Switch in 'on' position] | switched on (linear frequency response) |
on off [Diagram: Switch in 'on' position] | switched on (low-cut filter is activated for minimizing wind noise) |
On switch-on, the "batt" LED 3 flashes briefly, indicating that the battery is operational.
Note: When you have finished using the microphone, it is vital that you switch it off by setting the "on/off" switch 4 to the "off" position!
Adjusting microphone sensitivity
Adjust the microphone sensitivity to the volume of the sound source and to the input sensitivity of the camera/camcorder by setting the "vol" switch 2 to the correct position:
| "vol" | Setting |
|---|---|
vol [Diagram: Switch in '-' position] | Normal sensitivity: for normal or very loud sound sources and cameras/camcorders with high input sensitivity |
vol + [Diagram: Switch in '+' position] | High sensitivity: for extremely quiet or very distant sound sources and cameras/camcorders with low input sensitivity |
Specifications
| "vol" switch in position – | "vol" switch in position + | |
|---|---|---|
| Dimensions (W x H x D) | approx. 130 x 21 x 62 mm | |
| Weight (without battery) | approx. 60 g | |
| Pick-up pattern | super-cardioid/lobar | |
| Frequency response | 40 Hz to 20 kHz with and without windshield | |
| Sensitivity | 8 mV/Pa | 20 mV/Pa |
| Max. sound pressure level | 126 dB | 118 dB |
| Equivalent noise level | 21 dB (A), 32 dB (CCIR) | 16 dB (A), 25 dB (CCIR) |
| Power supply | 1.5 V AAA size battery | |
| Operating time | approx. 300 hours | |
| Helical cable | length: approx. 200 mm, diameter: 2.3 mm, with 3.5 mm stereo jack plug | |
Recommended accessory
Professional accessory kit MZW 400 including hairy cover and 3-pin XLR adapter
Manufacturer declarations
Warranty
2 years
Approval
CE Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG declare that this device is in compliance with the applicable CE standards and regulations.
Batteries or rechargeable batteries
[♻️ Battery Disposal] Please dispose of batteries or rechargeable batteries as special waste or return them to your specialist dealer.
WEEE Declaration
[♻️ WEEE Disposal] Please dispose of this product at the end of its operational lifetime by bringing it to your local collection point or recycling centre for such equipment.
Frequency Response and Polar Pattern
Frequency Response Graph: A line graph displays frequency response in dBv on the y-axis (ranging from -20 to -70 dBv) against frequency in Hz on the x-axis (ranging from 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz). A solid line indicates the response with the windshield, and a dotted line represents the response with the low-cut filter activated.
Polar Pattern Graph: A polar plot illustrates the microphone's directional characteristics. The radial axis represents sensitivity in dB, and the angular axis represents direction in degrees. Different line styles (solid, dashed, dotted) represent the pickup patterns for various frequencies: 125-1000 Hz (solid), 2000 Hz (dashed), 4000 Hz (dotted), 8000 Hz (dash-dot), and 16000 Hz (long dash).
Contact Information
Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
30900 Wedemark, Germany
Phone +49 (5130) 600 0
Fax +49 (5130) 600 300
www.sennheiser.com
Printed in Germany
