The new Sennheisser MKE-400 mic arrived today.

Smaller than I was expecting, it is really the right mic for a Domke bag pocket. Having the stabiliser and wind suppressor inside the mic cage or “blimp” is brilliant. Even a little Boya or Neewer pencil shotgun, once you add a rycote and fluffy is a little big and fragile for my bag pocket, but this one, a mic of a different level, is ideal.

The forward facing cable is inspired, although mine crackles a little on the camera end (still need to check what the culprit is). This allows the shooter to use the camera to the eye, a mirrorless advantage, without cables sticking into their forhead and I am guessing reduces cable snagging and clutter.

It may not be a versatile as the F1+SSH-6 combo, but it is at least 50% smaller and removes the fragility and/or excessive ware and tare of constant disassembly.

In use on a G9.

Used to Zoom analogue dial gain controls, a three option switch was a bit more of an adjustment than I guessed. On neutral or flat gain, the G9’s mic volume needs to be set at about +0 db or more (tested against music played at talking volume), but with the +20 db high setting applied, it works best at about -6 db or less.

When the music peaked on the high gain setting, it blew out quickly, but was still loud-comfortable to the ear.

So, outdoors or at some distance, high gain with -6db is a good start, inside, closer or with good subject volume to work with, normal gain and +0 is the go.

There is audible background noise at the high setting, but it is in balance with the gain in volume applied. In other words, if you need it, use it and it will likely go unnoticed, but if you are in a quiet space, use the normal setting and get closer if you need, or in the case of the G9, turn the camera volume up, because it is not too bad by comparison.

Quality was very nice, about the same as the SSH-6.

I will be using this in conjunction with a Boya M-1 LAV (when room echo is an issue) and H1n Zoom (wider coverage and ambient sound), so I will have options at hand, but the whole kit still comes in under the Zoom kit above (basically a Domke bag pocket full).