Sennheiser ME2 or MKE2 Lapel mic

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Deniz Ahmet

The MKE2-EW is £151 currently - is it worth it?

Yes - it should be £285.

Originally Posted by Deniz Ahmet

My only interest is the sound quality and not the build/durability - can you please clarify in what aspects this is 'much better'. Is it a more open sound, more focussed etc... Thank you

It's a much higher quality mic. It's omni so it's nothing to do with being more open or more focussed - it'[s just a better mic. all round and includes protection against sweat and damp and does not break so easily.

It's like comparing a Mercedes with a Ford.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Chad Johnson

Why point the mic away from the mouth Paul? Is that to defeat plosives? I know an omni pattern is very wide, but I thought it was still better to point the ic at the mouth for the best pick-up.

Please share your tips, as I always want to do better. I record all day math seminars with lavs on the subject, and I want the pest placement with the least hassle.

The MKE 2 is so small that it is a true omni all round.

Pointing it down prevents plosives and nose noises getting straight into the capsule and causing overloads.

[David Knaggs]

Originally Posted by Chad Johnson

David I think the G3 is your best bang for your buck. Anything cheaper is going to have lots of interference/drop outs. I say just get the Sennheiser G3 with the plug on (you never know when that will come in handy), then pick up the COS-11D later. The ME-2 isn't horrible.

Thanks, Chad. I appreciate the advice.

[Colin McDonald]

Originally Posted by Andy Wilkinson

OK Paul, so now you've got me interested. I'm not over happy with the basic omni mic on the two Senny G2's kits I have (but like better the ME4 cardoid I bought as an addition, apart from it's size).

Sounds like I need to step up to one of these soon.

Suddenly everything went all blurred there for a minute and I when I came to I'd just bought one as well.
:-)

I've been using the ME-2 omni a lot for recording mixed instrumental groups and needed the convenience but with a better sound.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Colin McDonald

Suddenly everything went all blurred there for a minute and I when I came to I'd just bought one as well.
:-)

I've been using the ME-2 omni a lot for recording mixed instrumental groups and needed the convenience but with a better sound.

I would not say the ME 4 is better than the ME 2 - in fact I regard it as worse and would not normally advise using it unless you are plagued by feedback and really need the directivity.

[Colin McDonald]

Sorry that wasn't very clear - it's an MKE2-EW that I just bought as the price was too good to miss. I have no use for the ME 4 and don't have one, but I've been impressed how well the ME 2 does in a variety of uses.

[Andy Wilkinson]

I've found the ME 4 useful in certain situations on corporate shoots where the background noise is unavoidable and I need the directionality it has to try and isolate the speaker a bit better. Yes I know! - you'll say just find a nice quiet office etc. but in some companies those don't exist or the speaker needs to be in the environment he/she is describing. Anyway, I find it a useful addition in my kit.

[Andy Wilkinson]

Also, maybe here would be a good place to ask about this mic. I got it about 6 months ago with a second hand G2 kit but have n't really had time to establish this mics particular properties (which I do with all my gear before using them on any paying jobs). Just taken a couple of snaps of it (attached) and I'd be pleased to hear what you experts think it might be?

It would be great if it was a MKE2 but I suspect I'm not that lucky!

[John Willett]

It's definitely *not* an MKE 2 - much too large.

It's probably the ME 2-US.

[Rick Reineke]

Indeed, The ME-2 (US) I have is identical to the photo. (evil twin.)

[Andy Wilkinson]

OK, thanks to you both for identifying it so quickly. I'm assuming it's acoustic properties are going to be similar to the "normal" ME2 I have - i.e. adequate (rather than excellent) and an Omni.

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Andy Wilkinson

OK, thanks to you both for identifying it so quickly. I'm assuming it's acoustic properties are going to be similar to the "normal" ME2 I have - i.e. adequate (rather than excellent) and an Omni.

The ME 2-US is a nicer mic. than the ME 2 (ball-shape) normally supplied with the -p systems.

It's a good value for money mic. but the MKE 2 and MKE 1 are vastly better.

[Andy Wilkinson]

Thanks John. As always from you and many others on this section, very useful information.

[Colin McDonald]

And my thanks too, Deniz for flagging this up and John as always for authoritative advice.
My MKE2-EW arrived today - can't wait to try it out!

[Colin McDonald]

The MKE2-EW is one cracking little mic. I am impressed how it can handle (very) enthusiastic use of tom toms and still pick up all the zing of suspended cymbals and maracas right beside them. OK, I know it's a lavalier, but it can behave like an expensive studio mic when required.