Sennheiser MKE 600 Shotgun Microphone - 505453

Product Overview

The Sennheiser MKE 600 is a professional-grade shotgun microphone engineered for ENG, documentary, broadcast, and narrative film production. Its supercardioid/lobar polar pattern delivers tight, focused directivity that isolates your subject from background noise — making it significantly more effective than the omnidirectional mics built into most cameras. The MKE 600 can be mounted directly to a camera shoe or operated on a boom pole, giving production teams the flexibility to cover a wide range of shooting scenarios. With battery or phantom power operation, a built-in switchable low-cut filter, and an included XLR-to-3.5mm adapter cable, the MKE 600 is ready to work with nearly any camera, recorder, or mixer in the field.

Product Description

At 10 inches in length, the MKE 600 uses an interference tube design to achieve its narrow supercardioid/lobar pickup pattern. Sound entering from the sides and rear is significantly attenuated, while on-axis audio is captured with high sensitivity and natural clarity. This directional behavior makes the MKE 600 especially effective for boom operators working at a distance from the subject, or for camera operators who need to isolate a speaker from a noisy environment.

The MKE 600's high-sensitivity, low-noise circuitry produces clean audio even when driving the noisy preamps found in consumer and prosumer cameras. A natural roll-off below 40 Hz prevents unnatural bass buildup, and the selectable low-cut filter at 100 Hz allows operators to further reduce rumble from air conditioners, traffic, and other low-frequency environmental noise. The frequency response includes a gentle presence rise in the upper midrange to enhance speech clarity and intelligibility — a common requirement in dialogue-heavy productions.

The MKE 600 outputs via a standard 3-pin XLR connector and is compatible with 48V phantom power, giving it wide compatibility with professional recorders, field mixers, and camera-mount preamps. For cameras with only a 3.5mm mic input, the included XLR-to-3.5mm TRS coiled adapter cable allows direct connection. When phantom power is unavailable, a single AA battery powers the mic for up to 150 hours, with a low-battery LED indicator alerting you when approximately 8 hours remain. The lightweight, durable metal housing keeps the total rig weight manageable for handheld and boom operation alike.

Key Features

• Supercardioid/Lobar Pickup Pattern — Interference tube design provides tight, focused directivity for effective subject isolation in noisy environments.
• High Sensitivity, Low-Noise Circuit — Delivers clean audio even through noisy camera preamps without requiring excessive gain.
• Switchable 100 Hz Low-Cut Filter — Reduces rumble from HVAC, traffic, and other low-frequency ambient sources on demand.
• Natural 40 Hz Roll-Off — Prevents unnatural bass buildup without activating the full low-cut filter.
• Battery or Phantom Power — Runs on a single AA battery (up to 150 hrs) or 48V phantom power for compatibility with virtually any audio device.
• Low-Battery LED Indicator — Alerts you when approximately 8 hours of battery life remain, preventing unexpected failures on set.
• 3-Pin XLR Output — Professional balanced output for direct connection to recorders, mixers, and camera-mount preamps.
• Included XLR-to-3.5mm Adapter Cable — Connects directly to the mini-jack mic input on cameras without a separate purchase.
• Included Camera Shoe Shockmount — Mounts securely to a camera or tripod and reduces vibration transfer to the capsule.
• Included Foam Windscreen — Attenuates wind noise by up to 25 dB for light outdoor shooting.
• Lightweight Metal Housing — Durable enough for demanding production use without adding significant weight to boom or camera rigs.

Typical Applications

• ENG (Electronic News Gathering) and broadcast field production
• Documentary and reality television production
• Independent narrative film and web series
• Boom pole operation for dialogue capture
• Camera-top mounting for run-and-gun video production
• Nature and wildlife audio capture
• Corporate video and interview production

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the difference between the MKE 600 and the MKE 440?

The MKE 440 is a stereo camera-mount microphone with an XY dual-capsule design, optimized for DSLR and mirrorless cameras via a 3.5mm output. The MKE 600 is a mono shotgun with a supercardioid/lobar pattern and XLR output, designed for boom pole use and professional production workflows requiring tight, directional dialogue capture.

Q: Can the MKE 600 be used on a boom pole?

Yes, and this is one of its primary use cases. To mount it on a boom pole or mic stand, you will need a compatible shockmount such as the Rycote InVision INV-HG mkIII (available separately), which also reduces vibration transfer between the pole and the capsule.

Q: How long does the battery last?

A single AA battery powers the MKE 600 for up to 150 hours of continuous use. The built-in LED indicator turns red when approximately 8 hours of battery life remain, giving you ample warning to swap batteries before a shoot.

Q: Does the MKE 600 work with cameras that only have a 3.5mm input?

Yes. The MKE 600 includes a coiled XLR-to-3.5mm TRS adapter cable that lets you plug directly into the mini-jack mic input on a DSLR, mirrorless camera, or compact video camera.

Q: What is the switchable low-cut filter for?

The 100 Hz switchable low-cut filter rolls off low-frequency noise from common environmental sources like air conditioning, traffic, and HVAC rumble. Activating it in noisy locations helps keep dialogue clean and intelligible without post-processing.

Q: Is the included windscreen sufficient for outdoor use?

The included foam windscreen reduces wind noise by up to 25 dB and is suitable for light outdoor conditions such as light breezes. For stronger wind or outdoor boom operation, an aftermarket windjammer or full blimp system (such as a Rycote Super-Blimp) is recommended for maximum protection.

Q: Is the MKE 600 compatible with 48V phantom power mixers and recorders?

Yes. The MKE 600's XLR output is fully compatible with 48V phantom power from professional field mixers, recorders, and camera-mount preamps, eliminating the need for batteries when used with professional audio equipment.