NAB 2018: Sennheiser Introduces New Mic Range, Wireless System
At NAB 2018, Sennheiser unveiled the “Essential” range of headset and lavalier microphones as well as the evolution wireless portable systems, which made their respective debuts at the event.
New Sennheiser Essential Headset, Lavalier Microphones Close The Gap
These microphone solutions close the gap between the company’s high-end solutions for broadcast, music and theatre and the microphones supplied with its best-selling evolution wireless series. Available from July 2018, the microphones connect to bodypack transmitters with 3-pin and 3.5 mm jack connectors, and are an ideal choice for houses of worship, smaller broadcasting companies, the education sector, corporate customers and small and medium-sized theatres.
“As its name suggests, the Essential range brings the accepted core acoustics of the HSP 2 and MKE 2 to a new audience at an attractive price,” says Jannik Schentek, product manager at Sennheiser. “The microphones are uncomplicated in use and facilitate quick handling.”
HSP Essential Omni Headset Microphone
The HSP Essential Omni features an omni-directional capsule and an elegant stainless-steel headband that easily adjusts to accommodate a wide range of head sizes. Available in black and beige, the HSP Essential Omni offers customers a choice of a 3.5 mm jack connector for use with XS Wireless and evolution wireless, or a 3-pin connector for professional wireless series from 2000 through to Digital 9000. The 1.3 m cable is firmly attached to the headset and will not get lost in the hectic of an event. A pop windshield is included.
MKE Essential Omni Lavalier Microphone
The MKE Essential Omni is also available in black and beige and comes with either a 3-pin or 3.5 mm jack connector. The omni-directional lavalier microphone is supplied with a crocodile clip and a pop windshield, but can also be used with the range of MKE 2 mounting accessories. Cable length is 1.6 m to accommodate different wearing styles, from concealing the microphone along the hairline for a theatrical performance to standard broadcast use as a lapel microphone.
Sennheiser’s Evolution Wireless G4 Takes Wireless Camera Audio Further
Sennheiser’s evolution wireless portable systems are available now in a new fourth generation. Videographers will not only find the latest version of their much loved ew 100-p series, they will also discover a brand-new ew 500-p series, designed to further professionalize film work. The new G4 series is fully compatible with all previous evolution wireless generations, safeguarding any earlier investments.
“We are pleased to expand evolution wireless G4 with a highly professional camera series for ENG, film work, reporting and content creation,” says Dennis Stegemerten, product manager for evolution wireless G4. “The new ew 500-p series features exciting set components such as the MKE 2 lavalier mic, which has been the professional’s choice for decades.”
The EW 100-P/500-P Systems At A Glance
The ew 100-p G4 series includes the ew 135-p G4 Portable Handheld Set, two Portable Lavalier Sets, the ew 112-p G4 (omni) and ew 122-p G4 (cardioid), as well as the ew 100 G4 ENG Combo Set, which offers both plug-on and bodypack transmitters with an omni-directional ME 2-II clip-on microphone.
Complementing the ew 100-p sets are the brand-new ew 500-p series professional sets for ENG and film work. Systems include the ew 512-p G4 Pro portable lavalier mic set (with camera receiver, bodypack transmitter, professional MKE 2 lavalier mic and various accessories), the ew 500 BOOM G4 Pro portable boom set (with camera receiver, phantom power equipped plug-on transmitter and accessories) and finally the ew 500 FILM G4 Combo Set, which includes both bodypack and plug-on transmitters, MKE 2 lavalier mic, camera receiver and accessories.
The user interface of the ew 100-p series allows even faster set-up and control on site; up to 12 compatible frequencies ensure multi-system use. Furthermore, the housing of the SKM 100 G4 handheld is now made of lighter weight aluminum – a benefit in long interviews.
Compared to the ew 100-p series, the ew 500-p systems operate with a higher switching bandwidth of up to 88 MHz (compared to 42 MHz) offering a higher channel count and easier channel allocation in congested RF environments. Additionally, the ew 500-p systems offer higher power for longer reach: output power can now be selected in three steps of 10, 30 or 50 mW, while the ew 100-p systems offer up to 30 mW of output power.
The lavalier mic included in the ew 512-p G4 and ew 500 FILM G4 sets is the broadcast standard MKE 2. Moreover, the ew 500-p housings are less sensitive to moisture, thus withstanding rougher outdoor use. Unlike the SKP 100 G4, which can only be used with dynamic microphones, the SKP 500 G4 also features phantom power and can therefore be used with any type of microphone, including condenser mics.
All ew 100-p and ew 500-p components are also available separately, so that users can tailor-make their best evolution camera system. For example, they can choose their favorite handheld to go with the EK 500 G4 camera receiver – or they can add the new SKP 500 G4 plug-on transmitter to their existing ew 100-p system, benefitting from the compatibility between the different evolution wireless series.