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Thanks to your smartphone, it’s never been easier to start creating videos.
The camera in your phone might be great, but the audio still leaves something to be desired.
The MKE 200 Mobile Kit, as the name implies, offers more than a microphone.
Kris Wouk / How-To Geek
The question is: did Sennheiser take on too much with this kit?
Who Is the MKE 200 Mobile Kit For?
Audio is key when it comes to professional quality video.
Kris Wouk / How-To Geek
The Sennheiser MKE 200 Mobile Kit is the perfect first upgrade for your video gear.
What’s in the Kit?
The main feature of the kit is the MKE 200 shotgun microphone.
Kris Wouk / How-To Geek
If you’re interested in the microphone but not the kit, the microphone issold separately.
The tripod is simple, but it does feature an adjustable ball head.
The smartphone mount is Sennheiser branded.
Kris Wouk / How-To Geek
Sennheiser’s MKE 200 microphone is built out of aluminum, so it’s tough but also surprisingly lightweight.
While theManfrotto PIXI Mini Tripodis mostly plastic, it feels strong.
For use with a smartphone, the tripod is sturdy enough to hold at any angle.
Kris Wouk / How-To Geek
Similar to the microphone itself, the smartphone mount is made out of solid aluminum, making it stable.
The mount is on a swivel, letting you orient your phone to portrait or landscape mode.
An adjustable control lets you lock the mount at any angle.
Kris Wouk / How-To Geek
Sennheiser included a smart idea with the cables and the microphone.
This secures the cable and prevents it from ripping out while you’re recording.
The only aspect of the package that seemed somewhat off was the windscreen.
Kris Wouk / How-To Geek
No matter how I tried to attach it, it never felt properly seated on the microphone.
Both of these cables are coiled to offer flexibility without cables hanging from your phone or camera.
The only problem is that both cables are the same blue color.
Kris Wouk / How-To Geek
The majority of phones these days are getting rid of the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Sennheiser doesn’t include a 3.5mm toUSB-Cadapter or a 3.5mm to Lightning adapter in the box.
Once your phone is in place, you could use the switch to secure it.
Kris Wouk / How-To Geek
The lightweight nature of the tripod is useful if you’re looking to do some handheld shooting.
That said, the tripod will be handy as a light, portable alternative to full-size options.
Finally, unlike some mobile mics, there is no app or software bundle.
While the microphone is directional, it doesn’t sound as directional as some other shotgun-style mics.
This isn’t a bad thing, it’s just worth knowing.
Related:What Is a Supercardioid Microphone?
Smartphone mics have come a long way, especially up close.
At a distance is where you’ll start to lose sound quality.
In an untreated room, you’ll want to stay within around five feet for the best sound.
Outside, this is less of a consideration.
The microphone has a built-in shock mount that does a good job of minimizing handling noise.
This is good if you plan to use the included tripod for handheld videos.
Of course, if you drop or jostle the tripod too much, the mic will pick it up.
When it comes to wind noise, the included windscreen does a good job of reducing it.
Add the smartphone mount and tripod, and it’s a better value for a similar price.
