Sennheiser MKE 1-4 Lavalier Microphone (Black, 3-pin)

Sennheiser MKE 1-4 Lavalier Microphone (Black, 3-pin)

The Sennheiser MKE 1 is Sennheiser’s smallest clip-on microphone — a 3.3 mm capsule built for situations where the microphone must be virtually invisible while delivering broadcast-grade sound: musicals, live shows, theatre and television. The prepolarised condenser capsule is omnidirectional with a frequency response of 20 to 20,000 Hz (plus/minus 2.5 dB), high speech intelligibility and a full, natural sound with low ambient pickup. Despite its size, it handles a maximum sound pressure level of 142 dB, so it will not distort on loud theatrical voices or close-miked performers.

Live reliability is engineered in. A protective membrane makes the capsule highly sweat-resistant, the included multi-purpose cap adds further moisture protection, and the 1 mm cable is Kevlar-reinforced with a moulded anti-kink sleeve to minimise handling noise — thin enough to hide under wardrobe, yet robust enough for daily professional use. The microphone itself weighs just 0.1 g, without cable and connector. This -4 variant is finished in black and terminates in a 3-pin SE special connector on a 1.6 m cable, for Sennheiser SK-series professional bodypack transmitters.

Key Features

• Sennheiser’s smallest lavalier — 3.3 mm capsule diameter
• Omnidirectional prepolarised condenser capsule
• Frequency response 20 to 20,000 Hz (plus/minus 2.5 dB)
• Maximum SPL 142 dB — handles loud stage voices without distortion
• Sweat-resistant protective membrane and moisture caps
• 1 mm Kevlar-reinforced cable with anti-kink sleeve, low handling noise
• 3-pin SE connector, 1.6 m cable, for SK-series professional bodypacks
• Very high speech intelligibility with clear, pleasant treble

Concealment and the two caps

Two frequency response caps are supplied: the small MZC 1-1 and the larger MZC 1-2 multi-purpose cap, which also shields the sound inlet from sweat droplets and acts as a light windshield. Three make-up protection caps are included for theatre work, and flexible tubes allow attachment with clips or adhesive tape on skin or costume. The capsule can sit in a hairline, under a collar or behind a button and still sound open, because the omnidirectional pattern has no proximity effect and does not change tone when the wearer turns their head.

Compatibility note

The 3-pin SE connector fits Sennheiser’s professional bodypack transmitters listed in the specifications on this page. It does not plug directly into evolution wireless (EW) transmitters — those use the MKE 1 EW variant with a 3.5 mm jack. Confirm your transmitter model matches the connector before relying on this variant.

Where it fits

Theatre, musicals, broadcast studios, houses of worship and film and TV production where the microphone must disappear against skin or costume while dialogue stays clear at a distance. Sound departments choose the MKE 1 when a larger lavalier would catch the light, show through thin fabrics, or distract the camera in close-up. Full technical specifications are listed in the Additional Information tab on this page.