Sennheiser Lav Connection

KREEDMAN

KREEDMAN

Active member
Hi guys,

An ad describes the Sennheiser MKE2 mic connector as:

3 Pin Lemo (Sennheiser)

I am aware that these are usually used in Senn wireless systems. What is the best way to connect them to XLR? Re-wire? Are there any adapters?

Thanks
 
I just bought a couple of these of ebay which is where i think most people are getting them for unbelievably cheap. I'd also like to know if there is a store that sells adapters for these to hook up via xlr but preferably to a 1/8" TRS connector for the G2 system. Even a store that sells just the 1/8" TRS lockable connectors would be nice as I've searched everywhere for a store that ships to Australia.
 
The MKE 2 is available in about 20 different versions.

The -4 version, as you say, has the 3-pin special Lemo connector for connecting to a Sennheiser 3000 or 5000 series radio system.

If you already have this version get the MZA 900-4. This is a small adaptor that has a 3-pin special Lemo socket at one end and an XLR-3M at the other. Inside is a pcb that balances the microphone and converts 12-48V phantom power into the 5V plug-in power that the mic. needs.

An alternative way is to get the MKE 2-ew - this has the 3.5mm lockable mini-jack for the evolution G2 radio systems. With this you use the MZA 900P converter - this is the same as above but has a lockable mini-jack socket instead of the 3-pin special Lemo.


MZA900P_ProductImage.jpg


There *are* other options - you could get the MKE 2-60 and the K6 powering module. This option gives you the flexibility of changing heads.

There is also the MKE 2P - this is a phantom powered version and comes complete with XLR.

All versions available in either black or beige, of course.

And don't forget the MZ 2 accessory kit - this has the clips and windshields and is needed for every version of the MKE 2 with the exception of the ew version that comes with the windshield and tie clip.

I hope this helps.
 
bimdas said:
I just bought a couple of these of ebay which is where i think most people are getting them for unbelievably cheap. I'd also like to know if there is a store that sells adapters for these to hook up via xlr but preferably to a 1/8" TRS connector for the G2 system. Even a store that sells just the 1/8" TRS lockable connectors would be nice as I've searched everywhere for a store that ships to Australia.
Click to expand...

See my post above for the answer.

But you *must* use the proper adaptor - if you just connect an XLR you will damage the mic.

The MKE 2 is an unbalanced tie mic. for radio systems - to use it wire-bound you need the MZA 900 wich has the internal pcb to balance the mic. and convert phantom into the correct voltage the mic. needs.
 
thanks for the helpful answers john. Would you know where to buy just the 1/8" lockable connector? I'd like to wire one of the mke-2 for use with my ew100 g2. Preferably a place that ships to Australia.

thanks again.
 
bimdas said:
thanks for the helpful answers John. Would you know where to buy just the 1/8" lockable connector? I'd like to wire one of the mke-2 for use with my ew100 g2. Preferably a place that ships to Australia.
Click to expand...

You should be able to get it from Syntec - the Sennheiser distributor in Australia.

Canford Audio in the UK also have them.

I hope this helps.
 
Thanks John!

So the MKE2 takes 5V not 48V phantom power?

What about rewiring? Bad option?

Say I want to use the MKE2 with a portable recorder (Zoom H4/M-Audio microtrack/Marantz etc.) What is my best option to connect to these devices?
 
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KREEDMAN said:
Thanks John!

So the MKE2 takes 5V not 48V phantom power?
Click to expand...

Yes - the same as almost every other miniature tie mic..



KREEDMAN said:
What about rewiring? Bad option?

Say I want to use the MKE2 with a portable recorder (Zoom H4/M-Audio microtrack/Marantz etc.) What is my best option to connect to these devices?
Click to expand...

It depends on if you already have the mic. or not.

If you already have the mic. the only option is to use the MZA 900-4 as I suggested earlier and use phantom power.

If you don't already have the mic. then the MKE 2-60 with the K6 is probably the best option as the K6 takes a battery to power the mic (and it can also be phantom powered as well).

I hope this helps.
 
KREEDMAN said:
GREAT!! Would these work with the M-Audio micro track and/or Zoom H2?
Click to expand...

No.

Let's start again...........................

The MKE 2 is a miniature tie microphone designed for a radio transmitter. Like all this type of microphones it is unbalanced and uses plug-in power of around 5V.

It will connect directly to a radio transmitter.

If you change the plug it is still only suitable for a radio transmitter and plug-in power.

If you want to plug it into a normal mic. input, you need to balance the microphone and make it suitable for phantom power.

This is what the MZA 900P and MZA 900-4 do (and the K6 does for the MKE 2-60 version).

If you want a wirebound MKE 2 the *only* options are:-
  • MKE 2P (mic. with XLR, phantom powered)
  • MKE 2-60 + K6(mic. with K6 series connector - K6 is battery or phantom powered)
  • MKE 2-ew + MZA 900P(evolution version mic. with adaptor to phantom power)
  • MKE 2-4 + MZA 900-4(3000/5000 version mic. with adaptor to phantom power)
.
 
Kreedman - from your posting in the AKG shotgun thread - I think the best option for you is the MKE 2-60 with the K6. Add an ME66 gun head and you have a mic. that will do both jobs for you - just swap over the MKE 2-60 and ME66 on the K6 as required.

If you already have the MKE 2-4 with the 3-pin special Lemo, ask your local Sennheiser agent if they can swap the connector over to the K6 series one.

I hope this helps.
 
WOW!
Thanks John. I was a little slow to understand. I'm learning :)

Pedro, That is great news. Where can I find these adapters? Can I find them online?

Thanks guys! big help.
 
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