Sennheiser MKE-2 – A Waterproof Microphone solution for GoPro Hero4 Camera

by Nic DivischekMay 1^st, 2017

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NAB 2017 saw the introduction of the Sennheiser MKE-2 Elements waterproof microphone for GoPro Hero 4 Action Camera. Curious as to how it is possible to make an waterproof external microphone for a GoPro? Read on for all the details! 

Sennheiser microphones have proven to be one of the leading standards for audio recording, and now they are tackling the lack of good-quality audio for small action cameras, such as the GoPro Hero4. When a GoPro is housed in the waterproof casing, the audio suffers and sounds muffled, but the new  Sennheiser MKE-2 Elements waterproof microphone aims to guarantee better audio even in the most action-packed sequences.

As Achim from Sennheiser describes it, the development of an external audio solution like this proved challenging as the camera itself is kept completely sealed in its housing. Situating the microphone outside of the sealed compartment, your are exposing it to dirt, dust, snow, ice and of course water, so obviously a waterproof solution had to be implemented. Sennheiser took their “sweat-proof” stage application technology one step forward, and created this “waterproof” solution.

Here is a great “side-by-side” example, between GoPro’s internal microphone capabilities against the  Sennheiser MKE-2 Elements:

The unit is built into its own backdoor casing for the GoPro housing which accommodates the battery-extension from GoPro, it plugs right into the GoPro’s USB port and the audio is controlled by GoPro’s auto-level functions. The microphone itself is suspended on a soft mount to reduce rumbling noise and is covered by its very own waterproof windshield. The Sennheiser MKE-2 Element is waterproof up to 1m for approximately 30 minutes.

Sennheiser MKE-2 Elements for GoPro Hero 4 is available now for $199.95. Sennheiser is also working on a GoPro HERO 5 solution, but pricing and availability for that product are yet to be announced.

What do you think of the Sennheiser MKE-2 Elements? Would you use it to improve your GoPro’s audio? Please let us know in the comments below.