sE Electronics sE4400 Multi-pattern Condenser Microphone
sE Electronics sE4400 Multi-pattern Condenser Microphone
Manufacturer: sE Electronics
Review Date: 3/16/2018
MSRP: $499
Rating:
Over-all Impression: You might think its an AKG 414, but its not, and, it sounds just as good, as well as having all the same features of 414!
Home Studio Master Overview
At around $499, with the sE Electronics sE 4400a, you get what you pay for and more!
The sE 4400 is certainly stacked with lots of options. Unlike the 2200a, the 4400a has not one, but two capsules, which allows for a variety of pick up patterns. Cardioid, Hyper-cardioid, Figure of 8 and Omni are all available from the switches on the microphone’s body, which means that this mic has the ability to recording pretty much anything you want. Voice Over, a concerto and a two sided interview.
It also has two bass roll-off options at either 60Hz or 120Hz, while there are also two pad options for automatic gain reduction at 10 and 20dB respectively.
The mic capsule itself has twin diaphragms that are a full one-inch in size. All of these functions are built into the recognizable flat-design which suggests the classic and venerable AKG 414. All of which makes it rather a surprise that the 4400a is so small. Could this little microphone, despite its feature-packed body, possibly deliver a big sound? It sure does
Mic Sound For Voice Over
The sound of sE mics is hard to define.The best way is to say it’s transparent and natural, and I can say is that the 4400a delivers on sE’s tradition beautifully. It doesn’t unnaturally color voice over recordings, but the sound is clear and tight and does what vocal recordings really need to do – leave you with a result that will respond well to any EQ and compression treatment the engineers at the other end will appreciate.
Summary
If you’re searching for a single microphone to carry out all of your recording tasks, the 4400a is definitely more than up to the job.
sE’s reputation will be further enhanced with this model and deservedly so, for here is a multi-function mic which performs fabulously without a lot of configuring.
Specifications
Frequency Response: 20Hz-20KHz
Sensitivity: 14.1mv/pa-34 ± 1dB
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Figure 8, Omni, Super-Cardioid
Impedance: ≤ 50 Ohms
Equivalent Noise Level: 17dB(A weighted)
Max SPL for 0.5% THD@1000Hz: 130dB
Power Requirement: Phantom power 48V±4V
Connector: 3-pin