Sennheiser Evolution e865 Handheld Condenser Microphone


Sennheiser Evolution e865 Handheld Condenser Microphone
by
	Go To Music Biz Magazine Directory

Over the last few years there has been an explosion of new studio microphones on the market. There are now tube microphones for under a $1,000 and great sounding large diaphragm condenser mics for as little as a few hundred dollars. However, live sound has been another story with most live events still relying on the same traditional handheld vocal mics. Sennheiser has stepped up to the plate with the Evolution series e865 handheld vocal mic; and they have definitely hit a home run!

A little longer than the typical silver ball mic, the e865 has a dark, blue-steel colored metal body with a black metal windscreen giving the e865 an elegantly professional look and feel. A notable distinction is that, unlike dynamic mics, this is an electret condenser and requires phantom powering from the mixer. The main advantages of condensers over dynamics are: sensitivity, dynamic range and smooth frequency response. Like some dynamic handhelds, the e865 has a bulletproof, heavy duty design that proved to be very durable. The pickup pattern is super-cardioid; offering excellent feedback rejection and isolation from stage monitors and other nearby sound sources. Sennheiser's instruction manual shows a frequency response favoring vocals with flat response from 150Hz to 3 kHz where the output starts to gradually rise to a 5dB plateau from 5kHz to 7kHz and then begins rolling off just before 20kHz. The bass rolls off gently from 150Hz to about 40Hz, eliminating most rumble and plosive pops. Sennheiser rates the max SPL (Sound Pressure Level) handling ability of the mic at 150dB! Hopefully, you will never have to amplify anything that loud near you!

I had the opportunity to use the mic in several situations. In the rehearsal studio, the mic had considerably more output level than the stock dynamic mic the rehearsal studio provided. The mic sounded very natural through the floor wedges and showed good feedback rejection in the small, bright sounding rehearsal room. At a live gig, I had the good fortune of having an excellent sounding PA and the mic helped both my female singer and a male rapper stand out better. In the studio, I placed the mic along side my utility large diaphragm vocal mic I use for female singers on R&B sessions. Even though the e865 required about 10 dB more gain than the studio condenser, there was no problem with noise buildup. The Sennheiser sounded very pleasant, only not quite as "airy" and present as the studio mic. I did the final mix using the background vocal tracks from the e865 and the results were very good. I used the Sennheiser for recording congas, along with some trusty Shure SM57s. The e865 had much more level than the dynamic mics and sounded very natural and full so I could tell that this mic would sound very good on percussion and horns, both on stage and in the studio.

Any professional vocalist should invest in a mic they can take with them to be assured of quality reproduction. Complete with zipper pouch and mic clip and a suggested retail price of $399 MSRP, the Sennheiser e865 is an excellent choice for anybody who needs a great sounding vocal mic that can also pitch in for many other duties. For more information, contact Sennheiser at 1 Enterprise Drive, Old Lyme, CT 06371. Call them at: 860-434-9190 or Fax: 860-434-1759. Web to: www.sennheiserusa.com

Adam Kagan is a Los Angeles-based engineer/producer and partner in Old Skool Productions.

Edited by: Barry Rudolph

Back To Home Page