Sennheiser ME 4-N Electret Cardioid Lapel Microphone, For SK 100/300/500

Sennheiser ME 4-N Electret Cardioid Lapel Microphone

The Sennheiser ME 4-N (Official Article Number: 005020) is a professional sub-miniature electret condenser lavalier microphone engineered specifically for spoken-word applications on live stages, in presentation rooms, and during broadcast events. Featuring a directional cardioid polar pattern, this microphone is purpose-built to deliver clean speech intelligibility and maximum gain-before-feedback in environments with high ambient noise or live stage monitors.

The "N" designation (and its modern derivative) indicates its integration configuration: an attached 1.6-meter cable terminated with a 3.5 mm screw-locking mini-jack connector. This wiring configuration provides native compatibility with Sennheiser's evolution wireless bodypack transmitter series (including the SK 100, SK 300, and SK 500 lines across G1, G2, G3, G4, and EW-D/EW-DX generations).

Key Acoustic and Mechanical Attributes

• Feedback-Rejecting Cardioid Pattern: Unlike common omnidirectional lavaliers that pick up sound uniformly from all directions, the cardioid pickup field focuses on the speaker's chest and mouth while rejecting off-axis background noise and rear-facing PA speakers.

• Optimized Vocal Frequency Contour: Calibrated with a frequency response shape from 50 Hz to 18,000 Hz. It filters out sub-bass room rumble while implementing a smooth presence boost in the upper-mid frequencies to ensure spoken words cut through ambient noise.

• Secure Locking Mini-Jack Design: The 3.5 mm TRS plug features an integrated, free-spinning metal locking collar. Threading this directly onto an SK bodypack transmitter socket prevents accidental cable disconnects, tugs, or crackling audio fields during active physical movement.

• Resilient Non-Reflective Chassis: The capsule and matching alligator clip are treated with an industrial matte-black finish. This suppresses harsh studio light reflections and minimizes visual distractions on video streams or live television sets.

Technical Specifications Matrix

In the Box: Production Package Inventory

• 1 x Sennheiser ME 4-N Cardioid Lavalier Microphone

• 1 x Heavy-Duty Alligator Clothing Clip

• 1 x Integrated Metal Wire-Mesh Windscreen Grill

Field Configuration and Application Advice

Precise Placement for Directional Lapels: Because the ME 4-N is a directional cardioid lavalier, its placement is much more critical than an omnidirectional model. Clip the microphone centrally onto the lapel, tie, or button seam roughly 15 to 20 cm (6 to 8 inches) below the speaker’s chin. Ensure the front grill of the capsule faces upward toward the speaker's mouth. If the microphone rotates sideways or points down, the speaker will drift off-axis, causing a sudden loss of volume and high frequencies.

Preventing Clothing Friction and Handling Noise: Cardioid capsules are naturally more sensitive to handling noise than omnidirectional elements. When rigging the mic, wrap a small loop of slack into the thin cable right below the capsule head before snapping the cord into the rear cable guide of the alligator clip. This creates a mechanical buffer loop that stops clothing friction and cable tugs from traveling up the wire and coloring your audio track with low-end thuds.