Sennheiser Capsules - Which one should I use?
Posted on: 12th July 2023
For many years, Sennheiser has been known to offer complete flexibility with their wireless systems. This has ensured singers and engineers alike have been able to quickly and easily mix-and-match transmitters and capsules to create the perfect sound for their environment. It’s important to know though that we’re not saying each capsule has to be used for a specific application or voice, as it’s always up to you to decide which sound you prefer.
Sennheiser’s full range of capsules is made up of the ME, MMD, KK and MMK families. Each code has a different function and is compatible with various Sennheiser handheld transmitters.
Taking a close look at the capsules you can notice that around the diameter you have both the capsule name as well as the polar pattern symbol. This makes the capsules easily identifiable, perfect for if you need to quickly change out the capsule for another.
If you’re in need of Ultra high rejection then the MM capsules are the perfect choice. They amplify vocals effortlessly even in loud environments making them ideal for all scales of live performance, including church sound and festival stages.
If you’re looking for something to excel in a Live setting then the MMD capsules might be for you. These capsules are best used for capturing loud vocals and strong instrument sounds such as drums making them the ideal capsule for any live setting.
If you’d like even more clarity then the KK and MMK capsules might be what you’re looking for. These capsules offer an increased sensitivity however unlike others, these capsules require a higher voltage with phantom power. This extra power is supplied by either the battery in a wireless transmitter or direct from the mixer when it is wired. The increased sensitivity of these capsules makes them ideal for softer voices, instruments, distance, low-level delicate sound sources and higher frequencies.
800 & 900 Series
Diving deeper into the capsules we’ll start with the MMD 835 & 935, these capsules are both cardioid dynamic capsules. They are both designed to have a sound signature that allows vocals to sit above similar-sounding instruments in the mix such as an electric guitar.
The 845 & 945 are also dynamic capsules but feature a super-cardioid polar pattern instead of cardioid. The super-cardioid pattern has a tighter pickup angle compared to a cardioid and also offers more side rejection. If you’d like to know more about polar patterns, check out our video below.
The 835 capsule is very forgiving and gives a solid sound over varying distances and great speech intelligibility. You should be aware that if this capsule is used on a loud stage an EQ will be required to help keep vocals above the mix.
In this kind of situation, this is where the MMD 945 capsule would be more suited with its gentle boost in the 4KHz region, giving a solid boost to the sibilant and consonant peaks of the voice to transmit it with presence and forceful colours.
While we’re on the topic of the 945, we should also mention that if you’re searching for the best option for your G4 EW/D system then the MMD 900 series will be what you’re looking for.
Moving onto the 65’s we have the MME 865 and the MMK 965. These capsules feature super-cardioid patterns but instead of being dynamic, these capsules are condenser.
Focusing on the 965 with its large-diaphragm and switchable polar pattern from cardioid to super-cardioid for extreme versatility, the MMK 965 is the flagship true condenser capsule. This capsule delivers a forceful, high-resolution sound and responds extremely quickly, making it sensitive to the finest sounds. It also offers high feedback rejection, meaning that this capsule will focus on the characteristics that make your voice unique.
MM 435 & 445
Moving over to the MM family we have the 435 & 445 capsules; these capsules offer ultra-high rejection making them perfect for any loud environment. Succeeding from the MD 9235, the 435 allows more and more performers to experience the same well-established sound.
The MM445 is the ideal capsule for even more demanding environments, just like the 435 there is a broad boost in the high frequencies for greater presence paired with an excellently controlled proximity effect.
These capsules finish off Sennheiser’s dynamic capsule portfolio, allowing you to find the right capsule for your needs.
MMD 42 & KK
Taking a brief look at some other capsules we have the MMD 42. This capsule features an Omni-Directional polar pattern, meaning that it can pick up the sound from whatever direction making it the ideal capsule for a broadcast environment.
We also have the KK 204 & 205 capsules from Neumann. These precision condenser capsules offer excellent pop protection, enormous SPL capability, and high feedback resistance. Many do not know but Sennheiser actually own Neumann, hence the cross-compatibility between the two brands.
Outro
So that just about covers the capsule range from Sennheiser and Neumann, if you'd like to know more about a specific capsule, check out our product pages or contact our team to find out all about the range.
If you'd like to know more about the compatibility of the capsules between transmitters, check out our handy Capsule Compatibility Guide in the downloads below:
