Sennheiser was invited to Brick Shed Studios in Churubusco, Indiana, to put the Sennheiser e 965 handheld condenser microphone to the test in a studio recording environment. Known for its dual-diaphragm design and supercardioid pickup pattern, the Sennheiser e 965 is often praised as one of the best mics for recording vocals in untreated rooms. The goal was simple: record solo artist Sunny Taylor performing her song "Do What I Do" live in a single take. We'd track it all in the live room to see if the mic's stage-ready features translated to the track without any extra editing, processing, and sound treatment.
Studio owner and engineer Carl Bleke managed the session and delivered the final mix of the performance. He was especially excited for the project as he'd been eying the e 965 for tracking and filming live singer-songwriter performances at the studio.
For this session, Taylor sang into the e 965 while we mic'd her Martin acoustic guitar with a set of small-diaphragm condensers. The result? A gorgeous-sounding track that showcases the song, the performance, and the e 965's versatility.
But don't take our word for it. Taylor and Bleke were both big fans. Here we'll discuss the session as they weigh in on the mic's performance and why they were all so impressed.
A Studio Test for a Stage Microphone
Intrigued by the idea of tracking and filming live acoustic sessions in his studio, Bleke wanted a microphone that could deliver studio-quality vocal recordings while offering the isolation and durability of a live performance mic. He quickly set his sights on the e 965.
"Traditional studio condenser microphones pick up everything," he explained. "Whereas the 965 will do a lot more to isolate your vocals and get a good, clean sound."
Stacking the cards against the microphone, we intentionally placed Taylor in Brick Shed's spacious live room without any baffling or isolation. The isolation Bleke mentioned was still on full display with the e 965.
Despite the room's open acoustics, he was amazed by the mic's focus, saying, "The rejection is amazing. Part of it is how balanced Sunny is as a performer, but I can tell there's so much rejection on that mic. Even in a super live room, it sounds like an ISO booth."
A Familiar Feel for Singers
For Taylor, a standout aspect of the microphone was its approachability. As primarily a performing vocalist, she emphasized how comfortable she felt recording into a mic's handheld design.
"I would rather have a microphone like this than to have the weird pop-filter thing," she admitted. “There's just a weird thing with mic positioning and stuff in the studio that always makes me feel like I'm not in the correct position."
Bleke agreed, noting how the e 965's familiar shape can be much less intimidating for singers used to the live environment.
"Vocalists usually have way more experience singing on this shape than with a studio condenser," he said. "So, if singers are uncomfortable in the studio, this mic's familiarity helps. It feels approachable."
Sound Quality: The Clarity of a Condenser with Live Practicality
The e 965's sound quality definitely impressed during playback, with Taylor quickly pointing out how effortlessly it captured exactly what it should — and nothing else.
"Compared to my [usual high-end microphone], this mic sounds richer, warmer, with more low-range tones," she said. "I appreciate that warmth because there's often too much brightness on vocals. And it psyches you out hearing all the little throat and breath noises on big condensers. I didn't have that as much with this mic. It helped me focus."
"But it still has that high-end presence you'd get from a large diaphragm condenser," Bleke added. "It just cuts out a lot of 'fat' naturally. It may be less malleable than some [studio condensers], but it sounds good right off the bat."
Built for Versatility and Real-World Use
In addition to the e 965's sonic performance, Bleke also highlighted some of the recording benefits that come with using a mic created for the stage.
"Its pop rejection and built-in filtering are great. It's built with way more than a large diaphragm condenser. There were plosives, but at a very low level. And, if you're in a basic home studio and want good vocals, this mic is a better sell than a large diaphragm condenser. It's more forgiving in less-than-ideal rooms."
But did the e 965's isolation and sound also meet Bleke's requirements for a mic that makes sessions more efficient?
"Definitely," he said. "It's exactly what I was hoping for, and I'd absolutely use it again. It's also a time-saver for busy engineers. It's a mic you can confidently grab that will work 98% of the time. It feels durable, looks good with the blue mesh, and gives exactly the isolation and clarity needed for home studios and sessions."
The Session Result
This recording session put the Sennheiser e 965 to the task. Taylor, who is admittedly picky about her microphones, loved its sound and approachable form factor. Bleke was won over by the impressive isolation, "pre-EQ'd" sound, and ease of use.
Compare Sunny Taylor's live-in-the-studio version of "Do What I Do," along with the isolated e 965 vocal track. It's a great way to hear how effortlessly the microphone handles the studio environment. Then, visit the Sennheiser e 965 product page to check the mic out and try one out for yourself. Whether onstage or in the studio, we think you'll be as impressed as we all were.
Whether you're a singer-songwriter, podcaster, or engineer working in a home studio, the Sennheiser e 965 condenser mic offers a rare combination of studio-grade clarity and live mic practicality.
