Sennheiser e 904 Dynamic Clip-On Drum Microphone

The Sennheiser e 904 is a compact dynamic microphone designed for toms, snares and percussion.

It is the sort of mic that makes a lot of sense if you want a strong drum sound without filling the kit with bulky mic stands. The included rim clip lets you mount it directly to the drum, keeping the setup tidy, quick and much easier to manage on a busy stage or in a small studio space.

The e 904 is built to capture the attack and body of a drum clearly, while staying small enough to keep out of the drummer’s way. That is exactly what you want from a close drum mic.

What Does It Actually Sound Like?

The e 904 gives you a full, punchy and natural drum sound with fast attack.

On toms, it captures the stick definition clearly while still giving enough body and depth from the shell. On snare, it gives you a tight, direct sound that works well when you need the drum to cut through the mix without becoming thin or harsh.

It is not an overly hyped or gimmicky mic. The response is consistent and easy to shape, which means you can use EQ to fit the drum into the mix rather than fighting against the microphone.

For live sound, that is a big advantage. For recording, it gives you a solid starting point that can work across rock, pop, worship, theatre, school productions, rehearsal rooms and studio sessions.

Why Use a Clip-On Drum Mic?

The main advantage is practicality.

A normal stand-mounted mic can sound great, but it takes up space, gets knocked around, and can be awkward to position around cymbal stands, tom mounts and other hardware. The e 904 clips directly to the rim, so it stays close to the drum and keeps the stage much cleaner.

That is especially useful if you are miking several toms, working on smaller stages, or trying to speed up setup and pack-down.

The compact body also means it does not sit right in the way of the drummer’s sticks, which is important. A drum mic needs to sound good, but it also needs to survive the gig.

Built for Drummers and Live Sound

The e 904 has a reinforced metal body and is designed to handle real drum kit use.

It is a dynamic microphone, so it does not need phantom power and can cope well with loud sources. The cardioid pickup pattern helps focus on the drum in front of it while reducing spill from surrounding cymbals and other stage sound.

It also has a hum-compensating coil, which helps keep the signal cleaner in difficult live environments.

Who Is It For?

This is a great choice for drummers, venues, schools, churches, rehearsal rooms, studios and live sound engineers who need dependable close mics for toms and snare.

It is especially useful if you want to build a neat drum mic setup without using lots of stands. It also pairs well with a dedicated kick drum mic and a set of overheads if you are building a full drum recording or live sound package.

If you only need one general-purpose instrument mic, a handheld-style dynamic mic might be more flexible. But if you specifically want a compact drum mic for toms and snare, the e 904 is a very strong choice.

Key Features

Dynamic cardioid microphone for drums and percussion
Designed especially for toms and snares
Compact body keeps the mic out of the drummer’s way
Integrated rim-clip mounting system with MZH 604 clip included
Fast transient response for clear stick attack
Full, lively sound with natural drum body
Cardioid pickup pattern helps reduce spill from nearby instruments
Reinforced metal housing for stage and studio use
Hum-compensating coil for cleaner performance
3-pin XLR connection
No phantom power required
Suitable for live sound, studio recording, schools, churches and rehearsal rooms
Manufacturer code: 500200
Leisuretec code: SENE904

Specifications

Brand: Sennheiser
Model: e 904
Manufacturer Code: 500200
Leisuretec Code: SENE904
Type: Dynamic Instrument Microphone
Recommended Use: Toms, Snare, Drums and Percussion
Transducer Type: Dynamic
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Frequency Response: 40Hz–18kHz
Sensitivity: 2.0mV/Pa
Nominal Impedance: 350Ω
Minimum Terminating Impedance: 1000Ω
Connection: Wired
Connector: 3-Pin XLR
Dimensions: 63 x 41mm
Weight: 125g
Housing: Reinforced Metal
Clip Included: MZH 604 Microphone Clip
Phantom Power Required: No

What’s Included

1 x Sennheiser e 904 instrument microphone
1 x MZH 604 microphone clip
1 x Pouch
1 x Quick guide
1 x Safety guide

Not Sure If This Is the Right Microphone?

The Sennheiser e 904 is a very good choice if you need compact close mics for toms, snare or percussion.

If you need a kick drum mic, look at something designed for lower frequencies, such as the Sennheiser e 902 or Shure BETA 52A. If you need overheads or cymbal microphones, you will usually want condenser mics instead. But for close-miking toms and snares in a tidy, reliable way, the e 904 is exactly the sort of microphone to consider.

If you are building a full drum mic setup and are unsure what you need for kick, snare, toms and overheads, get in touch and we will help you put the right kit together.