Sennheiser MAT 153-S

The Sennheiser MAT 153-S is a rugged wired table stand that gives a stable base to gooseneck microphones with a 5-pin XLR connector. On top it has a prominent microphone button with a two-colour status indicator, so the speaker can see at a glance whether they are live or muted — without asking the engineer. Underneath is a TTL logic output that can trigger a camera or a media control system, so pressing the button also switches the picture to whoever is speaking. The stand is powered through a single 3-pin XLR cable, available separately.

Gooseneck table stand

The speaker can see whether they are live

The two-colour indicator in the microphone button answers the one question anyone at a microphone has: is this thing on? Without it people ask, gesture at the engineer, or talk into a muted microphone — and all of that ends up in the recording.

A logic output that switches the camera

The TTL output underneath passes the button press on — to a camera or a media control system. In a meeting room or a hall that means the picture cuts to whoever is speaking, without someone sitting there switching it by hand.