Senheisser Mics Explained??

[Jimmy Tuffrey]

So where abouts is the capsule in an mkh60?

[John Willett]

Originally Posted by Sherif Choudhry

Hi

I've been searching to understand in what situations I would use the following mics - any Senheisser experts who can help? (the Sen site is pretty useless for that):

*416
*418 (M-S version of 416)

*MKH60
*MKH70

*MKH8050

*K6 series

Thanks in anticipation.

The 416 is the industry standard gun mic. for outside broadcast and film work - it's a short gun mic.

The 418 is basically the same as the 416, but has an additional fig-8 side mic. added - NB: both capsules have to be powered and it's best to have the side mic. at about -6dB (*not* the same level as the mid).

The 60 is the same pattern as the 416 but is a symmetric capsule mic. and much better (it's also 10 years newer).

The 70 is basically the same as the 60, but is a long gun mic and more directional.

The 8050 is part of the new 8000 series - also symmetrical capsule - this is a super-cardioid mic. It will have about the same polar pattern as the 416 / 60 / 70 at low frequencies but does not get more directional as frequency rises like gun mics do.

These are all RF condenser mics that still work well in damp and rainy conditions.

The K6 is a pre-polarised condenser series and is used by people who can't afford the above - still very good quality, though.

[John Willett]

..........

[Guy Cochran]

We've been doing a little indoor testing of some of these mics by spinning white noise 360 degrees around the microphone using a jib arm. It's pretty interesting to hear the fall off with the different patterns. The cardioid we tried out is the Sennheiser 8040, the super cardioid is the 8050 and the shotgun is the trusty old MKH-416. The omni is the 8020.

Testing polar patterns video

[Nick Flowers]

Guy, this is a really good, clear and informative demonstration. Thanks very much.

[Ron Williams]

wrong place sorry