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CardioidSennheiser Electronics Corporation MK4

Cardioid Condenser Microphone

The MK4 is a large-diaphragm FET condenser microphone with a fixed Cardioid pickup pattern. It is Sennheiser’s first large-diaphragm studio condenser, and is described by the company as providing “the best possible sound quality rather than technical extravagance.”

The capsule is a 1-inch, externally-polarized design derived from the capsule in the e965 handheld vocal microphone. In the MK4, this capsule is shockmounted to reduce the transmission of mechanical noise.

Sennheiser describes the mic as having little off-axis coloration. The published polar graph shows a consistent Cardioid pattern from 125Hz–2kHz. The mic becomes somewhat more sensitive at 180° between 4kHz–8kHz, but the narrowing of the on-axis pickup pattern that is common to most microphones does not occur until the octave above 8kHz.

The published frequency graph shows a nominally flat response from 100Hz–3kHz, with a ~3dB presence rise centered around 10kHz. The -3dB points are 40Hz and 15kHz.

The mic’s sensitivity is relatively high at 25mV/Pa, and its self-noise rating is very low at 10dBA. The MK4 is likely suitable for recording quiet acoustic sources, and for ambient miking applications, as well as standard vocal and instrumental tasks. Its max SPL of 140dB makes it able to withstand all but the loudest sources (brass, close-miked drums), although an external pad might be necessary in some cases.

The MK4 ships with a “ring mount” clip (Sennheiser p/n MZQ 4) and a storage pouch. Optional accessories include an elastic shockmount (p/n MKS 40), pop filter (p/n MZP 40), and foam windscreen (p/n MKW 4).

The mic is manufactured in Sennheiser’s facility in Wedemark, Germany. It began shipping in January, 2011.

More details about this mic will be available after the Winter 2011 NAMM show.

Permalink: Sennheiser Electronics Corporation MK4

The mic was released in 2011.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Cardioid (25 mV/Pa; 40 - 15,000 Hz)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diameter n/a
50 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 140 dB
Self-noise: 10.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
485g (17.11oz) 160mm (6.30'') 57mm (2.24'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power
  • Phantom voltage: 48v

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