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ShotgunSennheiser Electronics Corporation MKH 416

Shotgun Condenser Microphone

The MKH 416 is one of the most popular short shotgun microphones for film and ENG (electronic news gathering) applications. Like some competitive shotgun mics, the 416 is an RF Condenser design.

The 416 has a consistent Supercardioid pattern below 1kHz, with deep nulls at ±120°. Above 2kHz, the polar pattern narrows, although not consistently.

The mic has relatively low self-noise (16dBA) for a small-diaphragm condenser, and relatively high sensitivity (25 mV/Pa).

The published frequency response is nominally flat to about 3kHz where a smooth, +3dB presence boost appears. According to Sennheiser, the mic is not very prone to proximity effect. Perhaps for this reason, the MKH 416 has become a popular microphone in the voiceover industry. (But see VO artist Corey Burton’s rant about the MKH416’s unsuitability as a VO mic.)

The mic ships with a hard mount (p/n MZQ 100) and a foam windscreen (p/n MZW415).

The Sennheiser Electronics Corporation MKH 416 is also known as: MKH416, 416, MKH 416 P48.

Specifications

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Shotgun (25 mV/Pa; 40 - 20,000 Hz)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diameter n/a
25 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 130 dB
Self-noise: 24.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
175g (6.17oz) 250mm (9.84'') 19mm (0.75'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires phantom power
  • Phantom voltage: 48±12v

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