Customer Reviews

Sennheiser MKH-416, (P48) Super-Cardioid Short Shotgun Condenser Interference Tube Microphone.

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I'm a production sound mixer for the film and television industry. What that means is that I'm one of the guys who captures the sound for you to hear while you're watching a movie or viewing your favorite television shows.

The main way of capturing that sound is through what we call a shotgun mic mounted on the end of a boom pole. When I first moved out of recording studios and into the world of location sound recording, Sennheiser had just updated their already industry standard short shotgun microphone the MKH-415. The new model was called the MKH-416, and boasted better signal to noise ratio, lower self noise and a more robust lower end. All of that was true.

In short, the 416 P48 is an interference tube design super cardioid 48 volt phantom powered short shotgun microphone. To achieve it's very thin pickup pattern, it generates very high frequency noise above that which humans can hear on either side on it's tube through it's grills. This noise radiates in a pattern that overlaps itself and since each side is 180 degrees out of phase with the other, that noise cancels itself out along with most other frequencies.

This gives the 416 a nice, slim pickup pattern, great range for a shorter shotgun style mic, and a deep low end directly in front of the forward mic capsule, making it extremely popular with actors and voice over talent.

The mic quality is top notch and the construction is extremely strong, making it a rugged mic to have in the field. Because it is an electret design condenser mic, it can saturate during extreme moist conditions, which has happened to me. When that happens, you just need to quickly unplug the mic, wipe it off, put it in a case with drying crystals and pull your backup out to continue shooting.

The major weaknesses with a twenty year old design are that there are now short shotgun mics out today that have even less self noise, greater frequency response, are lighter, and include different electronic designs with built in boosts and cuts on board. Yet, you'll see the 416 still being used on most sets today.

If you want a good solid proven work horse of a mic that most sound mixers still have in their kits and still use as a primary super-cardioid shotgun mic today, then the Sennheiser MKH-416 is that mic.

The Voice Actor's Guide to Home Recording

The 416 has been a favorite of voice artists for a decade - it's rugged with an "In your face" sound and rejects a lot of superfluous sound since it is a shotgun mic originally used designed for film work.

The 416 is standard in the industry for movie trailer and TV promo work. Incredibly directional recording that WILL pick up any imperfections. Not for use with dry mouth. Make sure to pick up the wind screen as well as a good pop screen.

I've used this for 2 years as video production company sound man--excellent, full, rich sound. Sensitive and clean. Reliable for field work. What can I say? Expensive, but you get what you pay for--a great product

Sturdy built, slim and sleek look and feel. Purchased this gem mainly for Voice Over work and agree with other positive reviewers here. The main thing to take note is the relatively small pick up pattern--which is about the size of a circle you make while touching thumb and index finger with one hand (if that makes sense) to give you an idea of the "sweet spot" which only becomes an issue if you tend to move slightly off mic while recording.

But this can be remedied with a little practice and is NOT an issue otherwise. I don't find need for a pop filter for vocals if you angle it slightly off center instead of aiming it directly to the lips from an open palm distance so as to not have the mic take the brunt of vocal breaths directly.

I channel it through an Avalon 737 SP strip and find absolutely no need to apply ANY tweaks on the digital processing end whatsoever.

Another thing worthy of note is that this is an excellent cam mic with quite a range to it. While initially setting it up using headphones to get the proper setting on my mic pre, I had inadvertently positioned it out an open window and was shocked to be able to clearly hear what my next door neighbors were saying from about 30+ yards away!

Not that I recommend using it for such purposes but that range impressed the heck out of me just the same. Well maybe a handy feature to consider at pool parties and other gatherings--just saying.

This is a great mic well worth the price from a solid company well known for high quality audio gear.

I've read discussions on forums from audio engineers saying they can achieve the same sound quality with lesser priced mics by adding digital tweaks but that is like saying the imitation butter is just as tasty as the real thing--not so by a long shot.