SeriesSennheiser MKH

The Sennheiser MKH 416 is a shot gun tube microphone that can be used for a number of applications. While shot gun microphones are mostly used for recording audio for film, I've got experience using this microphone in a traditional recording studio setting. I'm sure that my positive experience with this microphone in the studio will translate to any application that you decide to use this microphone for. The MKH 416 has a frequency response ranging from 40 Hz to 20 kHz. The pick up pattern is unique because it has a hyper cardioid pick up pattern at low and mid low frequencies and at about 2 kHz it has a lobar pick up pattern, which is directional and is only found in shot gun mics. The mic is designed for use in the field, but can be used in any situation. OVERALL OPINION Having used the Sennheiser MKH 416 in the recording studio for recording the voice and room sounds for the most part, it's definitely a microphone that I'd recommend. It's got a very high sensitivity, so while it's best for use to pick up sound for films or room sounds in the recording studio, it also works well for speech as I've found that you can get a very realistic sound when hung over any sort of voice recording. While it's probably not traditionally used in a recording studio, the studio I work at has one on hand for many different purposes, but mostly for use in some degree with post production for film. The mic isn't all that cheap, but also isn't too expensive for a shot gun microphone of this quality. I wouldn't recommend it for musical purposes, but if you are looking for a shot gun mic for audio in film and/or for post production, this is definitely a microphone to keep in mind when shopping around. While I don't know much about audio recording for film, having heard this microphone in the studio it's definitely easy to tell that it sounds great when used right...

The Sennheiser MKH405 is a unique shot gun condenser microphone that can be used for a variety of applications. While it can be used for recording during filming, I've only used this in a recording studio for recording music. However, I do think that it can be used in pretty much any situation where you would want a lot of detail in your sound. The mic can be powered by AAA batteries if you want to use it on the go. OVERALL OPINION Overall, the Sennheiser MKH405 is very impressive mic. While I have been told that this mic is best suited for recording audio during filming, I have had success using it in the recording studio. It is great for a variety of purposes, but probably is suited best for recording acoustic instruments like piano and guitar. I have also enjoyed using it for vocals or as a drum overhead, I think in the right situation it is well suited for both of these. I haven't seen these in too many different studios, but I was glad I tried it out because it is a really cool sounding microphone. It is definitely on the obscure side of Sennheiser microphones and isn't generally considered a go to studio microphone, but it has certain qualities of it that I find work very well for the applications that I mentioned earlier. I don't know too much about the price or the availability of the MKH405, but I would imagine that they aren't the most readily available mics since they are no longer made and I haven't seen too many of them around at all. Having said that, I would definitely recommend checking out this mic as I think most recording engineers would enjoy using it as I've found to have a good amount of success with it in the times that I have been able to use it...

The MKH 50 is a really amazing sounding mic that I was lucky enough to get to use for a couple of sessions at a very nice studio. It is a small diaphragm condenser mic that has standard connections. You hook it up with XLR that has +48v power for the mic. The mic itself is a super cardioid pickup pattern. This mic is very precise in its pickup area. The side and back refection is really big, so the mic placement when using this one seems to be very important. The mic also has a couple of nice features that make it a better value. It's got a 10 dB pad so if you are in danger of overloading and clipping with this mic, you can just flip the switch for the pad and you should be safe. There is also a low cut filter on it that you can switch on or off. It is designed to help reduce any added low end you get from the proximity effect if you are close miking something. All of these features add up to make this a really great mic for accurately capturing instruments that demand a lot of clarity, like violins or flutes. The super cardioid pattern also means that it excels with recording a solo instrument because you can really hone in on one particular area. OVERALL OPINION I have used this mic a few times, and am pretty familiar with it though I don't own it myself. I love the very crisp, realistic sound. It sounds totally amazing on acoustic guitars and violins! If I had to complain about this mic I would just say that it is maybe a little over priced. Even still, the mic is very nice. I'm not sure about the overall value because it is pricey, but I'll just say it's a fair value. I hope to get one some day!