Sennheiser Announces MK 8 — Large Diaphragm Condenser Studio Microphone
At the National Association of Broadcasters (NAB) Show, Sennheiser just gave the studio some.
The company made the convention the launchpad for their new MK 8 large-diaphragm, multi-pattern condenser studio microphone. Due to arrive in late summer for approximately $699, the MK 8 is a highly flexible sound capture device, sporting five selectable polar patterns (omni-directional, wide cardioid, car-dioid, super-cardioid, figure-of-eight), as well as a low cut/roll-off filter and se-lectable pad.
According to Sennheiser, the MK 8’s sound is highly musical which is “direct and harmonious, characterized by a defined bass, beautifully rounded mids and an open treble.”
There’s more to know – as evidenced by the details supplied here by Sennheiser:
Designed and manufactured in Germany, the MK 8 echoes the sleek design of the MK 4 studio microphone. Where the fixed cardioid MK 4 was designed for plug-and-play simplicity, the multi-pattern MK 8 offers additional control for the refined recording engineer. The new microphone features a one-inch, dual-diaphragm capsule, precisely spattered with 24-carat gold and elastically mounted to reduce structure-borne noise. In addition, a three-position filter allows the user to either eliminate low-frequency noise below 60 Hz (-18 dB/octave, low-cut position) or introduce a softer roll-off effect from 100 Hz down to compensate for the proximity effect in close miking (-6 dB/octave, roll-off position).
The MK 8 is also fitted with a switchable pad (off, -10 dB, -20 dB). A -10 dB reduction in the capsule protects against excessively loud audio sources, while an additional -10 dB reduction in the microphone electronics avoids overloads in connected mic pre-amps and subsequent recording equipment.
The five switchable pick-up patterns exhibit relatively constant characteristics, especially in the low end. This ensures better, more defined sound, as the selected pattern is maintained over frequency. For example, the super-cardioid pattern will not “blur” but remain precise, providing the same high attenuation of lateral sound sources regardless of frequency.
Encased in a sturdy metal housing, the MK 8 has relatively low sensitivity to humidity as the impedance conversion is done within the capsule. It is packaged with a microphone clip and a protective pouch, and optional accessories include an elastic suspension, a foam windshield, a pop filter and a hard case. The new MK 8 microphone will be available in late summer.
Technical data of the MK 8
Transducer principle — externally polarised condenser microphone
Diaphragm diameter — 1” (25.4 mm)
Pick-up patterns — omni-directional, wide cardioid, cardioid,
super-cardioid, figure-of-eight
Frequency response — 20 to 20,000 Hz
Sensitivity — 17.4 mV/Pa (–35 dBV)
Maximum sound pressure level — 140 dB (pad: 0 dB)
Equivalent noise level — 10 dBA, 16 dB CCIR
Dynamic range — 130 dB
Nominal impedance — 50 ohms
Min. terminating impedance — 1 kohm
Power supply — 48 V phantom power (P48)
Low-cut/roll-off filter, switchable — roll-off: -6 dB/oct. from 100 Hz
low-cut: -18 dB/oct. from 60 Hz
Switchable pad — 0 db, -10 dB, -20 dB
Current consumption — 4.1 mA
Diameter — approx. 57 mm
Length — approx. 160 mm
Weight — approx. 485 g
Operating temperature — 0° to +40°C
Storage temperature — -10° to +60°C
Optional accessories
MKW 4 Windshield
MZP 40 Pop filter
MKS 40 Elastic suspension
MKC 4 Hard case
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