Topic: Sennheiser MKH8040ST !!! anyone demo these yet?

[NorseHorse]

Pair of MKH8040s on a baroque ensemble performing UCCELLINI's Aria Decima Quinta "Sopra La Scatola Dagli Agghi": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck_MQHwyZyE  For a proper chamber CD recording, these would need to be mixed with spot mics, but the video was priority was here.

It should be noted that there have been major problems with noise and reliability of the MKH8000 mics, especially the 8040s (perhaps because they were launched first and purchased by more people...).  To read more about the issues, see: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/741766-mkh8000-intermitent-noise.html

[myke2241]

Pair of MKH8040s on a baroque ensemble performing UCCELLINI's Aria Decima Quinta "Sopra La Scatola Dagli Agghi": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck_MQHwyZyE  For a proper chamber CD recording, these would need to be mixed with spot mics, but the video was priority was here.

It should be noted that there have been major problems with noise and reliability of the MKH8000 mics, especially the 8040s (perhaps because they were launched first and purchased by more people...).  To read more about the issues, see: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/741766-mkh8000-intermitent-noise.html

The issues related to the MKH 8000 series was mainly in the first batch of manufacturing. Although it is still happening, i believe it is to older MKH 8000's more then the newer. reliability should not be brought up either as any mic can develop a fault, let alone other gear failures. so it doesnt really matter the make. that is why you should have a backup plan if it is a critical recording. Also Senn will repair the issue for free if the noise issue comes up. 

[Gutbucket]

reliability should not be brought up either as any mic can develop a fault, let alone other gear failures. so it doesnt really matter the make.

Huh?  This is most definitely an appropriate forum in which to discuss reliability issues for any piece of recording equipment.  If there are problems, we want to know about and address them honestly and openly here.

[cashandkerouac]

I was unaware of them as we'll.  I wonder if they will make an mkh90.  Probably not I suppose since they have moved to the 80xx series.  As I have Bean's mk21s, I figure I'm in pretty good shape for a wide card.

Got my MKH40s.  Pristine.  Can't wait to run them and compare them to the MK4s.

i'd be very interested to hear a comp of the MKH8040 versus the MK4 mics.  very interested indeed.

this certainly isn't an "apples to apples" comparison - different sets (early and late), different crowd dynamics, slightly different taping locations, very likely that mic orientation was different... - so I fully acknowkedge that this is only an anectodal comparison at best.  i think both versions sound great, just different flavors.  some like strawberry, others like chocolate.

Early Set (MK4): http://www.planetrocklosslessbootlegs.com/showthread.php?128352-Ginger-Baker-s-Jazz-Confusion-2013-10-19-early-aud-oakland-mk4-flac16&p=247983#post247983   

Late Set (MKH8040): http://www.planetrocklosslessbootlegs.com/showthread.php?128363-Ginger-Baker-s-Jazz-Confusion-2013-10-19-late-aud-oakland-mkh8040-flac16&p=248053#post248053

[pohaku]

Thanks!  I'll open these up when I get home.  I've been waiting to get my DR680 back to run my Mk4s and MKH40s together so I can run them through the same pre and recorder.  It's loaned out to my daughter's sax teacher for recording road dates for his jazz chamber ensemble.   I expect the MKH40s will sound a bit different from the MK8040s, from what I have read.  I've not had the chance to hear those together either.

[acidjack]

Pair of MKH8040s on a baroque ensemble performing UCCELLINI's Aria Decima Quinta "Sopra La Scatola Dagli Agghi": http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ck_MQHwyZyE  For a proper chamber CD recording, these would need to be mixed with spot mics, but the video was priority was here.

It should be noted that there have been major problems with noise and reliability of the MKH8000 mics, especially the 8040s (perhaps because they were launched first and purchased by more people...).  To read more about the issues, see: http://www.gearslutz.com/board/so-much-gear-so-little-time/741766-mkh8000-intermitent-noise.html

The issues related to the MKH 8000 series was mainly in the first batch of manufacturing. Although it is still happening, i believe it is to older MKH 8000's more then the newer. reliability should not be brought up either as any mic can develop a fault, let alone other gear failures. so it doesnt really matter the make. that is why you should have a backup plan if it is a critical recording. Also Senn will repair the issue for free if the noise issue comes up.

If you think "we'll fix it for free" is an adequate response for a four-figure priced mic failing, I'm guessing you have been lucky enough to never need gear repaired. After shipping it back (especially to Germany or somewhere that isn't, say, DPA's facilities in Colorado) at (usually) cost to you, plus not having mics for several months, plus then having a mic with a ding on its record... it's hardly a "no big deal, they'll fix it for free" situation.

Manufacturers should not put out new products that have a high enough failure rate that people are commenting on them publicly. Especially ones like Sennheiser who should know better. When they do, they should be held accountable.

[mysticeyes]

reliability should not be brought up either as any mic can develop a fault, let alone other gear failures. so it doesnt really matter the make.

Huh?  This is most definitely an appropriate forum in which to discuss reliability issues for any piece of recording equipment.  If there are problems, we want to know about and address them honestly and openly here.

I agree wholeheartedly. I try to find out about the reliability of anything I buy, especially when the price of that item is well over $1,000. A $50 DVD player that fails is not a big deal, but a refrigerator, or automobile, now that's crucial, and I think the make does matter very much when I'm voting, with my dollars, for the manufacturers that do a good job and care about their customers.

[cashandkerouac]

i bought my MKH8040 mics in 2011 and they have been rock solid.  they've performed flawlessly indoors and out, good weather and bad. 

[rigpimp]

Here is an apples to apples comp that I did a year ago.  140 vs 8040

Pic of mic setup here:
http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=150229.msg1974580#msg1974580

8040:
https://archive.org/details/hp2012-06-16.8040.kreider

140:
https://archive.org/details/hp2012-06-16.140.kreider

Edit to say this is the first that I have heard of the 8040 problems.  I guess I should go back and inspect my 24 bit master files.  The comp above was made in June of 2012 right before the GS thread was started.  I will also contact the guy that I borrowed them from and ask if he has experienced any problems with his mics.

[cashandkerouac]

^ thanks!