Topic: Sennheiser MKH-40

[spyder9]

Anybody have any experience with these cards?  What did ya like or dislike?  I found a few recordings on LMA.  Freq chart shows a flat line.   

http://www.sennheiserusa.com/newsite/productspecs.asp?transid=002645

Technical Data

Pick-up pattern cardioid
Frequency response                                           40–20,000 Hz
Sensitivity (free field, no load) (1 kHz)                   25 ( 8 ) mV/Pa ± 1dB
Nominal impedance                                             150 Ω
Min. terminating impedance                                  1000 Ω
Equivalent noise level A-weighted (DIN IEC 651)      12 (18) dB
CCIR-weighted (CCIR 468-3)                                21 (27) dB
Max. sound pressure level                                    134 (142) dB at 1 kHz
Power supply phantom                                         48 ± 4 V
Supply current                                                    2 mA
Dimensions in inches                                            .98 x 6.02
Weight approx. 3.52 oz
***Values in parentheses with attenuator switched on (-10 dB)
MKH 40
MKH 40 RF Condenser Microphone

The MKH 40 has a large number of applications, for example as a main microphone, especially
in lightly reverberant or acoustically less perfect rooms, with instrumental groups or for speech
applications. Its wide-angled, neutral directional characteristics and high level of reverse
attenuation ensure an exceptionally balanced sound.
continued

[jnorman34]

hey spidey - the mkh40 is surely one of the best mics i have ever used.  it ranks right up there with DPA 4011s, schoeps cmc64s, and C481s in my book.  the mkh40 is perhaps a tad more colored than the 4011s and 481s, in that it seems to have a strong, pure mid range, with very smooth top end, whereas i see 4011s and 481s as more flat across the range and a little more transparent.  but the mkh40 is probably the best mic i have used on strings, winds and horns in the studio.  i have read more than one forum post where the line goes, "the best recording i ever made of ____ was with a mkh40."  as with all of the mkh series, the build quality is second to none.  cant go wrong...

[audBall]

Not to steer to topic, but I always wanted to play with an MKH-30 (SD fig-8) for a nice compact MS setup.  I can't really afford to spend that much on one mic though. 

[jnorman34]

aud - i had a friend who ran a pair of the 30s in blumlein for classical ensembles - it was just about perfect...

[spyder9]

hey spidey - the mkh40 is surely one of the best mics i have ever used.  it ranks right up there with DPA 4011s, schoeps cmc64s, and C481s in my book.  the mkh40 is perhaps a tad more colored than the 4011s and 481s, in that it seems to have a strong, pure mid range, with very smooth top end, whereas i see 4011s and 481s as more flat across the range and a little more transparent.  but the mkh40 is probably the best mic i have used on strings, winds and horns in the studio.  i have read more than one forum post where the line goes, "the best recording i ever made of ____ was with a mkh40."  as with all of the mkh series, the build quality is second to none.  cant go wrong...

Awesome!  Thanks for the reply.  I'm looking for the ideal match for my Aerco pre.  I know the 64's would be great, since my AT3031's have a very similar sound, though not as crisp and clean.  The Senn's specs look really intriguing.  Definitely the flattest cardioid freq chart I've ever seen.  I listened to a few examples (Big Wu) on LMA, and came away impressed.  I'm trying to decide between the following mics:  Sennheiser MKH40, Schoeps cmc64's, and Sank modded Nakamichi CM-1000.  I'm also considering Audio Technica AE5100, based on price and numbers.  But the 40's really sound great from what I have been able to listen to.     

[George2]

The MKH series microphone electronics operate on radio frequency......less chance of spitting and popping due to high humidity. They are also extremely rugged and quiet, also used in film sound, classical music and capturing nature ambient sounds.

[audBall]

aud - i had a friend who ran a pair of the 30s in blumlein for classical ensembles - it was just about perfect...

I'm sure it was.....'just about perfect'.  I'd love to play with a pair sometime. I'll save that for my dreams, for the time being.   

Syper - Good eye on checkin' out some 1000's!  You won't be disappointed if you come across some.   

[John Willett]

Wonderful, quiet and neutral.  Distortion much lower than other mics due to the symmetrical capsule design.

I have a pair of each of the MKH 20 / 30/ 40 and 800.

At a lower price, the new MKH 8000 series (MKH 8040 is the cardioid) may also be worth considering - they also come in stereo sets.

[audBall]

At a lower price, the new MKH 8000 series (MKH 8040 is the cardioid) may also be worth considering - they also come in stereo sets.

What would a stereo set (w/ cables) run?

[John Willett]

At a lower price, the new MKH 8000 series (MKH 8040 is the cardioid) may also be worth considering - they also come in stereo sets.

What would a stereo set (w/ cables) run?

A stereo set is £1,395 +VAT in the UK - XLR leads not included.

The remote cables are £85 +VAT each for the 3m and £95 +VAT each for the 10m.

You will have to ask Sennheiser USA what the $ price is.

[audBall]

Thanks for the info. +T

[heehaw]

Anybody knows how well this mic takes EQ in post? I'm thinking because of flat curve it should takes it very well.

[spyder9]

I never bought a pair of these.  I went in another direction.  Carry on.

[cashandkerouac]

Spyder:  sorry to hear that you went a different direction, but i hope you're happy with whatever you finally selected. 

for anyone else considering the MKH series of mics, i'm a HUGE fan.  i don't have a MKH-40, but i have a pair of MKH8040s and MKH8050s and am totally satisfied.  i also run an Aerco MP-2 pre-amp and the combination is very pleasing to my ears.  i've also run these mics directly into an R-44 with the Oade concert mod, and i like that sound as well.

both the MKH8040 and MKH8050 capture a lot of bass, which for me is a wonderful thing.  i do not use a low-cut filter for my master recordings, but for most venues if i roll off the low end by 3 db and increase the high end by 3 db in post-production and it balances out very nicely (YMMMV). 

i've also got a single MKH-20 and a single MKH-30 that i use at home for personal recordings, but have never used these mics for concert recording. 

i've always had a great experience with the Sennheiser MKH series and don't yearn for anything else.  great mics at a great price point.   

anyway, that's my 2 cents.  hope it helps.  the MKH-8040 stereo pair or the MKH-8050 pair (not available as a stereo pair) will run you about $2,300 in the US.     

[heehaw]

Thanks for advice, cashandkerouac.
As I know, MKH8040 have a better (wider) freq. responce than the MKH40 but don't have built-in pads. Anyway, from the samples I've hear I really prefer the MKH40, it's more natural for my ears, I've noticed that MKH8040 have a bit "phasey" sound (don't know how to name it right.).
My general question is what would be a better main pair for most tasks (workhorse pair):
1) mics with a flat curve all the way like MKH40 (don't know about other mics in this category)
2) mics with a classic bump in hi-end (most SD condensers having this as I know)
What would be more simple to EQ in post if you have a need:
1) remove hi-end bump
2) add hi-end bump
Yes, I know that it would be better to have a lot of mics from both categories for different tasks, but the question is about main pair that covering most of your needs.
I've come to this question after reading a lot how people scold mics for being bright. So I'm just thinking that having a pair with a flat curve like MKH40 should be more advisable and reliable, isn't it? To record as is, and add this bump if you need it. Just my amateur thoughts