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

[Glen Trew]

The MKH40 and MKH50 microphones are both workhorses of the film industry for overhead boompole use.  For boompole use, lighter and smaller is always much better, so the MKH8000 series is getting a lot of interest from the film/video industry. Therefore I've listened to the MKH8000 series -- the MKH8040 (cardioid) and MKH8050 (supercardioid), specifically. For my ears I was happy that they sounded just like their respective counterparts, the larger MKH40 and MKH50 microphones.

Because pattern names can be a little misleading, I want to briefly give my opinion about pattern choices of these mics: When the MHH40 and MKH50 came out a few years ago, many saw them as an alternative for the sweet but more delicate Schoeps MK41 (supercardioid) that is often used on a boompole for film/video production. Most people making the switch to Sennheiser instintively went for the MKH50 because it is also labeled "supercardioid". However, many users are now realizing that the MKH50 supercardioid pattern is sharper and narrower than the Schoeps MK41 supercardioid.

Part of what made the Schoeps MK41 so desirable for film/video dialog recording was the "soft edge" when transitioning from on-axis to off-axis. The Sennheiser MKH50 goes from the on-axis sound to the off-axis sound more abruptly, resulting in a surprising off axis sound if it's being worked by someone accustomed to the Schoeps MK41.

Anyway, the long and short of it is that, if you are wanting a Sennheiser alternative that behaves more like the Schoeps MK41, then the Sennheiser MKH40 - and now also the MKH8040 - is the way to go, in my opinion.

I will be posting more details about this series on the Trew Audio website soon, accompanied by an introductory e-sale announcement. Anyone who does not receive these bi-weekly announcements from Trew Audio (but would like to) can request to be added to the list here: http://www.trewaudio.com/feedback.htm .

Regards,

Glen Trew

[rokpunk]

up at aes last november i listened to these for a brief minute, and like glen seems to suggest, the sound of the 8050 (hyper) really disappears when you get off axis, unlike the 8040 (card) which sounded more "natural" to me a bit off axis. i think that my exact words to my buddy standing next to me were " these hypers are really hyper".

[Tim]

+T Glen, that was really informative

[John Willett]

When the MHH40 and MKH50 came out a few years ago,

That's the first time I have heard anyone call 23 years a "few". 

The MKH 40 came out in 1985 and the 50 in 1986.

 

[pohaku]

Yes, I know that I am reviving a very old thread, but I'm interested in others' opinions about the comparability of the mk41 to the mkh40.  Not really much discussion about the assertion that the pattern of the mkh40 (and 8040) was more similar to the mk41, in comparison to the pattern of the mkh50.  Anybody running both?  I have mk4s, which are quite nice, and had been looking for mk41s, but snagged a pair of mkh40s on the bay. Haven't received them yet, but was wondering about this opinion that the pattern was similar.  I'm sure they have their own sound, but are the patterns really that similar?  I always understood the mkh40 to be a cardioid rather than a hyper, even if the pattern edges are soft.

No substitute for trying them out, but I'm impatient and enquiring minds want to know.

[John Willett]

The MKH 40 is definitely a cardioid, with an excellent ad well-controlled cardioid pattern.

The MKH 8040 is also cardioid.

I have both of these and the low end goes further down than most other directional mics.

[wigglepuppy]

I own the MKH8090's (Sub Cardioid's) and I love them... My Schoeps MK4's are starting to collect dust

[pohaku]

I own the MKH8090's (Sub Cardioid's) and I love them... My Schoeps MK4's are starting to collect dust

So.  Are those the MK21 equivalent for Sennheiser?  Use them stage lip or onstage?

[F.O.Bean]

I own the MKH8090's (Sub Cardioid's) and I love them... My Schoeps MK4's are starting to collect dust

So.  Are those the MK21 equivalent for Sennheiser?  Use them stage lip or onstage?

Yep, they're both subcards! I LOVED the mk21s I sold you when I ran them stage lip and at festies FOB/DFC. I will own them again one day. Just didn't use them enough to justify eking them And the fact I had been searching for mk4s for two years

[myke2241]

I own the MKH8090's (Sub Cardioid's) and I love them... My Schoeps MK4's are starting to collect dust

I am pretty excited about the 8090's. i have heard good things. i am planing on purchasing a pair soon.

[wigglepuppy]

Yeah, the 8090's seem to have a sweeter, smoother top end and rounder, warmer low end compared to my mk4's. As far as active cables go, they're pretty damn small to begin with. My next step is to get the mzd8000 digital modules and neumann dmi2p digital pre. The 8090's seem to be a lot more sensitive than my cmc64's as well based on pre amp gain needed. All in all, I think they trump my schoeps.

[F.O.Bean]

Yeah, the 8090's seem to have a sweeter, smoother top end and rounder, warmer low end compared to my mk4's. As far as active cables go, they're pretty damn small to begin with. My next step is to get the mzd8000 digital modules and neumann dmi2p digital pre. The 8090's seem to be a lot more sensitive than my cmc64's as well based on pre amp gain needed. All in all, I think they trump my schoeps.

sell me your mk8 then Hows about $500

[cashandkerouac]

Yeah, the 8090's seem to have a sweeter, smoother top end and rounder, warmer low end compared to my mk4's. As far as active cables go, they're pretty damn small to begin with. My next step is to get the mzd8000 digital modules and neumann dmi2p digital pre. The 8090's seem to be a lot more sensitive than my cmc64's as well based on pre amp gain needed. All in all, I think they trump my schoeps.

i was not aware of the 8090s until reading your post.  as a huge fan of the MKH8000 series i'm not sure how this slipped past me.  not sure i have a need for the 8090s, but i really like the results i've heard from other wide cards close to the stage.     

[pohaku]

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.

[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.