Sennheiser MK 4 User manual

Instruction manual
MK 4
High quality
studio microphone

MK 4 | 1
ENFRITNLRUZH ES DE
Contents
Important safety information ..............................................................2
The MK 4 microphone ............................................................................4
Delivery includes .....................................................................................5
Putting the MK 4 into operation..........................................................6
Mounting the microphone .............................................................6
Orienting the microphone .............................................................6
Connecting the microphone ..........................................................8
Using the microphone............................................................................9
Cleaning and maintaining the MK 4................................................. 11
Specifications........................................................................................ 12
Polar diagram ................................................................................ 13
Frequency response curve .......................................................... 13
If a problem occurs ... .......................................................................... 14
Manufacturer Declarations ................................................................ 16

2 | MK 4
Important safety information
Important safety information
• Please read this instruction manual carefully and completely
before using the product.
• Make this instruction manual easily accessible to all users at all
times.
• Always include this instruction manual when passing the
product on to third parties.
Before operation
• Never open the housing of the product. If products are opened
by customers in breach of this instruction, the warranty
becomes null and void.
During operation
• Liquids entering the product can short-circuit the electronics or
damage the mechanics. Keep all liquids away from the product.
• Solvents or cleansing agents can damage the surface of the
product. Only use a soft, slightly damp cloth to clean the
product.
• Do not expose the product to extreme temperatures.
After operation
• Use the product with care and store it in a clean, dust-free
environment.

MK 4 | 3
Important safety information
ENFRITNLRUZH ES DE
Intended use
Intended use includes:
• having read this instruction manual, especially the chapter
“Important safety information”,
• using the product within the operating conditions and
limitations described in this instruction manual.
“Improper use” means using the product other than as described
in this instruction manual, or under operating conditions which
differ from those described herein.
Instructionmanual
Bedienungsanleitung
Noticed’emploi
Istruzioniper l’uso
Instruccionesde uso
Gebruiksaanwijzing
MK 4
High quality
studio microphone
www.sennheiser.com
www

4 | MK 4
The MK 4 microphone
The MK 4 microphone
The MK 4 is a large diaphragm true condenser studio microphone
for very detailed, professional studio recordings. Its outstanding
sound quality, easy handling and excellent value-for-money ratio
make the MK 4 also ideal for project studios and home recording
applications.
Features
• Large diaphragm capsule (1“) in true condenser design,
internally shock-mounted for low handling noise
• 24-carat gold-plated diaphragm
•Ruggedmetalhousing
• Designed for studio and stage use
• Low inherent self-noise and high maximum sound pressure
level
• Made in Germany
Areas of application
• Speech/vocals
• Acoustic guitars
•Guitaramplifiers
•Grandpiano
•Strings
•Windinstruments
• Drums and percussion

MK 4 | 5
Delivery includes
ENFRITNLRUZH ES DE
Delivery includes
MK 4 microphone
MZQ 4 microphone clamp
Pouch
Instruction manual
Instructionmanual
Bedienungsanleitung
Noticed’emploi
Istruzioniper l’uso
Instruccionesde uso
Gebruiksaanwijzing
MK 4
Highquality
studio microphone

6 | MK 4
Putting the MK 4 into operation
Putting the MK 4 into operation
Mounting the microphone
1Screw the MZQ 4 microphone clamp to a solid and sturdy stand.
2Place the microphone from above into the microphone clamp
and screw it tight.
Orienting the microphone
왘To orient the microphone,
always loosen the wing screw.
1 2

MK 4 | 7
Putting the MK 4 into operation
ENFRITNLRUZH ES DE
To suppress structure-borne noise, you can optionally use the
MKS 4 shock mount which is available as a Sennheiser accessory.
왘Place the microphone from
above into the inner shock
mount cage and screw it
tight.
왘To orient the microphone,
always loosen the wing screw.

8 | MK 4
Putting the MK 4 into operation
Connecting the microphone
왘Use a microphone cable with XLR-3 female connector to con-
nect the microphone’s XLR-3 male connector to the microphone
preamplifier (48 ± 4 V phantom powering as per IEC 61938, at
least 3.5 mA per channel).
Pin assignment of the XLR-3 connector
CAUTION! Damage to the product due to an unsuitable power
supply!
An unsuitable power supply can cause damage to
the product.
왘Only connect the product to microphone inputs
or power supply units which provide 48 V phan-
tom powering as per IEC 61938.
12
3
12
3
++
XLRXLR
12
3
XLR
+
+

MK 4 | 9
Using the microphone
ENFRITNLRUZH ES DE
Using the microphone
왘Orient the microphone towards the mouth or sound source.
To eliminate disturbing noise as far as possible:
왘Make sure that there is no disturbing noise source (e.g. a PC
fan) in the sound inlet area of the microphone.
If sibilance occurs, position the microphone slightly to the
side and not directly in front of the mouth.

10 | MK 4
Using the microphone
Application examples
Popshield (e.g. Sennheiser MZP 40):
Windshield (e.g. Sennheiser MKW 4):
The windshield changes the sound only slightly, but attenuates
wind noise by approx. 10 dB.

MK 4 | 11
Cleaning and maintaining the MK 4
ENFRITNLRUZH ES DE
Cleaning and maintaining the MK 4
왘Only use a soft, slightly damp cloth to clean the product.
When not using the microphone for extended periods of time:
왘Store the microphone in a dry, clean and dust-free place at
room temperature.
왘For this, use the supplied pouch or a lint-free, air-permeable
packing material.
CAUTION Damage to the product due to liquids!
Liquids entering the product can short-circuit the
electronics or damage the mechanics. Solvents or
cleansing agents can damage the surface of the
product.
왘Keep all liquids away from the product.
Accessories are available from your Sennheiser partner. A list
of suitable accessories can be found on our website at
www.sennheiser.com > Service & Support.

12 | MK 4
Specifications
Specifications
Transducer principle externally polarized
condenser microphone
Diameter of diaphragm 25.4 mm / 1”
Acoustic operating principle pressure gradient transducer
Pick-up pattern cardioid
Frequency response 20 Hz to 20 kHz
Sensitivity 25 mV/Pa
Max. SPL 140 dB
Equivalent noise level 10 dB(A) (DIN IEC 651)
20 dB (CCIR 468-3)
Dynamic range 130 dB
Nominal impedance approx. 50 Ω
Min. terminating
impedance 1 kΩ
Power supply phantom powering 48 V (P48)
Current consumption 3.1 mA
Diameter 57 mm
Length 160 mm
Weight 485 g
Operating temperature 0°C to +40°C
Storage temperature −20°C to +70°C

MK 4 | 13
Specifications
ENFRITNLRUZH ES DE
Polar diagram
Frequency response curve
Hz
100 1.000 10.000
dBV
+10
0
-10
-20
-30
5020 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k 20
k

14 | MK 4
If a problem occurs ...
If a problem occurs ...
Problem Possible cause Possible solution
No function The phantom power
on the mixing con-
sole or phantom
power device is not
switched on.
Check the corresponding
setting on the channel
strip.
The phantom power
device is not con-
nected to the mains
or no battery is
inserted.
Check the mains connec-
tion or the battery of the
phantom power device.
No signal
transmission
The microphone is
connected to the
wrong microphone
amplifier input of
the subsequent
device.
Check the signal path.
If necessary, activate the
appropriate input on the
corresponding channel
strip of the mixing
console.

MK 4 | 15
If a problem occurs ...
ENFRITNLRUZH ES DE
Sound
distorted
Wrong input sensi-
tivity setting or
wrong pre-amplifi-
cation of the sub-
sequent amplifier
Reduce the input sensitiv-
ity or pre-amplifiaction of
the subsequent device so
that sufficient gain
reserve remains.
Wind influence Use a suitable windshield
(see page 10).
Plosives Use a suitable popshield
(see page 10).
Structure-borne
noise transmission
Use a suitable shock
mount (see page 7).
Sound
muffled,
spatial
Pick-up pattern has
been ignored
Check if the microphone is
spoken into from the cor-
rect side. Make sure that
the Sennheiser logo or the
slanted front of the sound
inlet basket faces your
body.
Problem Possible cause Possible solution

16 | MK 4
Manufacturer Declarations
Manufacturer Declarations
Warranty
Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG gives a warranty of
24 months on this product.
For the current warranty conditions, please visit our website at
www.sennheiser.com or contact your Sennheiser partner.
In compliance with the following requirements
• RoHS Directive (2002/95/EC)
• WEEE Directive (2002/96/EC)
Please dispose of this product at the end of its operational
lifetime by taking it to your local collection point or
recycling center for such equipment.
CE Declaration of Conformity
• EMC Directive (2004/108/EC)
The declaration is available at www.sennheiser.com.
In compliance with:
Europe EMC EN 55103-1/-2
USA FCC 47 CFR 15 subpart B
Canada Industry Canada ICES_003
China
Australia/
New Zealand

MK 4 | 17
Manufacturer Declarations
ENFRITNLRUZH ES DE
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada. Operation is subject to the following
two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful inter-
ference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received,
including interference that may cause undesired operation.
This class B digital apparatus complies with the Canadian ICES-003
Cet appareil numérique de la classe B est conforme à la norme
NMB-003 du Canada
Changes or modifications made to this equipment not expressly
approved by Sennheiser electronic Corp. may void the FCC autho-
rization to operate this equipment.

Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
Am Labor 1, 30900 Wedemark, Germany
www.sennheiser.com
Printed in Germany, Publ. 09/10, 540080/A01