Sennheiser MKH 8020 User manual

MKH 8000 Series Microphones
Sound
Discover the
Soul of

Sennheiser has taken its sophisticated MKH series of radio-frequency condenser microphones one step further: with the MKH 8020,
MKH 8040 and MKH 8050, the audio specialist is introducing three new high-end microphones that fulfil the most exacting
demands on sound quality and versatility. Extremely low inherent self-noise, an exceptionally wide frequency response for the
new high sampling rate digital audio formats and a very compact design make them an ideal choice for the most demanding
classical music recordings, for broadcast use and for stage & film applications.
The new MKH 8000 Series has been designed to capture the soul of sound, reproducing the music with an unprecedented
warmth and transparency. Without taking away from the unique clarity that MKH symmetrical microphones are famous for, the
new 8000 series has a natural subtle warmth that has to be heard to be appreciated. Voices will sound rich and detailed, piano,
strings and wind instruments will have that special “character”, while percussive instruments benefit from a fast attack
and a dynamic, powerful reproduction. The end of the year will see the launch of a digital module for the new MKH microphones,
taking their superb sound into the digital area.
With these unique microphones, Sennheiser has succeeded in creating a superb synthesis of sound aesthetics
and engineering perfection.
Sound With a Soul:
Sennheiser’s New MKH Microphones

Modular design: Extremely compact and elegant, the new MKH microphones have a diameter of just 19 mm
and a length of only 74 mm. Yet, they can become even more unobtrusive. The microphones can be split into the actual
microphone head, which contains all acoustic and electronic components, and the XLR module. The small
microphone head (only 41 mm long) is attached to one of Sennheiser’s special capsule remote accessories, while the XLR connector
module is attached outside the camera angle, making the MKHs virtually invisible on stage.
Special symmetrical capsule: The MKH capsules incorporate a symmetrical design with the diaphragm located
between the normal back plate and an additional, identical front plate. This design provides both acoustical
and electrical symmetry and is the most powerful way to eliminate transducer non-linearity and accompanied harmonic and
intermodulation distortion. Their unique symmetrical construction enables the MKH microphones to pick up subtleties in
the music lost to other microphones – for instance, the subtle harmonics in unaccompanied choir, the complex
sound patterns of a 12-string guitar and much more…
Extremely low inherent self-noise: While the inherent noise in conventional microphones tends to
mask quieter sounds and thus limits the dynamic range, the MKH microphones employ the unique principle of the radio-frequency
condenser microphone, resulting in an outstandingly low self-noise. The special capsule design reflects the frequency-dependent
response of the human hearing, and provides an excellent signal-to-noise ratio in the frequency range where the
human ear is most sensitive to noise. This results in small-diaphragm MKH microphones being quieter
even than most large-diaphragm condenser microphones.
Extended high-frequency response: The acoustic properties of the MKH capsule design enable the high-frequency response
to be extended beyond the limits of the standard audio CD format, enabling these microphones
to fully utilise the potential of new digital recording formats with higher sampling rates.
Accurate directional patterns: All directional patterns have been carefully designed for minimal deviation
from the ideal patterns over the entire frequency range. The unique technical design characteristics of the MKH symmetrical
microphone series means that the designer no longer has to make compromises between frequency response, polar pattern
and low noise – now he can have it all: wide frequency response, ultra low noise and a polar response close to the theoretical ideal.
Nextel®coating: All MKH 8000 Series microphones and accessories are coated with black Nextel®, ensuring that there
will be no disturbing reflections even in the brightest of film and television lights.
Intelligent accessories: A wide range of accessories enables the microphones to be used under many
and varied conditions of the most demanding classical music recordings, of broadcast use, filming and any stage application.
The accessories are suitable for stereo or dual mono applications and some of them have been designed to carry the audio signal
to enable even more compact microphone set-ups. A digital module that transmits audio signals according to the
AES 42 standard (24 bit, 192 kHz sampling rate) will be available from the end of 2007.
Features That Make a Difference

MKH 8020
The omni-directional MKH 8020 is ideal for recording large and
small sound sources, for a “Decca Tree” or for use in an OSS
“Jecklin Disk” array. As it does not suffer from a proximity effect,
it is also a good choice for close-miking. If the acoustic ambience
is right, this microphone will provide very impressive recordings.
The extra octave at the bottom end makes the MKH 8020 perfect
for recording pipe organs, grand piano and acoustic double-bass.
• Omni-directional pick-up pattern
• Frequency response 10 to 60,000 Hz
• Ideal for stereo and surround recordings,
as an M microphone and for ambience
MKH 8040
The cardioid MKH 8040 is suitable for almost any application.
It considerably reduces pick-up of a reverberant room. This is very
helpful in rooms with poor acoustics or when disturbing sounds
impinge mainly from the rear.
• Cardioid pick-up pattern
• Frequency response 30 to 50,000 Hz
• Ideal as a spot microphone and for surround recordings
MKH 8050
The super-cardioid MKH 8050 will give higher attenuation of
off-axis sound from the side than its cardioid sister model.
It is a good choice for recording soloists, where the requirements
for lateral acoustic separation are higher.
• Super-cardioid pick-up pattern
• Frequency response 30 to 50,000 Hz
• Provides optimum separation of instruments
Microphone Types

Accessories
An extensive range of accessories will ensure that your MKH 8000 microphones are always optimally positioned – whatever the
miking requirement, whatever their use. The accessories feature a slim and elegant design, and have the same
non-reflective black Nextel®coating as the microphones. All accessories are designed for handling stereo signals – either mechanically,
e.g. the clips, or electrically, e.g. the MZE extension tubes that carry the signal.
Floor Stands: A versatile system that can be tailored to your miking needs. All vertical elements are protected against coming
loose. A reliable solution for instruments and vocals.
Table Stands: Your ideal choice for the broadcast studio or lecterns at shows and special events.
MZFS 8000 Floor stand
Heavy design, insensitive to structure-borne noise.
MZT 8000
Classic metal table stand, sturdy and robust.
MZT 8001
Elegant table stand with acrylic base.
MZEF 8060 / MZEF 8120 Vertical bars
Available in lengths of 60 or 120 cm, standard 3/8” thread.
MZGE 8000 / MZGE 8002 Bar connector
Joins vertical bars with one or two extension tubes.
MZE 8015 / MZE 8060 / MZE 8120 Extension tube
Special bar that carries the audio signal. The microphone head
is attached to the front, the XLR module to the end. Available in
lengths of 15, 60 and 120 cm.

Pick-up pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . omni-directional
Frequency response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Hz to 60 kHz
Sensitivity (free field, no load, at 1 kHz) . . . . . . . . . –30 dBV/Pa (31 mV/Pa)
Sound pressure level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 138 dB SPL
Equivalent noise level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 dB (A) (A-weighted, DIN 651),
21 dB (CCIR-weighted, CCIR 268-3)
Output signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . balanced, transformerless, floating
Output impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Ω
Min. terminating impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 Ω
Phantom power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 V ± 4 V
Supply current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3 mA
Diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 mm
Length of microphone module . . . . . . . . . . . 41 mm (74 mm including XLR module)
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 g (55 g including XLR module)
MKH 8020
Pick-up pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cardioid
Frequency response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Hz to 50 kHz
Sensitivity (free field, no load, at 1 kHz) . . . . . . . . . –34 dBV/Pa (20 mV/PA)
Sound pressure level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 dB
Equivalent noise level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 dB(A) (A-weighted, DIN 651),
22 dB (CCIR-weighted, CCIR 268-3)
Output signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . balanced, transformerless, floating
Output impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Ω
Min. terminating impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 Ω
Phantom power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 V ± 4 V
Supply current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3 mA
Diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 mm
Length of microphone module . . . . . . . . . . . 41 mm (74 mm including XLR module)
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 g (55 g including XLR module)
MKH 8040
Pick-up pattern . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . super-cardioid
Frequency response . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 Hz to 50 kHz
Sensitivity (free field, no load, at 1 kHz) . . . . . . . . . –34 dBV/Pa (20 mV/PA)
Sound pressure level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 142 dB
Equivalent noise level . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 dB(A) (A-weighted, DIN 651),
22 dB (CCIR-weighted, CCIR 268-3)
Output signal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . balanced, transformerless, floating
Output impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Ω
Min. terminating impedance . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1,000 Ω
Phantom power supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 48 V ± 4 V
Supply current . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.3 mA
Diameter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19 mm
Length of microphone module . . . . . . . . . . . 41 mm (74 mm including XLR module)
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 g (55 g including XLR module)
MKH 8050

Technical Data

MZS 8000 Shock mount
Flexible suspension in a very compact design; effectively suppresses
the transmission of structure-borne noise.
MZQ 8001 Mini clip
Miniature clamp, ideal if the microphone is used with a remote
cable; 3/8” standard thread.
MZQ 8000 Microphone clip
Standard clip, included in the delivery of the MKH 8000
microphones.
MZG 8000 Swivel joint
Designed for desktop mounting in conjunction with the MZS 31
elastic suspension; carries the audio signal and provides the
connector for the XLR module.
MZL 8003/8010 Remote cable
Connects between the microphone head and the XLR module to
make the microphone extremely unobtrusive (ideal for almost
invisible use hanging from the ceiling); available in lengths of 3 m
and 10 m.
MZW 8000 Windshield
Double-layer design for efficient reduction of wind and pop noise.
MZH 8000 Ceiling mount
With cable guide. Adjustable for optimum alignment of the
microphone with the sound source.

521472 05/07 Printed in Germany. Sennheiser is a registered trademark of Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG. Copyright© 2004. All rights reserved. Subject to modifications.
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