Description

Sennheiser MKH 418S Overview

The Sennheiser MKH 418S is a professional stereo shotgun microphone that employs the Mid/Side (M/S) technique to deliver a high degree of directivity and focus while accurately reproducing signals within the left/right stereo field. This makes it an ideal choice for capturing spatial audio in professional film, TV, and field recording applications.

Key Features

M/S Technique

The MKH 418S utilizes the Mid/Side technique, providing precise audio capture with extreme directivity and spatial accuracy. This technique allows for a highly focused pickup of sound sources while preserving the stereo imaging needed for realistic audio reproduction.

Dual Microphone Systems

• Mid (M) Signal: The mid signal is captured by an internal shotgun microphone with a frequency response of 40 Hz to 20 kHz. This microphone emphasizes the pickup of sound directly in front of the mic while rejecting off-axis noise, ensuring clear and focused audio capture.
• Side (S) Signal: The side signal is captured by a separate internal microphone with a figure-of-eight polar pattern. This microphone captures the ambient and spatial characteristics of the environment, allowing for accurate placement of sounds within the stereo field.

High SPL Handling

The MKH 418S can handle sound pressure levels up to 130 dB, making it suitable for capturing loud sound sources without distortion.

5-Pin XLR Output

The microphone features a 5-pin XLR male output, which sends the separate mid and side signals to discrete channels on a console, field mixer, recorder, or matrixing system. This allows for flexible processing and mixing of the stereo signal.

Phantom Power Requirements

Both internal microphones require +48V phantom power, which can be supplied via two Sennheiser MZA 14 P48 battery power supply units or any mixer capable of providing phantom power to at least two discrete channels.

Applications

• Film and TV Production: Ideal for capturing dialogue and ambient sounds with spatial accuracy in cinematic and broadcast applications.
• Field Recording: Suitable for recording natural environments and soundscapes with precise stereo imaging.
• Live Performance: Excellent for capturing live performances where both direct sound and ambient audience noise need to be accurately reproduced.

Summary

The Sennheiser MKH 418S professional stereo shotgun microphone is a versatile and high-quality tool designed for capturing spatially accurate audio in a wide range of professional applications. Its combination of the Mid/Side technique, dual microphone systems, high SPL handling, and dual-channel output ensures precise audio capture with clear, focused sound and realistic stereo imaging.