Sennheiser
Sennheiser MD 409
Dynamic (moving coil), cardioid, flat rectangular side-address mic for drums, brass and instrument amps; documented here as the MD 409 U 3 (XLR version)
Approximate Some readings for this mic are uncertain; see the graphs.
Power None (passive). Low output: it needs a lot of preamp gain.
- Type
- Dynamic
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −58.6 dBV/Pa
- Among 311 mics: more output than 6%
- Rated range
- 50 – 15k Hz
vs 78 dynamics
More output than 16% of 78 dynamics.
Each stripe is one dynamic with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the user guide, p. 2. Approximate
"Frequenzkurve/Frequency response/Courbe de réponse"; absolute level: an arrow marks "1 mV/Pa" on one gridline and a bar marks 10 dB. "Meßabstand" (measuring distance) 5 cm and 100 cm. Room and smoothing not stated.
Approximate: reading error up to about 1 dB.
The manufacturer draws absolute sensitivity (dBV/Pa); shifted here by a constant so 1 kHz is near 0 dB.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
In practice
All specs
| From the user guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −58.6 dBV/Pa (1.18 mV/Pa)open circuit, 1 kHz, ±2.5 dB. "Open circuit output voltage at 1000 Hz: 1.18 mV/Pa ± 2.5 dB"; converted (20 log10 0.00118 = -58.6). | p. 3 |
| Output impedance | 200 ohmat 1 kHz. "Electrical impedance at 1000 Hz: 200 Ω". | |
| Rated load impedance | 200 ohmminimum. "Min. load impedance: ≥ 200 Ω"; "The minimum load impedance shouldn't be less than 200 Ω." | |
| Rated frequency range | 50 Hz to 15 kHz"Frequency response: 50-15 000 Hz"; no tolerance stated. | |
| Powering | none (passive)Not stated; a dynamic mic needs no power. | |
| Connector | XLR-3 male"3-pin XLR-plug"; balanced, low impedance. | |
| Weight | 180 gapprox.. "approx. 180 g". | |
| Dimensions | 55 × 34 × 134 mm"Dimensions in mm: 55 x 34 x 134" (the order of the three sides is not said). | |
| Supplied accessories | MZQ 100 quick release clamp"Extent of delivery: 1 microphone, 1 quick release clamp MZQ 100". | |
| Acoustical mode of operation | Pressure gradient receiver | |
| Wiring | 2 and 3 = moving coil; 1 and housing = ground | |
| Construction | Large-surface diaphragm; shock-mounted system; stainless steel sound inlet basket; gold-plated sound inlet; flat rectangular design | |
| Clamp | MZQ 100 quick release clamp with thread insert for 3/8", 1/2" and 5/8"-27 stands; unbreakable | |
| Front | The sound inlet side is marked "Front" | |
| Suitable cablesSennheiser | KA 7 U (XLR, 7 m, art. 1777); MZK 431 UK (6.3 mm jack, 5 m, art. 1606); MZK 431 UK-1 (10 m, art. 2108) | |
| UsesSennheiser | Percussion and brass wind instruments; instrument amplifiers | |
Documents
- MD 409 U 3 Dynamisches Mikrofon / Dynamic Microphone / Microphone dynamiquePubl. 5/86, 18588/A02
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Sennheiser, unchanged, with its original address.
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