Sennheiser
Sennheiser MK 8
Large-diaphragm true condenser, dual 1-inch diaphragms, five switchable patterns, with pad and low-cut switches; studio vocal mic
Power Phantom 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 5
- Sensitivity
- −37 dBV/Pa
- Among 204 condensers: more output than 51%
- Among 311 mics: more output than 66%
- Self-noise
- 10 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 81%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 82%
- Max SPL
- 142 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 73%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 71%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
vs 75 side-address condensers
More output than 36% of 75 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published sensitivity, and each bar counts them; further right means more output. This mic is in blue.
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 61% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 75% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
Titled "Polar pattern and frequency response", panel for this pattern. The axis is labelled "dBV" but is relative (+20 to -30, about 0 at 1 kHz). Distance, room and smoothing not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the spec sheet, p. 2.
Each frequency is drawn on one side only (125 to 1000 Hz left, 2000 to 16000 Hz right); the pattern is taken as symmetric. Filter setting and measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | Dual-diaphragm, two 24-carat gold-plated 1-inch (25.4 mm) diaphragms, shock-mounted"Two 24-carat gold plated 1 inch diaphragms", "Shock-mounted capsule"; "Diameter of diaphragm 25.4 mm / 1"". | p. 1 |
| Sensitivity | −37 dBV/Pa (14.1 mV/Pa)"14.1 mV/Pa (-37 dBV)"; no pattern or condition given. | |
| Self-noise | 10 dB(A)"Equivalent noise level A-weighted: 10 dB(A)". | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 16 dB"CCIR-weighted: 16 dB". | |
| Max SPL | 142 dB SPLattenuation 0 dB. "142 dB (attenuation: 0 dB)"; no THD figure, and no figure with the pad on. | |
| Dynamic range | 132 dB | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohmnominal | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmminimum | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938) | |
| Current draw | 4.1 mA | |
| Low cut | off, roll-off 100 Hz, low cut 60 Hz"3-position switchable low cut/roll-off filter"; the table row reads only "linear". The graph legends on page 2: "Linear", "Roll off: –6dB/oct. @ 100 Hz", "Low cut: –18dB/oct. @ 60 Hz". The quick guide (page 1) names the positions "off", "roll-off, -6 dB/oct." and "low-cut, -18 dB/oct.". | |
| Pad | −10 dBalso −20 dB, second step. "Attenuation, switchable 0 dB, -10 dB, -20 dB"; "3-position pad switch". | |
| Weight | 485 g | |
| Dimensions | 57 × 160 mm"⌀ 57 mm x 160 mm": diameter × length. | |
| Supplied accessories | MZQ 4 microphone clamp; pouch"Delivery includes". | |
| Construction | Rugged metal housing; safely sheltered electronics; designed and made in Germany | |
| Temperature range | Operation 0 °C to +40 °C; storage -10 °C to +60 °C | |
| From the quick guide | ||
| Connector | XLR-3The overview labels the "XLR-3 connector". | p. 1 |
| Optional accessories | MKS 4 shock mount, MZP 40 pop shield, MKW 4 windshield | |
Documents
- MK 8 Vocal Recording Microphone, Product SpecificationV1.0, SP 1349
- MK 8 Quick GuidePubl. 03/25, 587474/A03
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Sennheiser, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.