Sennheiser
Sennheiser MK 4
Large-diaphragm condenser (1 inch, externally polarised), cardioid, internally shock-mounted capsule, no switches
Power Phantom 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −32 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 10 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 81%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 82%
- Max SPL
- 140 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 62%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 56%
- Rated range
- 20 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2011
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 60% 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.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet, p. 1.
"Polar pattern and frequency response"; axis labelled "dBV" but 0 near 1 kHz, so relative. 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. 1.
Each frequency is drawn on one side only (125 to 1000 Hz left, 2000 to 16000 Hz right); the pattern is taken as symmetric. Rings every 5 dB, 0 to 25. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | 1 inch (25.4 mm), 24-carat gold-plated diaphragm, shock-mounted internally | p. 1 |
| Sensitivity | −32 dBV/Pa (25 mV/Pa)Not stated by the manufacturer: Converted from the stated 25 mV/Pa (20·log10 0.025 = -32.0). | |
| Self-noise | 10 dB(A)"A-weighted: 10 dB(A)"; the manual adds "(DIN IEC 651)". | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 20 dB"CCIR-weighted: 20 dB"; the manual adds "(CCIR 468-3)". | |
| Max SPL | 140 dB SPL"Max. SPL 140 dB"; no THD figure given. | |
| Dynamic range | 130 dB | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohmnominal, approx.. "approx. 50 Ω". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmminimum terminating impedance | |
| Rated frequency range | 20 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938) | |
| Current draw | 3.1 mA | |
| Weight | 485 g | |
| Dimensions | 57 × 160 mm"⌀ 57 mm x 160 mm"; diameter × length. | |
| Supplied accessories | MZQ 4 microphone clamp; pouch"Delivery includes", with the quick guide and safety instructions; the 2010 manual lists the instruction manual instead. | |
| Acoustic principle | Pressure gradient transducer | |
| Temperature range | Operation 0 to +40 °C; storage -10 to +70 °C | |
| Housing | Full metal housing; made in Germany | |
| From the quick guide | ||
| Connector | XLR-3 maleConnector assignment drawing. | p. 2 |
| Optional accessories | MKS 4 shock mount, MZP 40 pop screen, MKW 4 windscreen | |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2011 | |
Documents
- MK 4 Instrument Microphone, Product SpecificationSP 1350 V1.0
- MK 4 Instruction manualmultilingual
- MK 4 Quick Guide587413/A06
- Sennheiser Electronics Corporation MK4 | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Sennheiser, unchanged, with its original address.
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