Sennheiser
Sennheiser MKH 20 P48
RF small-diaphragm condenser, omni, with switchable diffuse-field correction and pad
Power Phantom 48 V ± 4 V.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Omni
- Sensitivity
- −32 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 10 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 81%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 82%
- Max SPL
- 134 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 33%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 30%
- Rated range
- 12 – 20k Hz
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 95% of 104 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 27% of 110 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-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 (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.
Graph titled "Effect of diffuse-field correction". 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 (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.
Each curve drawn on one side only (125 Hz to 1 kHz left, 2 to 16 kHz right); taken as symmetric. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Values in parentheses on the sheet are with the -10 dB attenuator on. | ||
| Capsule | RF condenser, symmetrical (push-pull) transducer | p. 1 |
| Sensitivity | −32 dBV/Pa (25 mV/Pa)free field, no load, 1 kHz. Not stated by the manufacturer: Stated as 25 mV/Pa ± 1 dB (8 mV/Pa with the attenuator); converted: 20·log10(0.025) = -32.0. | |
| Self-noise | 10 dB(A)DIN IEC 651; also 18 dB(A), attenuator on. | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 20 dBCCIR 468-3; also 28 dB, attenuator on. | |
| Max SPL | 134 dB SPL1 kHz; also 142 dB SPL, attenuator on. No THD figure given. | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohm | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmminimum | |
| Rated frequency range | 12 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V ± 4 V | |
| Current draw | 2 mA | |
| Pad | −10 dB"Switchable pre-attenuation". | |
| Switches | diffuse-field correction: off, on"Exceptionally flat frequency response, switchable for near and diffuse field applications"; the graph shows the correction. | |
| Weight | 100 gapprox. | |
| Dimensions | 25 × 153 mmDiameter × length. | |
| Finish | black anodised light metal | |
| Supplied accessories | MZS 40 shock mount; MZW 41 windshield; pressure build-up ring | |
| Pressure build-up ring | Supplied; accentuates the high-frequency response (not graphed) | |
Documents
- MKH 20 P 48, RF symmetrical capsule condenser microphonedata sheet, Cat. No. 002857
- MKH 20 P 48 instructions for usemultilingual
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.