Sennheiser
Sennheiser MKH 30 P48
Small-diaphragm RF condenser, figure-8; symmetrical push-pull transducer, the side mic for MS stereo
Power Phantom 48 V ± 4 V.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Figure-8
- Sensitivity
- −32 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 13 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 67%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 68%
- Max SPL
- 134 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 33%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 30%
- Rated range
- 40 – 20k Hz
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 79% 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 quick guide, p. 2.
Graph titled "Effect of switchable roll-off filter". 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 quick guide, p. 2.
Titled "Polar pattern and frequency response". Each curve drawn on one side only (125 to 1000 Hz left, 2 to 16 kHz right); taken as symmetric. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the quick guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Values in parentheses are with the -10 dB pre-attenuation on. | ||
| Sensitivity | −32 dBV/Pa (25 mV/Pa)free field, no load, 1 kHz; also −42 dBV/Pa, pre-attenuation on. Not stated by the manufacturer: Stated as "25 (8) mV/Pa ±1 dB"; converted: 20 log10(0.025) = -32.0. The older instructions give "≙ -32 dBV (-42 dBV)" (page 17). | p. 2 |
| Self-noise | 13 dB(A)DIN IEC 651; also 19 dB(A), pre-attenuation on. | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 22 dBCCIR 468-3; also 28 dB, pre-attenuation on. | |
| Max SPL | 134 dB SPL1 kHz; also 142 dB SPL, pre-attenuation on. No THD figure given. | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohm"Nominal impedance". | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmminimum | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V ± 4 VThe older instructions: "Phantom supply as per DIN 45 596", 44 to 52 V (page 17). | |
| Current draw | 2 mA | |
| Connector | XLR-3The switch diagram on page 1 labels the "XLR-3 connector". | p. 1 |
| Weight | 110 gapprox. | p. 2 |
| Dimensions | 25 × 174 mmalso [25, 150], older instructions. "⌀ 25 x 174 mm": diameter × length. The older instructions say "25 ø x 150" (page 17). | |
| MS stereo | With a cardioid (e.g. MKH 40) as M: Left = M+S, Right = M-S; MZD 30 dual clip for mounting the pair | |
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Capsule | RF condenser, symmetrical (push-pull) transducer"Symmetrical transducer technology ensures extremely low distortion". | p. 1 |
| Low cut | off, on"Switchable roll-off filter to compensate for proximity effects at a distance of approx. 0.5 m"; the older instructions: "additional 4 dB attenuation at 50 Hz" (page 17), for distances of 40 to 60 cm (page 14). | |
| Pad | −10 dB"Switchable pre-attenuation". | |
| Finish | black anodised light metal | |
| Supplied accessories | MZS 80 shock mount; MZW 41 windshield"Delivery includes: 1 MKH 30, 1 MZS 80 shock mount, 1 MZW 41 windshield". The older instructions list the MZQ 31 stand adapter and MZW 41 windscreen (page 17). | |
| Output | Transformerless, fully floating balanced | |
| UsesSennheiser | Soloists and small instrumental groups; the S mic in MS stereo; a support mic that rejects adjacent sources | |
| From the manual (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Subsonic filter | Low-cut filter, 12 dB/oct below 30 Hz, active whatever the roll-off switch setting | p. 17 |
Documents
- MKH 30-P48 Quick GuidePubl. 09/19, 583987/A01
- MKH 30 P 48, RF symmetrical capsule condenser microphonedata sheet, Cat. No. 002872
- MKH 30 P 48 instructions for usePubl. 04/04, 33238/A03
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.