Sennheiser
Sennheiser MKH 50 P48
Small-diaphragm RF condenser, supercardioid; symmetrical push-pull transducer, very low self-noise
Power Phantom 48 V ± 4 V.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Supercardioid
- Sensitivity
- −32 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 12 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 74%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 75%
- 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 88% 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.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.
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 spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.
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 on the sheets are with the -10 dB attenuator on. | ||
| 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. The manual prints "25 mV/Pa (8 mV/Pa) ≙ –32 dBV (–42 dBV)". | p. 2 |
| Self-noise | 12 dB(A)A-weighted; also 18 dB(A), attenuator on. The data sheet says "DIN IEC 651", the manual "DIN 45 500, curve A". | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 21 dBCCIR 468-3; also 27 dB, attenuator on. | |
| Max SPL | 134 dB SPL1 kHz; also 142 dB SPL, attenuator on. No THD figure given. | |
| Output impedance | 150 ohmnominal | |
| Rated load impedance | 1000 ohmminimum. "Min. terminating impedance 1 kΩ". | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 20 kHz | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V ± 4 VThe manual: "Phantom supply as per DIN 45 596", supply voltage "44 to 52 V". | |
| Current draw | 2 mA | |
| Pad | −10 dB"Values in () with attenuator switched on (–10 dB)". The manual: "Pre-attenuation 10 dB, defeatable". | |
| Connector | XLR-3Overview: "XLR-3 connector". | |
| Weight | 100 gapprox.. The 2008 manual gives 110 g. | |
| Dimensions | 25 × 153 mm"⌀ 25 x 153 mm": diameter × length. The 2008 manual gives "25 ø x 150". | |
| From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Capsule | RF condenser, symmetrical (push-pull) transducer, pressure gradient"Symmetrical transducer technology ensures extremely low distortion". The manual: "pressure-gradient receiver" (p. 15). | p. 1 |
| Low cut | off, on"Switchable roll-off filter to compensate for proximity effects at a distance of approx. 0.5 m"; the graph shows its effect. The manual (p. 15): "Roll-off filter ... additional 4 dB attenuation at 50 Hz", besides a fixed "Low-cut filter 12 dB/oct below 30 Hz". | |
| Finish | black anodised light metal | |
| Supplied accessories | MZS 40 shock mount; MZW 41 windshield"Delivery includes: 1 MKH 50, 1 MZS 40 shock mount, 1 MZW 41 windshield". The current quick guide shows the MZS 40, MZQ 40 and MZW 41; the 2008 manual lists the MZQ 40 stand adapter and MZW 41. | |
| Output | Transformerless, fully floating balanced | |
| Applications | Soloist's or spot mic where strong rejection of sound from the sides and feedback rejection are needed | |
| Recommended accessories | MZA 14 P 48 U battery supply; MZT 441, MZT 100 table stands; MZD 30 dual clip for MS stereo; MZB 415 fish pole; MZS 40 shock mount; MZW 41 foam windshield; MZP 40 popshield; MZS 20-1 shock mount; MZW 20-1 basket windshield; MZH 20-1 hairy cover | |
| From the manual (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
| Fixed low cut | 12 dB/octave below 30 Hz | p. 15 |
| Roll-off filter | Additional 4 dB attenuation at 50 Hz | |
Documents
- MKH 50-P48 Quick Guide, Publ. 07/26583989/A04
- MKH 50 P 48, RF symmetrical capsule condenser microphonedata sheet, Cat. No. 003109
- MKH 50 P 48 Bedienungsanleitung / Instructions for usemultilingual
- MKH 50sennheiser.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents), unchanged, with their original addresses. Each is © its publisher.