Sennheiser MKH 418 S P48 U Instruction Manual

MKH 418 S P48 U

GEBRAUCHSANLEITUNG
INSTRUCTION MANUAL
NOTICE D´EMPLOI
ISTRUZIONI PER L´USO
INSTRUCCIONES PARA EL USO
GEBRUIKSAANWIJZING

MKH 418 S 7

English

MKH 418 S P48 U
MS Stereo Condenser Microphone

Brief Description

The MKH 418 S is an MS stereo microphone. Its high
degree of directivity makes the MKH 418 S the ideal
choice for stereophonic recordings for reporting, film
and television applications.
The microphone is designed for 48 V phantom
powering and operates using the RF principle. This
principle ensures high operational reliability, even
under extreme climatic conditions.
The MKH 418 S has two independent acoustic
systems for generating the mid and side signals. The
mid signal (M) is generated by a shotgun microphone
system. At high frequencies, this results in a lobar
pick-up pattern, whereas at low frequencies there is a
transition to a super-cardioid characteristic. The side
signal (S) is produced by a figure-of-eight capsule,
whose positive side is directed to the left. The M and S
signals are available independently at the microphone
output. The microphone is positioned correctly when
the word "TOP” is pointing upwards.

Features

• Excellent directivity

• High sensitivity

• Low inherent self-noise

• Rugged and suitable for adverse climatic conditions

• Matt black all-metal casing

Delivery includes

• Microphone

• Transport case

• Instruction manual

• Test certificate

• Document of warranty

Powering

The MKH 418 S is designed for 48 V phantom
powering. To ensure proper operation of the
microphone, the two channels always have to be

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powered simultaneously, even if only the signal of one
channel is required. If no 48 V phantom powering is
available at the microphone input of the subsequent
device, suitable power supply units must be
interconnected, e.g. two MZA 14 P48 battery power
supply units or one Neumann N 48 i-2 mains power
supply unit (both units are fitted with a 3-pin XLR
connector) or one Neumann BS 48 i-2 battery power
supply unit (fitted with a 5-pin XLR connector). The
MZA 14 P48 battery power supply unit also allows
direct connection to unbalanced inputs.
Also suitable is the MZA MS-1 (available from
Sennheiser UK). This is a battery power supply, with
5-pin XLR input and output, that incorporates an
MS matrix amplifier and microphone pre-amplifier. The
unit enables an MS microphone to output left/right
stereo and incorporates a ch-2 phase-reverse switch,
bass roll-off and adjustable level and width controls.
Output level is switchable microphone or line.
The MKH 418 S is connected via a 5-pin XLR cable.
The connector of the MKH 418 S has standard pin
assignment:
Pin 1 = Casing/ground
Pin 2 = M channel (+)
Pin 3 = M channel (-)
Pin 4 = S channel (+)
Pin 5 = S channel (-)

Accessories

The following accessories are available:

• MZS 20-1 Suspension/pistol grip

• MZT 100 Table stand

• MZT 441 Table stand

• MZH 60-1 “Hairy” cover

• MZW 60-1 Basket windshield

• MZW 415 Foam windshield

• Y-Cable AC 20 XLR-5F / 2 x XLR-3M, 1 m length
Please order from your local Sennheiser dealer.

Notes on MS Stereo Sound Recording

The MS signal format of the MKH 418 S provides a
particularly easy means of setting the optimum

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balance between the main information of the mid
channel and the spatial contribution of the side
channel. This balancing can even be performed during
re-processing without a loss of information if the
original MS signals were recorded.
The MS signal format is converted into the XY format
(ie: standard left/right stereo) by adding or subtracting
the signals according to the principle X = M + S,
Y = M – S. The proportion of the S signal influences
the spatial effect and should be chosen in each case in
accordance with the recording situation. In order to
avoid restricting the possibilities of designing the
sound impression, MS – XY matrixing in the
microphone was not employed.
If a matrix circuit is not available on the mixing
console, matrixing can be performed using the 3-fader
method (see diagram). The M signal is connected to

the first microphone channel and panned centre. The
S signal is connected to the second channel and
panned full left. Take an output from the second
channel and connect to the third channel panned full
right and phase reversed (via a phase reverse switch
or via the cable). (To set the correct S signal level - set
the pan controls of channel two to central, set the mai n
fader to normal level and set the correct level at the
preset. Then, set the pan control of channel 3 to
centre, set the main fader to the same level as channel
two and then adjust the pre-set of channel thre e until

3dB

L

+

+

-

R

S

M