Sennheiser MKH 8040 User Manual

Instructions for use

MKH 8040

Contents

Important safety information ........................................................ 2

The MKH 8040 ................................................................................... 3

Delivery includes ............................................................................... 4

Putting the microphone into operation ....................................... 5

Connecting the microphone ...................................................... 5

Attaching the microphone using the microphone clip ......... 5

Using the windshield .................................................................. 5

Exchanging the microphone head ................................................. 6

Accessories ........................................................................................ 7

Specifications .................................................................................... 8

Manufacturer Declarations ........................................................... 10

Thank you for choosing Sennheiser!
We have designed this product to give you reliable operation

over many years. Over 60 years of accumulated expertise in the
design and manufacture of high-quality electro-acoustic
equipment have made Sennheiser a world-leading company in
this field. Please take a few moments to read these instructions
carefully, as we want you to enjoy your new Sennheiser
products quickly and to the fullest.

1

Important safety information

Notes on these

instructions for use

Before putting the

microphone into

operation

During operation y Water entering the housing of the microphone can cause a

After operation y Use the microphone with care and store it in a clean, dust-

y Please read these instructions carefully and completely

before using the microphone.

y Make these instructions easily accessible to all users at all

times.

y Always include these instructions when passing the

microphone on to third parties.

y Never open the microphone. If devices are opened by

customers in breach of this instruction, the warranty
becomes null and void.

short-circuit and damage the electronics. Protect the
microphone from wetness. Use only a slightly damp cloth to
clean the microphone.

y Do not expose the microphone to extreme temperatures

(normal operating temperatures: 10 °C to 35 °C).

free environment.

Intended use of the microphone

Intended use includes:
y having read these instructions, especially the chapter

“Important safety information” on page 2,

y using the microphone within the operating conditions and

limitations described in this instruction manual.

“Improper use” means using the microphone other than as
described in these instructions, or under operating conditions
which differ from those described herein.

2

The MKH 8040

The MKH 8040 is a high-end cardioid studio condenser
microphone from the modular MKH 8000 microphone series.
This series has the following features:

y Exceptionally low inherent self-noise prevents masking of

filigree sound structures
y Symmetrical transducer technology ensures extremely low

distortion
y Extremely wide frequency response for an optimum

resolution of the finest details
y Transformerless and fully floating balanced output provides

for easy connection at minimal distortion
y High sensitivity ensures interference-free transmission with

a high signal voltage
y Frequency independent directional characteristics for

minimum colouration in the direct and diffuse field
y Rugged metal housing with non-reflective Nextel coating,

making the microphone the ideal choice for in-vision use
y Compact design and small diameter allow the unobtrusive

positioning of the microphone, even close to instruments
y Modular design provides for easy exchange of the

microphone heads and the use of specially-tailored

accessories to suit every application

3

Delivery includes

1 x microphone, consisting of

– MKH 8040 microphone head and

– MZX 8000 XLR module
1 x MZQ 8000 microphone clip
1 x MZW 8000 double-layered windshield
1 x carrying case
1 x instructions for use

쐃

쐇

쐋

쐏

쐃 Windshield, double-layered
쐇 Microphone head
쐋 XLR module
쐏 Microphone clip

(thread adaptor included for 3/8" and 5/8" threads)

4

Putting the microphone into operation

Connecting the microphone

Connection data of the MKH 8040:

y 48 V (+/- 4 V) phantom powering (as per DIN 45596)
y XLR-3
y balanced
y 25 Ω impedance
y 1000 Ω min. terminating impedance

왘 Use a microphone cable with XLR-3 connector to connect the

microphone to the sound recording device. The sound
recording device must provide 48 V phantom powering.

Attaching the microphone using the microphone clip

왘 Select the suitable mounting thread:

– Without thread insert: 5/8" thread
– Thread insert: 3/8" thread

왘 Screw the microphone clip 쐏 to a floor or table stand.
왘 Place the microphone into the microphone clip.

Using the windshield

왘 Slide on the wind shield 쐃 to minimize wind noise.

The wind shield changes the sound only slightly, but
attenuates wind noise by approx. 30 dB.

5

Exchanging the microphone head

You can retrofit the microphones of the modular MKH 8000
series by exchanging the microphone head.

왘 Unscrew the microphone capsule 쐇 from the XLR module 쐋.
왘 Screw the new microphone head 쐇 to the XLR module 쐋.

쐇

쐋

6

Accessories

Cat. No. Accessories/Spare parts
502094 MKHC 8020: Microphone head, omni-directional
502095 MKHC 8040: Microphone head, cardioid
502096 MKHC 8050: Microphone head, super-cardioid
502098 MZX 8000: XLR module
502333 MZW 8000: Windshield, double-layered
502315 MZE 8015: Extension tube, 15 cm
502433 MZE 8030: Extension tube, 30 cm
502316 MZE 8060: Extension tube, 60 cm
502317 MZE 8120: Extension tube, 120 cm
502434 MZEF 8030: Vertical bar, 30 cm
502318 MZEF 8060: Vertical bar, 60 cm
502319 MZEF 8120: Vertical bar, 120 cm
502322 MZFS 8000: Floor stand
502323 MZG 8000: Swivel joint
502324 MZGE 8000: Bar connector, mono
502325 MZGE 8002: Bar connector, stereo
502326 MZL 8003: Remote cable, 3 m
502327 MZL 8010: Remote cable, 10 m
502328 MZQ 8000: Microphone clip
502329 MZQ 8001: Mini clip
502330 MZS 8000: Shock mount
502331 MZT 8000: Metal table stand
502332 MZT 8001: Table stand with acrylic base
502435 MZH 8000: Ceiling mount

7

Specifications

Pick-up pattern cardioid
Frequency response 35 Hz – 50 kHz
Sensitivity −34 dBV/Pa (20 mV/Pa)
Max. sound pressure level 142 dB SPL
Equivalent noise level 13 dB(A) (DIN 651)

22 dB (CCIR 268-3)
Power supply 48 V (P48) phantom powering
Current consumption 3.3 mA
Diameter 19 mm
Length 41 mm (75 mm with MZX 8000)
Weight 25 g (55 g with MZX 8000)
Temperature range −10 °C to +60 °C

8

Polar diagram

Frequency reponse curve

9

Manufacturer Declarations

Warranty

2 years

CE Declaration of Conformity

Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG declare that this device is
in compliance with the essential requirements and other
relevant provisions of Directive 89/336/EU.

WEEE Declaration

Please dispose of this product at the end of its operational
lifetime by taking it to your local collection point or recycling
centre for such equipment.

10

Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
30900 Wedemark, Germany
Phone [phone]
Fax [phone]
www.sennheiser.com

Printed in Germany Publ. 06/07 515895/A01