Mic Archive
Sennheiser MKH 40 P48
Photo: Sennheiser, from its spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.

Sennheiser

Sennheiser MKH 40 P48

Small-diaphragm RF condenser, cardioid; symmetrical push-pull transducer, very low self-noise

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Cardioid
Sensitivity
−32 dBV/Pa computed
Self-noise
12 dB(A)
Max SPL
134 dB SPL
Impedance
150 Ω
Rated range
40 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: 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

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.

Compare with other mics

All specs

From the spec sheet (Recording Hacks copy)
CapsuleRF condenser, symmetrical (push-pull) transducerp. 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-noise12 dB(A), DIN IEC 651; also 18 dB(A), attenuator on. Values in parentheses on the sheet are with the -10 dB attenuator on.
Self-noise (CCIR 468)21 dB, CCIR 468-3; also 27 dB, attenuator on. Values in parentheses on the sheet are with the -10 dB attenuator on.
Max SPL134 dB SPL, 1 kHz; also 142 dB SPL, attenuator on. Values in parentheses on the sheet are with the -10 dB attenuator on. No THD figure given.
Output impedance150 ohm
Rated load impedance1000 ohm, minimum
Rated frequency range40 Hz to 20 kHz
Poweringphantom 48 V ± 4 V
Current draw2 mA
Low cutoff, on. "Switchable roll-off filter to compensate for proximity effects at a distance of approx. 0.5 m"; the graph shows its effect.
Pad−10 dB. "Switchable pre-attenuation".
Weight100 g, approx.
Dimensions25 × 153 mm. Diameter × length.
Finishblack anodised light metal
Supplied accessoriesMZS 40 shock mount; MZW 41 windshield
OutputTransformerless, fully floating balanced

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Sennheiser, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on sennheiser.comRecording Hacks

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

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