Sennheiser MKH 416 P48

RF Condenser Microphone

The MKH 416 is a short gun interference tube microphone. Excellent directivity and a compact design, high consonant articulation and feedback rejection are ideal qualities for universal use in film, radio and television, especially for outdoor broadcast applications.

Polar pattern: Super-cardioid/lobar
Increased directivity due to interference tube principle
Very low inherent self-noise
Highly suitable for outdoor conditions
High sensitivity
Balanced, ungrounded output without transformer
Robust and suitable for adverse climatic conditions
Matte black all-metal housing
Audio transmission range: 40 - 20,000 Hz
Free-field idle transmission factor (1 kHz): 25 mV/Pa +/-1 dB
Nominal impedance: 25 Ohm
Peak SPL: 130 dB
48 V +/- 4 V Phantom power required
Weight: 165 g
Diameter: 19 mm
Length: 250 mm
Protective case included
Optional matching windshield: Sennheiser MZW60-1 Article Nr 133213 (not included)

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Available since December 1999
Item number 140591
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
Battery Powered No
Directional Microphone Yes
Stereo Pair No
switchable lowcut No
switchable pad No
characteristic ball, super-cardioid
Polar Pattern Circel, Supercardioid
Accessories Bag

€1,011

All prices incl. VAT

Sales Rank

in Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

Information on the disposal of old devices

A tried and tested mic for film audio

The Sennheiser MKH 416 P48 is a professional condenser shotgun microphone with a fixed supercardioid polar pattern, and it has been a staple in film production since its introduction in the 1970s, highly regarded for its reliability and outstanding speech intelligibility. The interference tube design improves directionality, enabling accurate sound capture even in noisy settings. With low self-noise and high sensitivity, the MKH 416 P48 excels at recording dialogue, making it the industry-standard choice for interviews, voiceovers, and cinematic scenes.

Condenser microphone Sennheiser MKH 416 P48 with microphone clamp

A mic with excellent directivity

As a shotgun microphone, the MKH 416 P48 features a highly directional pickup pattern that effectively suppresses sound from the sides, ensuring a clear and focused capture of the source it is aimed at. The mic has a supercardioid response with a shift towards a tighter lobar response above 2kHz. The MKH 416 P48 covers a frequency range of 40Hz to 20kHz and features a balanced, floating XLR output for clean signal transmission – achieved without a transformer to maintain a direct audio path. As a condenser microphone, it requires 48V phantom power supplied via XLR, which is typically delivered by portable mixers or field recorders on film sets.

Small diaphragm condenser mic Sennheiser MKH 416 P48 with windscreen

High-quality all-rounder condenser microphone

The MKH 416 P48 is ideal for film sound professionals looking for exceptional speech intelligibility and a dependable, rugged microphone for outdoor use. Measuring 25cm in length, this condenser shotgun mic is among the larger models in its category. Its durable brass housing and RF condenser design ensure reliable protection against humidity and moisture. With a maximum sound pressure level of 130dB, it captures nearby sound sources without distortion. Thanks to its robust design and technical precision, the MKH 416 P48 is a highly versatile microphone suited not only for dialogue, but also for Foley work and instrument miking, including hi-hats in drumkits.

XLR connection on the Sennheiser MKH 416 P48

About Sennheiser

In June 1945, Prof. Fritz Sennheiser founded the Wennebostel Laboratory, which initially produced measuring equipment. Commissioned by Siemens in 1945, the young company developed the MD-1 microphone, which was launched in 1946. After the development of further microphones, the company was renamed Sennheiser Electronic in 1958. Two years later, Sennheiser introduced the MD 421 dynamic microphone, which is still in production today and still held in high esteem by many sound engineers. Further groundbreaking developments, such as the HD 414 headphones and the classic MD 441 microphone, hugely enhanced the company's international reputation, eventually making Sennheiser one of the leading manufacturers of microphone and headphone systems in the world.

Targeted recording with a boom

The MKH 416 P48 comes complete with Sennheiser’s MZW 415 windscreen and MZQ 100 microphone clamp. The windscreen effectively reduces light wind noise when recording indoors or in partially sheltered outdoor locations like alleyways. For film productions, the microphone can be mounted on an optional boom pole in order to capture sound from a distance behind the camera. For outdoor shoots in open areas exposed to stronger winds, the MKH 416 P48 can be placed inside an optional wind basket with a fur windscreen for additional protection. Typically, the boom pole – often several metres long – is held above the head or at chest height, or braced against the body for stability during recording.

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59 Customer ratings

5 52 Customers 4 6 Customers 3 1 Customer 2 0 Customers 1 0 Customers

4.9 / 5

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36 Reviews

Sennheiser MKH 416

Alex Figueiras 17.05.2013

The 416 is one of the most common microphones found on-set for TV, documentaries, and amateur film productions. This is for good reason; the capsule is solid, with a rugged steel frame that's both light and sturdy allowing it to take a few hits on a busy set.

The quality of sound produced by the microphone is crisp and clean. The circuitry is well made; with no offset or buzz when fed 48v phantom power. When utilised as a sync microphone it performs really well, with nice isolation on the front axis.

A word of advice; this microphone's isolation is very, VERY effective, so much so that you may find you'll need some practice keeping it trained on the sound source if you're using it with a boom, before you get the sounds you're after.

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In love with this microphone!

TommySpanishVO 01.04.2019

A few days before receiving this microphone at home (delivery was super fast!) I didn't even know it existed. I was researching about microphones for professional voice-overs in home-studios with far-from-ideal acoustics (noise from the street) and this one came up. It turned to be the right choice for me. I've been asking clients for feedback on the sound of my recently upgraded home-studio, their answer says it all: excellent.

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The best.

pallermo 19.08.2019

One of the best broadcast mics for on-field use and shootings.
Professional sound, perfect with quality and durability.
I have 10 of these for years. Didn't had any kind of problem.
This is alfa and omega for professional broadcast sound and field work wordwide!

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Industry standart for a reason

Anonymous 08.09.2016

Microphone build quality is superb. Is perfect for any weather condition and it has far better response than Rode ntg 3. I use it with rode carbon pole and blimp mkII and it is very budget frendly high end sound recording kit.

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Sennheiser MKH 416 P48

RF Condenser Microphone