Sennheiser MKH 8060, super-cardioid shotgun microphone

Sennheiser is presenting two new MKH series shotgun microphones that can be used either as analogue or digital microphones. The compact MKH 8060 is a versatile short-gun microphone, equally at home on or off camera, while the long MKH 8070 rifle microphone is a specialist for more distant sound sources and is the perfect choice for sports reporting and nature recordings. Both models feature a natural and very lifelike sound, as off-axis sound is attenuated without coloration. Their radio-frequency condenser principle also makes both microphones extremely weather-resistant, ensuring that they can cope even with climatically difficult conditions, such as extreme cold and moisture.


“For the new shotgun microphones, a natural, lifelike sound was very important for us,” explained Kai Lange, Product Manager Professional Wired Microphones at Sennheiser. “Sound engineers are often faced with the problem that gun microphones can color the sound if they are not aimed precisely at the sound source. This is a disadvantage particularly in interview situations, as the character of the speaker’s voice is altered. For that reason, the MKH 8060 and MKH 8070 are designed in such a way that the sound signal only becomes quieter if the sound source does not lie on the axis of the microphone.” This is particularly important when indoors where off-axis room reflections can colour the sound; this effect is minimized with the new design of the interference tube in the microphones.

Both condenser microphones work on the RF principle that Sennheiser has been using for 50 years and has developed to absolute perfection. The benefits are extremely low inherent self-noise, which means that even the finest sound structures remain intact, as well as high climatic resistance and low distortion with relatively high output signal voltages. RF microphones are inherently fully floating and balanced and do not require an additional balancing circuit or transformer to protect them from external interfering signals.

The MKH 8060 lives up to its name as a short gun: the microphone measures just 14.5 cm and weighs a mere 112 g (with XLR module), making it ideal for use as a camera or boom microphone. Its range of applications includes outdoor recordings, studio applications for film and television or as an audience microphone for mixing audience reactions. “We are setting a new industry standard with this microphone,” explained Kai Lange “It is compact, light, easy to handle and really has an exceptionally natural sound.”

  Technical data of the MKH 8060 short shotgun microphone

• Pick-up pattern super-cardioid/lobar
• Frequency response 50 Hz to 25 kHz
• Sensitivity –24 dBV/Pa (63 mV/Pa)
• Maximum sound pressure level 129 dB SPL
• Equivalent noise level 11 dB(A) (DIN-IEC 651), 23 dB (CCIR 268-3)
• Nominal impedance 25 ohms
• Min. terminating impedance 2 kohms
• Phantom power 48 V ± 4 V (P48, IEC 61938)
• Current consumption 3.3 mA
• Diameter 19 mm
• Length 145 mm, 178 mm with MZD 8000 XLR-module
• Weight 80 g, 112 g with MZD 8000 XLR-module
• Operating temperature −10°C to +60°C

 

Supply Scope

• Shotgun microphone MKH 8060
• Microphone clip
• Foam windshield
• Threaded transport tube
• User manual

 

For more information, please visit this products webpage.