VO-BB - 20 YEARS OLD!

Ed Fisher

Recently, I picked up a used Sennheiser MKH 416 P48. An older one with some signs of use (which I actually felt good about, since the market has been flooded with counterfeits lately). I'm finding it an interesting experience.

On the one hand, it has a good sound. But...sometimes I hear a bit of "harshness" if I work it up close. I've never had the experience of feeling like I was "over driving" a Mic before. I have the Lawson L47 Gold, Gefell M71, Sennheiser 441 (hey, don't laugh, this was my "beginner" mic), plus other odds and ends.

Is this a characteristic of this mic...or should I send it in to Sennheiser for a "check up?" Anyone know what's involved with a "check up" these days? Or is the 416 so rock solid that sending it in is a waste of time?

Bruce · Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 9:10 am Post subject:

First, 416's do go bad. Mine slowly started to crap out so I sent it to Sennheiser repair and $90 and three weeks later I got it back, good as newish.

416's were built to pick up audio from 18 to 60 inches away (give or take) as boom mics for film and video. They do have a unique sound though when used closer in as a VO mic.... but not too close! Try 9" to 12" away from your mouth and point it down toward your mouth from several inches away from your head, kind of like they do in the movies. Don't talk into it. Talk across its audio pick up zone. Somewhere in there is the "sweet spot" for that mic for that purpose.

B
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Frank F · Posted: Sun Jul 28, 2013 2:05 pm Post subject:

Thank you Bruce!!!! Well stated.

Clutter Ash you now have a learner's permit for the 416.

Frank F
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Ed Fisher · Posted: Mon Jul 29, 2013 6:09 pm Post subject:

All very useful info. I appreciate it.

Of course, I knew about the movie/video uses for the 416...but practical advice from those who are using it for VO is priceless. Also, the 90 dollars sounds attractive. Particularly when you consider that their website is asking for $400.

Rob Ellis · M&M Joined: 01 Aug 2006 Posts: 2385 Location: Detroit

The 416 IME is very easy to overdrive or push too hard....you have to learn how to make it work for you. I of course don't know for sure without having listened to your mic, but getting some harshness from working it close is not at all unusual for a 416, and most likely is not an indication that anything is wrong with it.

I got mine in 2007 and it took awhile to get comfortable with it.

Ed Fisher · Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:31 pm Post subject:

This is encouraging. The fact that the 416 CAN be over-driven makes me tend to think (hope) that's probably what I'm doing. It just a bit unusual for me, since all of my other mics can take it "up close and personal.." I will simply have to learn how to "keep my distance."

heyguido · Posted: Tue Jul 30, 2013 11:40 pm Post subject:

Try whispering sweet nothings to it.

It's one of the things it does best. Wink

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