MKH 800 TWIN
Bedienungsanleitung
Instructions for use
Notice d’emploi
Istruzioni per l’uso
Instrucciones de uso
Gebruiksaanwijzing
Important safety information
Notes on these instructions for use
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.
During operation
y Water entering the housing of the microphone can cause
a short-circuit and damage the electronics. Protect the
microphone from liquids. 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).
After operation
y Use the microphone with care and store it in a clean,
dust-free environment.
Intended use of the microphone
Intended use includes:
y having read these instructions, especially the chapter
“Important safety information”,
y using the microphone within the operating conditions
and limitations described in this instruction manual.
y Never open the microphone. If devices are opened by
customers in breach of this instruction, the warranty
becomes null and void.
“Improper use” means using the microphone other than as
described in these instructions, or under operating
conditions which differ from those described herein.
2
MKH 800 TWIN
The MKH 800 TWIN is a universal studio condenser
microphone of exceptional quality. It includes a dual
capsule consisting of two symmetrical push-pull trans-
ducers with high linearity. This is a “side fire” microphone
with the two cardioid pick-up patterns of the transducer
aligned back-to-back across the axis of the microphone.
The MKH 800 TWIN is based on the MKH 800. However, the
signals of both transducers are not combined in the
microphone in order to generate differing pick-up patterns
but are available separately as two channels at the
microphone output. This allows the pick-up patterns of the
MKH 800 TWIN to be remotely adjusted. The signals can be
combined in any desired way in the mixing console in order
to create all pick-up patterns from omni-directional to
figure-8 with an infinite number of intermediate stages.
y The remote adjustability and the variable pick-up
patterns make the MKH 800 TWIN a universal main
microphone, soloist microphone or supporting micro-
phone.
y The pick-up patterns can be set and optimised under
monitoring conditions. In other words, it is not necessary
to fix the pick-up patterns definitively before recording.
y A wide range of mixes for stereo and surround are
possible (including in parallel).
y The saving of the microphone signals in two channels
also allows an unlimited range of mixes to be realised at
a later date.
y The high sensitivity ensures interference-free signal
paths as a result of high signal levels. The inherent noise
of downstream microphone amplifiers is thus of minor
importance.
y The very low inherent noise prevents the masking of
filigree sound structures. The depth of the acoustic can
be heard more clearly too.
y The high linearity of the transducers minimises the
signal distortions and ensures the transparency of the
sound even at high sound levels.
y The frequency response extends to 50 kHz, thus
improving the resolution for complex acoustic details.
y Stable pick-up patterns minimise sound distortion in the
direct and diffuse field.
y Negative acoustic effects caused by the housing and the
sound inlet basket are minimised.
y The small, slim design and the optionally dark housing
design (Nextel) make it visually unobtrusive.
3
Delivery includes
y 1 MKH 800 TWIN studio condenser microphone
y 1 MZS 80 shock mount
y 1 AC 20 adaptor cable
(1 x XLR-5 socket to 2 x XLR-3 connector)
y 1 MZQ 80 microphone clamp
y 1 Aluminium transport case
y 2 supplementary sheets with the front and rear
frequency response curves
y Instructions for use:
– MKH 800 TWIN
– MZS 80 shock mount
³
»
·
¿
´
³Sound inlet basket
·LED Front (blue)
»LED Rear (red)
¿XLR-5 connector of the microphone
´AC 20 adaptor cable
4
Putting the microphone into
operation
Connecting the microphone
The MKH 800 TWIN has been designed for a 48
phantom powering according to IEC 61938.
4 V
To power the microphone:
̈ Connect the XLR-5 socket of the adaptor cable ´ to the
XLR-5 connector ¿ of the microphone.
̈ Connect the two XLR-3 connectors of the adaptor cable
´ to the corresponding sockets of your mixing console.
̈ Switch on the phantom powering on your mixing
console.
The LEDs · and » on the microphone light up.
Aligning the microphone
The front of the microphone is marked by the word “Front”
and a blue LED · whereas the rear is marked by a red
LED ».
The LEDs can be used for aligning the microphone. On-axis
alignment is indicated by maximum brightness.
Function monitoring
The two LEDs Front · and Rear » indicate operational
readiness separately for both channels. The LEDs go off if
the supply voltage drops below 42 V.
Mounting the microphone to a stand
The supplied MZS 80 shock mount allows the MKH 800
TWIN to be mounted to a stand and effectively protects
against structure-borne noise.
To mount the microphone to a stand:
̈ Select the suitable mounting thread:
– Without thread insert: 5/8" thread
– With thread insert: 3/8" thread
²
̈ Screw the shock mount ² to a stand.
̈ Pass the cable through the cable grip
as shown.
̈ Place the microphone into the shock
mount ² as shown.
5
Attaching the windshield
Pop noises resulting from close miking can be suppressed
effectively using the optional MZW 80-ANT windshield or
the optional MZP 40 popperstopper (see “Accessories and
spare parts” on page 9).
To attach the windshield:
̈ Slide on the windshield onto the sound inlet basket ³.
To attach the popperstopper:
̈ Attach the gooseneck of the popperstopper to the stand.
The popperstopper changes the sound only slightly.
Remote adjustment of the pick-up patterns
The two signals of the MKH 800 TWIN allow the remote
adjustment of the pick-up patterns at the mixing console.
The two microphone signals (front and rear) are routed to
separate channels and summed together. The sum signal is
then distributed over the stereo channels as usual using the
pan control.
̈ The pan control of both channels has to be aligned
identically for correct operation.
Pick-up pattern
Setting
Omni-directional
̈ Set the amplification to the same
value in both channels.
5
0
5
0
-
-
5
5
Wide cardioid*
̈ Set the amplification in the rear
channel lower than in the front
channel.
5
0
5
0
-
-
5
5
-
-
10
10
-15
-15
-
-
30
30
Cardioid
̈ Activate the front channel only.
5
0
5
0
-
-
5
5
-
-
10
10
-15
-15
-
-
-
-
-
-
30
40
30
40
6
Pick-up pattern
Setting
Figure-8
̈ Set the amplification to the same
value in both channels.
5
0
5
0
-
-
5
5
̈ Invert the phase of the rear
channel.
Phase
Super-cardioid**
̈ Set the amplification in the rear
channel lower than in the front
channel.
5
0
5
0
-
-
5
5
-
-
10
10
-15
-15
-
-
30
30
̈ Invert the phase of the rear
channel.
Phase
*Wide cardioid:
Pattern between omni-directional and cardioid
The wide cardioid pattern of the MKH 800 is, for example,
the result if the rear channel has 10 dB less amplification
than the front channel. The pick-up pattern becomes more
omni-directional at higher amplification and more cardioid
at lower amplification.
At the same time, the rear attenuation (180° attenuation)
of the microphone changes. It is the direct result of the
amplification ratio between the front and the rear channel,
i.e. 10 dB in the example of the wide cardioid pattern.
**Super-cardioid:
Pattern between cardioid and figure-8
The super-cardioid pattern of the MKH 800 is, for example,
the result if the amplification of the rear channel is 10 dB
lower than that of the front channel and if the phase of
the rear channel is inverted. At higher amplification, the
pick-up pattern tends towards the figure-8 pattern,
otherwise the pattern becomes more cardioid.
The cancellation angle at which the microphone is
especially insensitive also changes. It is 180° in the case of
the cardioid pattern, 120° for the super-cardioid pattern
and 90° for the figure-8 pattern. If the MKH 800 TWIN is
used as a supporting microphone, the attenuation
between different groups of instruments in an orchestra
can for example be optimised in this way. Here, too, the
rear attenuation is the result of the amplification ratio
between the front and the rear channel, i.e. 10 dB in the
case of the super-cardioid pattern.
7
Changing the pick-up pattern
There are two different ways of changing the pick-up
pattern of the microphone.
If the microphone level has to be changed infrequently:
̈ At the mixing console, set the preamplification to the
same value in both channels.
̈ Vary the pick-up pattern by using the level control and
the phase switch of the rear channel.
The level control of the front channel stays in the same
position.
If the microphone level has to be changed frequently:
̈ At the mixing console, set the level controls to the same
value and couple them mechanically or electrically.
̈ Change the pick-up pattern by using the pre-set gain
control and the phase switch of the rear channel.
Surround applications
As a result of the symmetry of the microphone, it is also
possible to create any desired rear pick-up pattern. For this
purpose the microphone signals are additionally routed to
two other channels, whereby front and rear channel
exchange roles. The settings are then made in the same
way as described above and the rear pick-up patterns can
be freely selected. Both pick-up patterns are then available
simultaneously, for example for a surround front channel
and a surround rear channel. With two MKH 800 TWIN, four
surround channels can be created in this way.
If only the cardioid pick-up pattern is required for the front
and rear channels, the microphone signals can also be used
directly. This minimises the necessary effort.
With an MKH 800 TWIN and a figure-8 microphone (e.g.
MKH 30) full surround-sound recording using the double
MS technique (MSM) can be done. As is common with the
MS technique, the figure-8 microphone is positioned above
the MKH 800 TWIN and directed to the left. The front and
rear left and right surround channels are produced by
matrixing the figure-8 signal and the front and rear signals
of the MKH 800 TWIN.
By combining the front and rear signals of the
MKH 800 TWIN, a centre channel with any pick-up pattern
can be achieved and even a centre rear channel is possible
if required. In spite of the wide range of options, post-
production still only requires the original microphone
signals to be saved, i.e. only three signals for five or six
surround channels.
8
Care and maintenance
CAUTION!
Liquids can damage the microphone!
Liquids entering the microphone can cause
a short-circuit in the electronics and
damage the microphone capsule.
̈ Do not use any solvents or cleansing
agents.
̈ Use a soft, slightly damp cloth to clean the microphone
from time to time.
Accessories and spare parts
Cat. No. Accessory/Spare part
003132 MZP 40 popperstopper
003780 MZW 80-ANT foam windshield
003685 MZS 80 shock mount
050174 MZQ 80 microphone clamp
006595 AC 20 adaptor cable
9
Specifications
Short description
Dual diaphragm RF condenser
microphone with separate
outputs for both capsules
Pick-up pattern
2 x cardioid
Frequency response
30–50,000 Hz
Sensitivity (no load)
at 1000 Hz
40 mV/Pa (–28 dBV) 1 dB
Output impedance
at 1000 Hz
100 Ω
Max. SPL at 1000 Hz
Max. output voltage
Min. load impedance
Equivalent noise level
134 dB (100 Pa)
4 V
2 kΩ
12 dB (A-weighted)
20 dB (CCIR-weighted)
Noise voltage
3 μV (A-weighted)
8 μV (CCIR-weighted)
Dynamic range
122 dB (A-weighted)
114 dB (CCIR-weighted)
Power supply
P48 phantom powering
48 4 V
Supply voltage
Supply current
Connector
2 x 3.1 mA
XLR-5M
Connector assignment
3
4
2
1
5
1: Ground/housing
2: Front channel: (+)
3: Front channel: (–)
4: Rear channel: (+)
5: Rear channel: (–)
Dimensions
Weight
∅ 27 mm x 136 mm
172 g
Storage temperature
range
–20 °C to +70 °C
10
Polar diagram and frequency response curve
Polar diagram
0°
0
30°
30°
5
10
15
20
25
dB
60°
60°
90°
90°
120°
120°
125 Hz
250 Hz
4000 Hz
8000 Hz
150°
150°
500 Hz
16000 Hz
32000 Hz
180°
1000 Hz
2000 Hz
The polar diagrams of both channels only differ in the
opposite alignment 0°/180°.
Frequency response curve
dB
+20
+15
+10
+5
0
-5
-10
-15
-20
30
50
100
200
500
1000
2000
5000
10000 20000
50000 Hz
11
Manufacturer Declarations
Warranty
2 years
CE Declaration of Conformity
Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG declare that
this equipment is in compliance with the essential
requirements and other relevant provisions of
Directive 2004/108/EC.
The declaration is available on the internet site at
WEEE Declaration
Please dispose of this product at the end of its
operational lifetime by bringing it to your local
collection point or recycling centre for such
equipment.
Statements regarding FCC and industry Canada
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules and with
RSS-210 of Industry Canada.
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with
the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of
the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide
reasonable protection against harmful interference in a
residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and
can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and
used in accordance with the instructions, may cause
harmful interference to radio communications. However,
there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a
particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be
determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user
is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or
more of the following measures:
1. Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
2. Increase the separation between the equipment and
receiver.
3. Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit
different from that to which the receiver is connected.
4. Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician
for help.
This class B digital apparatus complies with the Canadian
ICES-003.
Warning: Changes or modifications made to this equipment
not expressly approved by Sennheiser electronic Corp. may
void the FCC authorization to operate this equipment.
12
Sennheiser electronic GmbH & Co. KG
Am Labor 1
30900 Wedemark, Germany
Phone +49 (5130) 600 0
Fax +49 (5130) 600 300
Printed in Germany
Publ. 10/07
524137/A01
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