Sennheiser Microphone MKH 800 User Manual

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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