Sennheiser MK 4 Large diaphragm microphone (cardioid, true condenser) with 24-carat-gold-plated capsule, metal housing, internal capsule shockmount and 3-pin XLR-M. Includes (1) MZQ 4 clip, and (1) carrying pouch

Product Overview

The Sennheiser MK 4 is a large-diaphragm true condenser studio microphone manufactured in Germany, using a 1-inch 24-carat gold-plated capsule derived from the acoustic design of the e 965 professional vocal microphone. It is built for project studio and professional recording applications where detailed, accurate capture of lead vocals, acoustic instruments, and broadcast narration is the primary requirement. The all-metal housing, internal capsule shock mount, and German capsule manufacturing standards position it as a long-term studio investment at a practical price point. The kit includes an MZQ 4 clip and carrying pouch.

Product Description

The MK 4's capsule is manufactured in the same clean-room facility used for Sennheiser's high-end condenser products, applying the same quality control standards to a microphone priced for working project studios. The 1-inch 24-carat gold-plated diaphragm provides the sensitivity, frequency extension, and self-noise floor (10 dB[A]) characteristic of large-format true condenser transducers. A 140 dB maximum SPL rating covers the full dynamic range of digital recording systems at both ends—quiet enough for acoustic guitars and whispering narration, and capable enough for close-miked acoustic piano and loud vocalists without a pad. The cardioid polar pattern provides natural rear rejection suited to project studio environments where room treatment is partial, reducing the contribution of rear-axis reflections to the recorded signal. The internal capsule shock mount mechanically decouples the transducer from structure-borne vibration transmitted through the mic stand and cable, providing practical isolation without requiring a separate external shockmount for typical studio applications. The full-metal housing provides RF shielding and physical durability. The microphone requires 48 V phantom power and outputs a balanced XLR signal compatible with all professional preamps, interfaces, and consoles.

Key Features

• True Condenser, 1" 24-Carat Gold-Plated Capsule — Made in Germany in Sennheiser's high-end capsule production facility.
• e 965 Capsule Acoustic Heritage — Capsule design derived from a proven professional live vocal condenser.
• 10 dB(A) Self-Noise — Low noise floor for quiet acoustic instruments and narration.
• 140 dB Maximum SPL — Full dynamic range coverage without requiring a pad.
• Internal Capsule Shock Mount — Mechanical isolation from stand and cable vibration without a separate shockmount.
• Cardioid Polar Pattern — Natural rear rejection for studio and partially-treated environments.
• Full-Metal Housing — RF shielding and long-term physical durability.
• 48 V Phantom Power — Balanced XLR output for all professional preamps and interfaces.

Typical Applications

• Recording studio
• Broadcast studio

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the relationship between the MK 4 capsule and the e 965?

The MK 4 uses a capsule based on the same acoustic design as the e 965 handheld condenser. The e 965 is a professional live vocal condenser with demanding performance requirements. Bringing this capsule design into a studio side-address form factor gives the MK 4 a pedigree that is relevant for engineers who already know the e 965 sound.

Q: Does the MK 4 require a separate shockmount?

For most recording applications, the internal shock mount and included MZQ 4 clip provide adequate isolation from stand-borne vibration. In environments where significant floor vibration is present—from HVAC, traffic, or nearby mechanical equipment—the separately available MKS 4 external shockmount (included in the MK4 SET bundle) provides an additional layer of mechanical decoupling.

Q: What recording sources is the MK 4 appropriate for?

Vocals, acoustic guitar, acoustic piano, drum overheads, woodwinds, brass, and broadcast narration are all within the microphone's capability. The 10 dB(A) noise floor supports quiet instruments, and the 140 dB maximum SPL handles close-miked acoustic guitar and loud vocalists without a pad.

Q: How does German capsule manufacturing affect the product?

Sennheiser's German capsule facility applies the same clean-room standards and quality control processes used for high-end professional products. This affects the consistency of diaphragm tensioning, gold coating uniformity, and capsule-to-capsule matching—all of which directly affect the microphone's frequency response, noise floor, and sensitivity accuracy.