Sennheiser MKH 418-S RF microphone (directional/bidirectional (M/S arrangement), condenser) with 48 V phantom power and 5-pin XLR-M - 005284

Product Overview

The Sennheiser MKH 418-S is a compact M/S stereo short shotgun microphone that integrates a supercardioid/lobar mid capsule and a figure-of-eight side capsule in a single 19 mm diameter body. This M/S configuration captures both a directional mono signal and full stereo width information from a single boom position, with the stereo width adjustable in post-production by varying the ratio of mid and side signals. For film, television, radio, and ENG applications where stereo capture is needed without the logistical complexity of two separate microphones, the MKH 418-S provides a practical, mono-compatible solution on 48 V phantom power via XLR-5M.

Product Description

The MKH 418-S uses RF condenser technology in both the M (mid) and S (side) capsules, inheriting the same humidity tolerance and outdoor reliability that makes the MKH 416 suitable for location production in adverse conditions. The M capsule uses an interference tube to achieve the supercardioid/lobar directivity pattern, providing the same directional dialogue capture performance as the MKH 416 for the primary mono signal. The S capsule is a figure-of-eight transducer with side-facing lobes that capture lateral ambience information from both sides simultaneously. When decoded through a standard M/S matrix in hardware or in a DAW, the stereo width is continuously variable from mono (S level at zero) to a wide stereo field by increasing the S channel level—without any change in the physical microphone position. The decoded output is inherently mono-compatible, meaning the signal sums to mono without phase cancellation, a critical requirement for broadcast content that must work on both stereo and mono playback systems. The fully floating, transformerless balanced output maintains signal quality over long cable runs on location. The operating temperature range of -20°C to +60°C and all-metal body confirm the design's suitability for outdoor production in demanding environments. Dimensions of 19 mm diameter x 280 mm length are compatible with boom poles and zeppelin windscreen systems sized for the MKH 416 family.

Key Features

• M/S Stereo RF Condenser Design — Mid and side capsules in a single body for single-position stereo capture.
• Adjustable Stereo Width in Post — Variable from mono to wide stereo by adjusting the S channel level in a DAW or hardware matrix.
• Interference Tube Mid Capsule — Supercardioid/lobar directivity for dialogue isolation and ambient rejection.
• RF Condenser Technology — Humidity-tolerant for outdoor and adverse-condition location production.
• Inherently Mono-Compatible Output — Decoded M/S signal sums to mono without phase cancellation.
• Fully Floating Transformerless Output — Signal integrity over long cable runs in field production.
• XLR-5M Connector — Carries M and S channels simultaneously to a mixer or field recorder.

Typical Applications

• Broadcast studio
• Recording studio

Technical Specifications

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is M/S stereo and why is it used in film and broadcast?

M/S stereo uses a directional mid capsule and a figure-of-eight side capsule. When decoded, the stereo width is adjustable by changing the ratio of mid to side signals. For film and broadcast, the principal advantage is that the decoded output is perfectly mono-compatible—content sums to mono without phase cancellation, which is required when material must work across stereo and mono playback. A single microphone body also simplifies boom operation compared to a spaced-pair stereo configuration.

Q: Does the MKH 418-S require a special recorder or mixer?

The MKH 418-S outputs M and S channels via XLR-5M, so a field recorder or mixer with a 5-pin XLR input or built-in M/S decoding is required for real-time stereo monitoring. Alternatively, the M and S signals can be recorded to separate tracks and decoded in post-production using any DAW with M/S matrix capability. A 5-pin to dual 3-pin adapter cable is sometimes used with dual-channel recorders that lack native XLR-5 inputs.

Q: How does the MKH 418-S compare to the MKH 416?

The MKH 416 is a mono short shotgun optimized for single-source dialogue capture. The MKH 418-S uses an acoustically equivalent M capsule with an added S capsule for stereo capability. For productions that need adjustable stereo width for ambience and environment capture alongside a dialogue-quality directional signal from a single boom position, the MKH 418-S is the appropriate choice over the MKH 416.

Q: Can the MKH 418-S be used in mono-only mode?

Yes. Using only the M channel output from the XLR-5 connector provides a mono directional signal acoustically equivalent to the MKH 416. This allows the same microphone to serve both mono dialogue and M/S stereo applications depending on the production requirement and the available recording infrastructure.