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Sennheiser MKH 416 TU – Nothing But Whoosh-Sounding Static
I purchased a used Sennheiser MKH 416 TU — the 12 VDC European model — manufactured in early 2012. The seller assured me that the mic was working perfectly, but when I power it using a 48 VDC phantom-to-12 VDC TU converter specifically made for Sennheiser mics, the only signal I get it a whoosh-like hiss.
I’ve tried two different 48 volt-to12 volt converters, both specifically made for Sennheiser mics, and get the same result. I’ve changed cables — my cables are brand new, low inductance cables — and I’ve cleaned the contacts on the mic and the cable connectors.
When I power the mic using my PrismSound Lyra AD/DA converter/preamp’s phantom power, the mic comes to life as expected, but there no audio except the hiss. I can adjust the level of the hiss with the Lyra II. I’ve measured the phantom power from the Lyra, and it’s dead on 48 volts, and the output from both converters is dead on 12 volts.
I’ve watched a poorly-produced YouTube video about troubleshooting the MKH 416, and it says that the most common problem, other than dirty contacts, is the RF chokes on the mics final output. I could attempt replacing the RF chokes with new ones from Jameco, but if that’s not the problem, then what?
Any ideas?
Best regards,
John Drew
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7 Replies
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Your best bet is to send your T powered 416 to Pete Verrando for a conversion to 48v phantom. He’s the go to guy for 416 t power conversions, costs about $150. Do search for him on Google.
\”I push the RECORD button and hope for the best\”
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https://www.txsound.com is the best way to reach Pete Verrando.
\”I push the RECORD button and hope for the best\”
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Thanks, Eric. That may be the best route… convert it into a 48-volt 416.
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Here’s the direct link; https://www.416Tupgrade.com.
\”I push the RECORD button and hope for the best\”
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Thanks, Eric.
I emailed Pete, and he called me about an hour later. We spent the better part of an hour talking audio and microphones. It turns out that we have a lot in common in film, video and audio production.
He thinks that the connections to pins 2 and 3 were probably reversed so that the mic would work with a Nagra. Instead of me trying to troubleshoot the mic, he said that he’d simply convert it to operate on 48-volt phantom power, provided that there’s nothing else wrong with it. Turnaround time is only two or three days.
Thanks so much for connecting me with Pete. As you said, he absolutely knows his stuff.
Cheers.
John
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Pete’s one of the good guys. I’ve known him for a long time and I send all of our 416 conversions to him. Next time you talk to him tell him I said hello.
Eric Toline
Production Sound Solutions, Inc
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl\”I push the RECORD button and hope for the best\”
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Thanks, Eric. I’ll tell you said hello.
John
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