Preamp for sennheiser 416 (MKH416-P48U3)

[Michael Martin]

Sound devices makes nice hi quality compact preamps, here are two single channel models:

https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?ci=15272&N=4291081530+4294217007

-Michael Martin
Martin Media Designs
Location Sound/Audio Post Production/Sound Design

[Ty Ford]

Hello Bill and welcome to the Cow Audio Forum.

What applications do you have in mind for the 416?

Regards,

Ty Ford

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Watch Ty play guitar

[Bill Hammack]

We are using it in a studio as a boom mic(typical video is at https://www.engineerguy.com). We would rarely, if ever use it outside. In error I ordered a pre-amp with 18v phantom power – just an error on my part. So we have mic, but no pre-amp ….

[Ty Ford]

Hello Bill,

Couple different ways to skin this cat.

1. Just get a 48V Phantom Power Supply. (Don’t know what you’re plugging the preamp with 18 V Phantom into, but if there’s a mic input on it, that’d be all you need for basics.)
Like this one with a few extra neat features. https://www.turneraudio.com/pscuniversalmicpowersupply.aspx

If you want to save on batteries, here are several AC powered units. I don’t know anything about Sterling, but Audio-Technica is good gear.
https://www.shopwiki.com/_Audio+Technica+AT8801+Phantom+Power+Supply+48V?o=1032189899&s=3885&

2a. The Sound Devices MP-1 has a preamp and Phantom Power supply and it even has a nice limiter.
https://www.sounddevices.com/products/mp1master.htm

2b. It and it’s cousin the MM-1( with headphone output)
https://www.sounddevices.com/products/mm1master.htm

3. Now if you need to feed a mic level input somewhere, they won’t do because they both have line level outputs. For that I’d encourage you to look at their 302. It’s a 3 input mixer with a few more features than the MP-1 and MM-1. If you don’t already have a mixer this one’s nice. You can switch the outputs to either mic or line.

Optional Consult Item: As good as that 416 sounds, if that little room ring ever gets on your nerves, put up some sound blankets out of frame over any hard surface like a wall, even on the floor. Hang ’em on the wall, from the ceiling or over C-stands with boom arms. That’ll help, but if you want more, (and since you like the Sennheiser) get an MKH 50. The Schoeps is the killer mic, but it’s pricey right now due to the bad economy.

Thanks for stopping by. Hope this helps.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Want better production audio?: Ty Ford’s Audio Bootcamp Field Guide
Watch Ty play guitar

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