Sennheiser MKH 416 Short Shotgun Microphone

Sennheiser MKH 416 Short Shotgun Microphone

The Sennheiser MKH 416 is the short shotgun microphone that has set the standard for film, radio and television sound for decades. Its interference-tube design focuses tightly on the sound in front of the microphone while rejecting noise from the sides and rear, so dialogue stays intelligible even in noisy locations. The Sennheiser MKH 416 uses a pressure-gradient receiver with a radio-frequency condenser principle, which makes it remarkably resistant to humidity, a quality that location recordists depend on when shooting outdoors in rain, heat or coastal air. Compact, rugged and trusted on productions worldwide, the Sennheiser MKH 416 is the microphone that location sound professionals reach for first.

Why Choose Sennheiser MKH 416?

Sound professionals choose the Sennheiser MKH 416 because it delivers consistent, broadcast-ready dialogue in conditions where other microphones struggle. Its short interference tube gives a hypercardioid pattern at low and mid frequencies that tightens into a lobar pattern at higher frequencies, so the voice stays present and natural while room echo and off-axis noise fall away. The radio-frequency condenser design keeps the Sennheiser MKH 416 stable in humidity that can silence conventional condenser microphones, and its rugged metal construction survives boom poles, camera mounts and years of location work. When a production cannot afford a second take, this is the microphone that crews trust.

Key Features

• Short shotgun interference tube: the Sennheiser MKH 416 focuses tightly on-axis for clear dialogue with strong rejection of side and rear noise.
• Radio-frequency condenser principle: a pressure-gradient RF design that stays reliable in high humidity where conventional condensers can fail.
• Hypercardioid to lobar pattern: hypercardioid at low and mid frequencies, tightening to a lobar pattern above 2 kHz for precise directional control.
• Broadcast-proven sound: a natural, intelligible voice character trusted for film dialogue, television, radio and documentary production.
• Rugged location build: a compact, durable metal body made for boom poles, camera shoes and daily location use.
• Standard phantom power: operates on 48 V phantom power from mixers, recorders and camera preamplifiers.

Best Suited For

The Sennheiser MKH 416 is best suited for location sound recordists, film and documentary crews, television and radio production teams, YouTubers and content creators who want broadcast-grade dialogue, and voice-over artists recording in treated rooms. It excels on a boom pole just out of frame, on a camera for run-and-gun interviews, and in any situation where the speaker cannot wear a lavalier microphone. For podcasters and streamers who want a professional shotgun sound at the desk, the Sennheiser MKH 416 also delivers a focused, room-rejecting voice that needs little processing.

Setup and Connection Guide

Setting up the Sennheiser MKH 416 is straightforward. Mount the microphone on a boom pole, pistol grip or camera shock mount using its standard mount, and aim the front of the interference tube directly at the speaker’s mouth, keeping it just out of the camera frame. Connect the XLR output to a mixer, recorder or camera preamplifier and enable 48 V phantom power on that channel. Position the Sennheiser MKH 416 as close to the speaker as the shot allows, since a shotgun microphone sounds best at short distances, and keep it pointed at the voice as the speaker moves. In wind, fit a foam windscreen or a furry windshield over the microphone to prevent wind noise from reaching the capsule.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Sennheiser MKH 416 need phantom power?
Yes. The Sennheiser MKH 416 requires 48 V phantom power, which is supplied by professional mixers, field recorders and camera preamplifiers.

Is the Sennheiser MKH 416 good outdoors?
Yes. Its radio-frequency condenser design is highly resistant to humidity, which is why location crews trust the Sennheiser MKH 416 for outdoor shoots in rain, heat and coastal conditions.

Can the Sennheiser MKH 416 be used on a camera?
Yes. It mounts on a camera shoe or pistol grip with a shock mount and connects via XLR to a camera preamplifier or an external recorder for professional interview sound.

Technical Specifications

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For a stereo shotgun option for camera work, the Sennheiser MKE 440 Stereo Shotgun Microphone is also available at Pro Audio Video.