Thank you for the actual sound comparison when it comes to quietness and how much gain we’d really need to match up to it. It’s so cool because I have a NTG-2 and I just ordered the MKH-416. I’ve been looking for a video like this. I thought it was an issue with my pre-amp or fear of turning up the gain, but when I heard your voice at one foot away, it all made sense!
I find the MKH 416 is way better than any mic I've had when it comes to plosives and "s's" This includes the TLM 103, SM7B, RE27ND, RE20, Stellar X2, X3 and the Deity mic S2. The sound is much richer than any of these mic's except the TLM103, but the TLM 103 is much more problematic with plosives and getting the right acoustics and mic placement. It's way too sensitive and resonant for my voice. I always need to equalize with all these mics except the 416.
Odd, I was under the impression that the Rode NTG2 had HIGHER sensitivity than the Audio-Technica AT897. I definitely favor the sound of the AT897 over the NTG2, though.
They all have their purpose. The NTG2 is a fantastic microphone that can be EQ'd to match the sound of any mic and it is a specialized microphone for those who don't have phantom power. So there's that. The only downside is the noise floor. It is a little higher than the 416 but not by much. Personally, the NTG2 is the best bang for the buck all around. If you can afford the 416, get it for mission critical jobs that you're getting paid for.
I am a newbie to the world of sound and would be grateful if you could answer a question: I record video on my Sony A7iii of streams and rivers and want to add high quality sound to the video. I can't figure out the equipment I need to accomplish this result. I could use a RODE Stereo VideoMic X which seems to be the simplest answer but many people seem to attach Zoom F6 devices to their camera along with mics and other equipment. What kind of configuration or equipment would you suggest buying if I want to add very high quality sound to my videos of streams and rivers ? Is the Sennheiser MKH-416 the right mic for the job ( I keep reading it is the industry standard but I am pretty sure it is unidirectional so will that be a problem if I want to record streams and rivers in nature ). Thank you.
I wouldn't refer to the 416 so often as a "top of a line" shotgun, there are many other more premium (and more expensive!) shotguns than the 416. Entry level professional perhaps might be how I'd refer to it? Wouldn't usually recommend it though for someone to buy it.
@Ariel Falk It is so called "industry standard" just like Sennheiser G3 get referred to as so called "industry standard as well", that doesn't mean it is anywhere near the best there is, or that it is even the best value purchase at that price point.
Exactly the setup I was thinking about for filmmaking. Right now I'm using the sennheiser me-66 with a tascam 70d and/or zoom h4n. Was thinking about the ntg-3 but now I hear so many great things about the 416. Do you recommend it for indie filmmaking? Great video by the way ;)
I'd strongly recommend against the 416 in your situation, you could save a lot of money by buying a Deity S Mic 2 (then put that saved money into buying a much better mic, such as the Zoom F4!) or spend a bit more than the 416 to buy a better shotgun like from Sanken or DPA
Am I the only one to notice a deep bass buzzing sound throughout the video? It lasts 5 seconds, stops for 2-3 and comes back again. It's driving me nuts! Nice video otherwise.
I don't like it that the sound level is much lower in your tests than when you're just talking. And the Røde mics are not the most interesting competition. I have the Sennheiser ME66 which is much more sensitive than the Rødes and much cheaper then the 416. So the ME66 and 67 would be the interesting ones to test the 416 against, I think.
Why would the ME66 be more interesting? That microphone is not even the same technology as the 416. Also, they are both made by Sennheiser at very different price points. They're not meant to compete with each other.
Because it's too obvious that the Røde mics can't compete. Nothing very interesting in that comparison. The ME66 would offer much better "resistence", I think.
I think you'd buy the MKH-416 and immediately get buyer's remorse when you realized it was making your life 'that' much easier. A lot of the noise rejection you want is more to do with BOOM TECHNIQUE than the mic itself. Train a friend up to be a great boom operator. and use the £1000 to take you both out for a drink.
I am using an H4N (not pro) with my 416 but it sounds very echoey. You can hear my dogs walking in the background as well (very sensitive). I mostly film at home so I wondering what I am doing wrong. Great comparison btw.
hmmmm, have you tested any other mics? this one is very sensitive and you really should turn it down to around half of the total h4n gain if possible, this means you will have to get the mic as close to you as possible (6-12 inches is ideal). Also using a shotgun mic in a small room will in general produces some echo, they are ideally used outside. I get around this by either 1. treating my room with sound pads/blankets OR 2. using a tool like Acon Deverberate to remove the echo.. hope this helps
The RODE NTG3 ... open it and you will be disappointed. It cannot be as the 416. NTG3 has teh capsuel at the middle of the rejection tube! Thus it is long, but the length used is the half (even some less)
1. you can't get rid of everything with a low cut and it would make judging it objectively hard. 2. This microphone is used in a lot of different environments on film and tv projects, most of these places are not in studios with rock wool and fiberglass insulation. If you want that type of microphone get a Neumann u87 or Shure sm7b or Electro-Voice RE20.
TheChosenOne Spoken just like someone who knows nothing about audio. I just love reading stupid troll comments from people who don't make content, like they know anything.....
David Harry I love how my comments attract the peanut gallery...people that have nothing else better to do but look for comments to comment on. How many comments have you commented on? Sitting around late at night, clicking mindlessly from video to video, pointing out people smarter than yourself and trying to negate their expertise. Move on kiddo.
TheChosenOne I never usually comment on comments, I'm usually creating content and doing audio/video work. Sounds like your comment to me is a reflection of what you do yourself. I still think it's funny as hell though, the way people like you troll posts. Although I am a little envious of you, having all the time on your hands.
Thank you for the actual sound comparison when it comes to quietness and how much gain we’d really need to match up to it. It’s so cool because I have a NTG-2 and I just ordered the MKH-416. I’ve been looking for a video like this. I thought it was an issue with my pre-amp or fear of turning up the gain, but when I heard your voice at one foot away, it all made sense!
One of my favorite mics ever. Durability is top notch and the sound is asome. You did a great job to test this mic correctly. 👍.
I find the MKH 416 is way better than any mic I've had when it comes to plosives and "s's" This includes the TLM 103, SM7B, RE27ND, RE20, Stellar X2, X3 and the Deity mic S2. The sound is much richer than any of these mic's except the TLM103, but the TLM 103 is much more problematic with plosives and getting the right acoustics and mic placement. It's way too sensitive and resonant for my voice. I always need to equalize with all these mics except the 416.
*Thanks for the great informative review 👍 ✨ ✨ ✨*
*Are you still using the 416???*
Yes for everything outdoors
Great review! Maybe you can compare it to a higher level Schoeps mic at some point. ;)
Which deity do you refer to?
Is your room treated?
The term, “ Industry Standard “ is well overused in the world of audio. In the case of the MKH416, it’s the truth. Great microphone!
Opinions are one thing and seeing it in every top voice studio is another.
Odd, I was under the impression that the Rode NTG2 had HIGHER sensitivity than the Audio-Technica AT897. I definitely favor the sound of the AT897 over the NTG2, though.
What stand do you use for the mic?
They all have their purpose. The NTG2 is a fantastic microphone that can be EQ'd to match the sound of any mic and it is a specialized microphone for those who don't have phantom power. So there's that. The only downside is the noise floor. It is a little higher than the 416 but not by much. Personally, the NTG2 is the best bang for the buck all around. If you can afford the 416, get it for mission critical jobs that you're getting paid for.
Best shotgun comparison ever! Thanks so much!
I am a newbie to the world of sound and would be grateful if you could answer a question: I record video on my Sony A7iii of streams and rivers and want to add high quality sound to the video. I can't figure out the equipment I need to accomplish this result. I could use a RODE Stereo VideoMic X which seems to be the simplest answer but many people seem to attach Zoom F6 devices to their camera along with mics and other equipment. What kind of configuration or equipment would you suggest buying if I want to add very high quality sound to my videos of streams and rivers ? Is the Sennheiser MKH-416 the right mic for the job ( I keep reading it is the industry standard but I am pretty sure it is unidirectional so will that be a problem if I want to record streams and rivers in nature ). Thank you.
I wouldn't refer to the 416 so often as a "top of a line" shotgun, there are many other more premium (and more expensive!) shotguns than the 416.
Entry level professional perhaps might be how I'd refer to it? Wouldn't usually recommend it though for someone to buy it.
@Ariel Falk It is so called "industry standard" just like Sennheiser G3 get referred to as so called "industry standard as well", that doesn't mean it is anywhere near the best there is, or that it is even the best value purchase at that price point.
Great video, I would like to know your thoughts on how an MKE 600 flairs when compared to the MKH 416, if you have ever used one. thanks
If you want save money get the same quality in a Mic on par with the 416, consider the Aperture Deity.
Great video review. Answered all my questions.
Are you saying the Aputure deity is more comparable than the NTG4+?
Exactly the setup I was thinking about for filmmaking. Right now I'm using the sennheiser me-66 with a tascam 70d and/or zoom h4n. Was thinking about the ntg-3 but now I hear so many great things about the 416. Do you recommend it for indie filmmaking? Great video by the way ;)
I'd strongly recommend against the 416 in your situation, you could save a lot of money by buying a Deity S Mic 2 (then put that saved money into buying a much better mic, such as the Zoom F4!) or spend a bit more than the 416 to buy a better shotgun like from Sanken or DPA
Top of the line would be a schoeps cmit 5u. It’s not uncommon for people to say the cmit is the best shotgun mic in the world.
Am I the only one to notice a deep bass buzzing sound throughout the video? It lasts 5 seconds, stops for 2-3 and comes back again. It's driving me nuts! Nice video otherwise.
Great job!
Does Sennheiser mkh 416 fits into Rode blimp system?? 🤔🤔
Yes I believe so just not a “perfect fit” like the rycote blimp
@@FilmIn5D and does this affect the quality of the recording?
@@PrabhatKumar003 unlikely
@@FilmIn5D thanks
Love it We dig it!
I don't like it that the sound level is much lower in your tests than when you're just talking. And the Røde mics are not the most interesting competition. I have the Sennheiser ME66 which is much more sensitive than the Rødes and much cheaper then the 416. So the ME66 and 67 would be the interesting ones to test the 416 against, I think.
Why would the ME66 be more interesting? That microphone is not even the same technology as the 416. Also, they are both made by Sennheiser at very different price points. They're not meant to compete with each other.
Because it's too obvious that the Røde mics can't compete. Nothing very interesting in that comparison. The ME66 would offer much better "resistence", I think.
Lau Bjerno really? Well, sound is subjective i guess...
I started out with a ME66, it isn't a good mic
I think you'd buy the MKH-416 and immediately get buyer's remorse when you realized it was making your life 'that' much easier. A lot of the noise rejection you want is more to do with BOOM TECHNIQUE than the mic itself. Train a friend up to be a great boom operator. and use the £1000 to take you both out for a drink.
nice haircut bro
lol
Thanks!
To my ear ...the Rode sounded the most natural.
This is a very helpful video; thank you!
No you don't need an MKH 416. You will only need it if you try it out.
The rode ntg3 is good as this mic
I am using an H4N (not pro) with my 416 but it sounds very echoey. You can hear my dogs walking in the background as well (very sensitive). I mostly film at home so I wondering what I am doing wrong. Great comparison btw.
hmmmm, have you tested any other mics? this one is very sensitive and you really should turn it down to around half of the total h4n gain if possible, this means you will have to get the mic as close to you as possible (6-12 inches is ideal). Also using a shotgun mic in a small room will in general produces some echo, they are ideally used outside. I get around this by either 1. treating my room with sound pads/blankets OR 2. using a tool like Acon Deverberate to remove the echo.. hope this helps
why does it cost 1600 CAD????
Probably low on stock, it’s still $1i in the US
Lots of low background rumble in the Sennheiser throughout this video.
If he was using the SD 633 rather than the H6 you wouldn't hear the low rumble
@@MrDubsake coulda used a low pass filter
The RODE NTG3 ... open it and you will be disappointed. It cannot be as the 416. NTG3 has teh capsuel at the middle of the rejection tube! Thus it is long, but the length used is the half (even some less)
yep much bigger than the mkh
indeed
indeed. And the MKH is more crisp, clear. Fundamental for distance, where air density attenutates the hig frequencies more than the low ones.
Tr@TORMY VAN COOL cmiécmié de la miékwe
Sorry, i don't understand your language. Can you eventually re-write it in English?
Oh my God the ntg2 was almost silent in the comparison test!👎
Doesn't make it bad, just needs more gain.
should've used a low cut filter on this video and room treatment. obviously this guy is not an audio engineer.
1. you can't get rid of everything with a low cut and it would make judging it objectively hard.
2. This microphone is used in a lot of different environments on film and tv projects, most of these places are not in studios with rock wool and fiberglass insulation. If you want that type of microphone get a Neumann u87 or Shure sm7b or Electro-Voice RE20.
TheChosenOne Spoken just like someone who knows nothing about audio. I just love reading stupid troll comments from people who don't make content, like they know anything.....
David Harry I love how my comments attract the peanut gallery...people that have nothing else better to do but look for comments to comment on. How many comments have you commented on? Sitting around late at night, clicking mindlessly from video to video, pointing out people smarter than yourself and trying to negate their expertise. Move on kiddo.
TheChosenOne I never usually comment on comments, I'm usually creating content and doing audio/video work. Sounds like your comment to me is a reflection of what you do yourself. I still think it's funny as hell though, the way people like you troll posts. Although I am a little envious of you, having all the time on your hands.