The MKH 30 P48 from Sennheiser is a high-frequency condenser microphone with an omnidirectional polar pattern that delivers high-quality signal capture, wide dynamics, and minimal inherent noise. Equipped with two switches, this microphone allows users to filter out low frequencies and reduce the microphone level by 10dB when needed. Powered by 48V phantom power supplied via a mixer or audio interface, the MKH 30 P48 was specifically developed for MS stereo recording, where it functions as the S microphone, making the MKH 30 P48 ideal for capturing soloists and small instrument groups, while the included accessories help minimise unwanted noise during recording sessions.
The MKH 30 P48 captures signals with a flat, wide frequency response ranging from 40Hz to 20kHz, and includes a roll-off filter switch to reduce footfall noise and counteract the proximity effect. A second switch allows for a 10dB attenuation, useful when the mic input on a mixing console or audio interface can't handle the microphone's high output levels. With a maximum sound pressure level of 134dB at 1kHz, the MKH 30 P48 effectively handles dynamic signals, while its specialised high-frequency technology ensures impressively low inherent noise.
The MKH 30 P48 is crafted for high-quality studio recordings of soloists and small instrument groups, with a polar pattern that makes this model ideal as a spot microphone by effectively suppressing lateral sound sources. The MKH 30 P48 comes with the MZS 80 suspension mount, allowing users to securely attach the microphone and minimise noise during recordings. Housed in black-anodised light metal, the MKH 30 P48 is built for durability and long-term use, and additionally, its balanced, ground-free output operates without a transformer, significantly reducing distortion to an exceptionally low level.
In June 1945, Prof. Fritz Sennheiser founded the Wennebostel Laboratory, which initially produced measuring equipment. Commissioned by Siemens in 1945, the young company developed the MD-1 microphone, which was launched in 1946. After the development of further microphones, the company was renamed Sennheiser Electronic in 1958. Two years later, Sennheiser introduced the MD 421 dynamic microphone, which is still in production today and still held in high esteem by many sound engineers. Further groundbreaking developments, such as the HD 414 headphones and the classic MD 441 microphone, hugely enhanced the company's international reputation, eventually making Sennheiser one of the leading manufacturers of microphone and headphone systems in the world.
The MS microphone placement technique, invented and patented by Alan Blumlein in 1933, captures sound using a combination of a centre and side signal – where the side signal is recorded with a figure-eight polar pattern, and the centre can use any polar pattern. The side microphone is rotated 90° to the left: On the MKH 30 P48, the "+ side", marked by the two switches, points in that direction. For proper monitoring, the recorded signal needs to be converted to left/right stereo using a stereo matrix. To maximise the perceived size of the reproduced sound, a smaller recording angle should be selected, which can also be achieved by using a highly directional microphone for the centre signal.