As a long time user and endorser of these wonerful mics, I saw this this morning - The new TWIN changeable capsule model that has just been announced. I am very excited about these:

Sennheiser to Introduce MKH 800 Twin Microphone at NAB | Studio Daily

Sennheiser: Sennheiser MKH 800 Twin

Sennheiser MKH 800 Twin - MacMusic


Cheers-

~skygod~

Heard rumors of these coming for quite some time. It is not a new model- the old Neumann Quad 69 worked in this manner. Each capsule has its own output. By working with gain and phase, you can create your own patterns.

Also, be aware this is the 800 and not the 8000... (just clarifying considering the thread title).

-Ben

That's really interesting. I've always liked the sound of the MHK800 and this makes it even more attractive.

I've been wanting a Soundfield or a Josephson 7 series for thier adjustable patterns. I don't always know a hall's acoustics. And some events have complex setups, i.e. orchestras with choirs, and with different types and size ensembles sharing the stage at different times during a program. The ability to zoom in or out, to capture more or less hall, side, audience, etc, is a dream tool that should help location recordists deliver more consistent results in spite of uncontrollable variables by moving those decisions into post production.

Yep, the MKH800 Twin isn't new news and depending upon whose comments you read actually is overdue for release. Or not, according to some others.

Multi output mics are not new either. The Soundfield mics and Neumann QM69 have already been mentioned, and there was also the AKG C424 Quad, and probably others.

The Pearl ELM-A mono mic and the DS-60 stereo mic, both of which give outputs from both sides of their dual diaphragm capsules are readily available current models.

Ah, so they finally released this thing. Couldn't happen to a nicer multipattern mic, IMO. thumbsup Like we didn't already have enough stuff to mess with after the session... heh

David L. Rick
Seventh String Recording

While we' (the dealers) have received the press release and pricing. We have yet to hear of ship dates of the actual mics. We'll try to keep you posted.

The new MKH 800 TWIN is available now (according to the Sennheiser Press Release).

I actually did a recording with this about three years ago (a very early version borrowed from the factory) together with an MKH 30 to give me 5.1 surround from just the three capsules - it sounded amazing.

This is a very versatile mic. if you start thinking about all the options:-

• infinitely variable pattern mic.
• The ability to add EQ and/or effects to the rear capsule only to correct room defects without having to do the same to the front capsule
• The ability to add delay to the rear capsule only
• MSM - Double MS rig
• etc...

In fact the 800 TWIN is not identical to the MKH 800 as it does have improved capsules I have been told.

Hi,
I work for Sennheiser. We will have MKH800Twins in stock in about 2 weeks. We will have them in nickel and nextel gray. As far as I know, the capsules are identical to MKH800, but we are confirming that.
Thanks,
Josh

Confirmed, capsules are exactly the same as MKH800.

Depending on what the polar pattern is set to, a Senn 800 can
function as either side address, end address or in between. It
might be usefull to decide what the polar pattern is before making
a recording.

So you used the front capsule left and right for the front pickup, and the rear capsule for the surrounds, left and right?

(if that makes sense)

The MKH 800 and 800 TWIN are both side address.

With the TWIN you can record the two capsules in seperate tracks and combine them at the edit choosing the polar pattern then - you can even add EQ or filters (for example) to the rear capsule to tame nasty acoustics without having to do the same to the front capsule. heh

The front left and right were made by an MS set-up of the front capsule and the MKH 30 (fig-8).

The centre was the front capsule only (it could equally be adjustable pattern by using the rear capsule as well).

The rear left and right were made by an MS set-up of the rear capsule and the MKH 30 (fig-8). In theory you could add delay to the rear and fig-8 used for the rear to move them back a bit.

Using the Schoeps Double MS plug-in with this arrangement makes things even more versatile - especially as this arrangement makes the capsules as co-incident as you can get.

For people thinking about using the Sennheiser MKH 800 Twin: I made a plug-in for Mac OS X, VST and Audio Unit, to handle the MKH 800 Twin signal. It does nothing more than what could be achieve in a DAW with appropriate routing, but it does save from using additional channels.
Ambisonic Studio | DSP800 Plug-in

And since we're talking about Double MS, I also have a plug-in to handle that, and although the input is adjusted for the difference in sensitivities between the Schoeps CCM 4V and CCM 8 (3 mV/Pa), the plug-in can be used with the MKH 800 Twin and a fig-8.
Ambisonic Studio | DMS2Five Plug-in

This page can be useful when dealing with microphones sensitivities
Microphone sensitivity conversion - sengpielaudio

And Sennheiser do have a page now...
Sennheiser Worldwide: MKH 800 Twin

- Daniel

"The MKH 800 and 800 TWIN are both side address."

Take a Senn 800, and talk into it, listening through headphones, while
changing the polar patterns, turning the mic from side to end each time.

Yes - that will clearly show that it's a side address mic.

Hi,

does anyone know if this mic has been released yet? I can't find it anywhere.

Thanks.

Yes, the MKH 800 TWIN *is* out and on sale; a friend just bought one and is using it in an MSM rig.

I suspect your and my friend is a mutual one, however he told me that he was very impressd with it and that it was the subject of a Audio Media review.

Regards


Roland

I placed a pair on order about 2 weeks ago, they said it was about 5 weeks lead time here in the U.S. I still don't know the exact ETA, but hoping that is is soon.

It seems to me that the positioning of the mkh800 for recieving sound on axis is different for each polar pattern. I say this based on careful observation. So setting the mic to recieve sound as a "side address" mic (because the diaphragms are pointing towards the sides), and then deciding on the polar pattern in post, would mean making a haphazard decision on the positioning of the mic.

Where does it say that this mic is supposed to be used on-axis...?


D.

How?

Surely, the operating axis of the capsule is defined mechanically by the design of capsule and mounting and, even though the angular performance around this axis will change with varying polar pattern, the axis itself doesn't change.

If the capsules/diaphragms are back to back, and neither is re-oriented in changing the polar pattern, then the polar axis remains the same regardless of polar pattern.

Whether or not the different patterns sound equally desirable on axis is a different matter; the 'on axis' angle doesn't change.

In a side address mic the diaphragms are pointing 1. forward and 2. backward obviously. Not sideways.

Side address just means the mic body is not pointing to the source.

However you could use the MKH800 as a side/side side address mic : then it becomes a stereo mic with two cardioid capsules at 180 degrees...

It seems to me that axis will not change, no matter how the audio is handled in post. But your point, about haphazard placement, is of course, something to note. I don't think that the features of a dual output mic are meant to eliminate proper placement, just more flexibility in processing or polar patterns changes. Haphazardness in the placement would not be due to the mic being side address in of itself, but due to operator error.

Very possibly - he wrote the review and was so impressed he then bought one. heh

Not at all - this is wrong - it's a side-address mic. and on the TWIN it is marked "FRONT".

Under no circumstances should it be used end-on.

That goes for the MKH 80, MKH 800 and MKH 800 TWIN>

Not unless it is the S mic in an MS pair. there its used "end on".

No it's not - it's a side mic. and pointing to the side.

It's not being used end-on at all.

heh heh heh

shit like that is so obvious ..
right on sinny!