KH 8020 Omni Capsule New MKH Series from Sennheiser

The sound recording technology that Telarc uses typically stays a decade ahead of the rest of the industry. Indeed, as the industry has finally come to embrace the 24-bit, 96kHz or 192kHz PCM formats that Telarc trail-blazed years ago, the company has moved on to Direct Stream Digital (DSD) technology. In either case, Grammy Award-winning Telarc sound engineer Robert Friedrich has relied on the 50kHz frequency response of the Sennheiser MKH 800 and, more recently, on the 60kHz frequency response of the Sennheiser MKH 8020 to faithfully convey meaningful harmonic content in the ultrasonic range that is recorded by DSD and higher PCM sampling rates. The Sennheiser MKH 800 is capable of responding in any of five selectable pick-up patterns, Friedrich used a spaced pair in omni mode as the main stereo pickup with additional MKH 800s out in the hall for surround and ambience. The Sennheiser MKH 8000 Series consists of a small mic body with three modular capsules that may be purchased separately: the 8020 omni, the 8040 cardioid, and the 8050 super-cardioid. Friedrich used two Sennheiser MKH 8020s as outriggers…

Telarc Aims Higher With The Sennheiser Mkh 8000 Series

In the world of high-fidelity sound and cutting edge recording technology, no record label compares with Telarc International. Their engineers scour the planet for the very best tools and methodologies for capturing “The Telarc Sound,” which seeks to deliver recordings that are so transparent and realistic, they are indistinguishable from the live event. The sound recording technology that Telarc uses typically stays a decade ahead of the rest of the industry. Indeed, as the industry has finally come to embrace the 24-bit, 96kHz or 192kHz PCM formats that Telarc trail-blazed years ago, the company has moved on to Direct Stream Digital (DSD) technology. In either case, Grammy Award-winning Telarc sound engineer Robert Friedrich has relied on the 50kHz frequency response of the Sennheiser MKH 800 and, more recently, on the 60kHz frequency response of the Sennheiser MKH 8020 to faithfully convey meaningful harmonic content in the ultrasonic range that is recorded by DSD and higher PCM sampling rates.

Sennheiser MKH 8020 omni capsule

The Sennheiser MKH 8020 omni capsule.
Friedrich recently used both microphones in London during a recording of the Philharmonia performing Bruckner’s 5th Symphony. Although the Sennheiser MKH 800 is capable of responding in any of five selectable pick-up patterns, Friedrich used a spaced pair in omni mode as the main stereo pickup with additional MKH 800s out in the hall for surround and ambience. The Sennheiser MKH 8000 Series consists of a small mic body with three modular capsules that may be purchased separately: the 8020 omni, the 8040 cardioid, and the 8050 super-cardioid. Friedrich used two Sennheiser MKH 8020s as outriggers.

“It’s a fantastic recording,” Friedrich noted, “I was especially pleased with the natural sound of the brass instruments, and it was obvious that the mics contributed to that. It was my first experience with the MKH 8020s. I’ve had a lot more experience with the MKH 800s, which have been a staple component of my technique for some time now. I love their utter transparency and smooth top-end. Since we’re recording with up to 100kHz bandwidth, the added frequency response in the mics helps a lot.” Friedrich uses UpState Audio’s Sonic Lens pres for a flat frequency response from near DC to 270kHz.

The Sennheiser MKH 8020s saw additional use on a recent John Pizzarelli session at Legacy Recording Studios in Manhattan, where Friedrich used a spaced pair to record piano. “They’re a very different sounding microphone,” he said. “The piano came out with a particularly rich, robust sound. The high-end has a silvery sheen that I would still describe as transparent and natural. I’ve also noticed that when I use the MKH 8020 in front of an ensemble, it has tremendous reach deep into the sound. The MKH Series were the right tools for these recording.”

SENNHEISER
Sennheiser is a world-leading manufacturer of microphones, headphones and wireless transmission systems. Established in 1945 in Wedemark, Germany, Sennheiser is now a global brand represented in sixty countries around the world through long-term distribution partners and subsidiaries in France, UK, Belgium, the Netherlands, Denmark, Russia, Hong Kong, India, Singapore, Japan, China, Canada, Mexico and the USA. Sennheiser’s technology is produced in manufacturing plants in Germany, Ireland and the United States of America. Their pioneering excellence in technology has rewarded the company with numerous awards and accolades including an Emmy, a Grammy, and the Scientific and Engineering Award of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences.

More information about Sennheiser MKH 8020 omni capsule can be found at Sennheiser website