Sennheiser 416T vs 416 P48

Clint Nitkiewiz Hernandez

Clint Nitkiewiz Hernandez

Well-known member
416T uses the power of T -12V, and 416 P48 - uses the phantom power of 48V

Does anyone know if that means that only the 416 p48 accepts batteries, whereas the other you must plug in to an outlet? Or does it accept a battery as well?

I want to use a good mic for recording my film shot on HD, plug straight xlr to the camera, are both of these mics of equal quality? Is one an older model, meaning less quality, more noise? Or are they equal in quality, and are both able to accept battery?
 
Im shooting on a panasonic hvx 200, anyone know how this will work for either mic? If phantom, is there a 48V switch on the camera to power the mic? And if t-12V, is there a switch on the camera to power it, or would I need a powercable to an outlet? Or outside battery source?
 
You can NOT power a T-power microphone directly from 48v phantom and as far as I know there is no t-power ability on the camera. You need an adapter such as this one http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/275819-REG/PSC_FPSC0010A_A4812_48V_to_12T.html to use the t-powered microphone with your camera. It's more than just a matter of the different voltages - the actual wiring assignments for power on the connector pins are completely different with the two powering types and they are not interchangeable.

Neither of those mics has a battery in them so both require a source of external power. You MUST use the 416-p48 with a camera or mixer that supplies 48v phantom or provide an inline source of phantom. Likewise, you MUST use the 416T with a mixer that supplies 12 volt T-power or use the aforementioned adapter in conjunction with a source of phantom.
 
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As Steve explained: the 416P48 requires a phantom power supply, and the 416T requires a T-12 power supply. Other than that, they are the same mic.

According to the Panasonic website, the HVX200 has two XLR mic inputs that can supply 48V phantom power. If you want to use the HVX200 to power a 416T, you will need a P48 to T-12 in-line power converter (eg. http://www.professionalsound.com/Catalog/adap.htm). Alternately, you could use a battery-powered T-12 power supply (http://www.professionalsound.com/Catalog/unips.htm) and switch off the camera's P48 power.

Personally, I prefer T-12 mics because the peculiar power system makes them more resistant to RF interference. To me, the RF rejection is worth the hassle of P48 to T-12 converters.

Some mixers (eg. SD302, SD442) will allow you to select either P48 or T-12 for individual mic channels.

In the hands of a skilled opperator, the MKH416 is an excellent match for an HD picture. Although there are a number of mics that surpass the 416 in one manner or another, its still the mic against which others are measured. The trick will be for you to hire a boom opperator who can use it to full effect.
 
My 416 is T-powered, and I have no problems with it - I have the PSC adapter (came with the mic). If you're buying used, I strongly recommend you send the mic in to Sennheiser for a checkup. For an extra $50, it's worth the peace of mind.

As Smuir hinted though, the 416 is a very unforgiving mic in terms of pickup pattern. It is very tight, so unless you have a really good boom op, you will have problems with the dialog being off-axis. But, if you can keep it on axis, the sound quality is great. It has been an industry standard mic for a long time.

Phil
 
416t power adaptor in the uk?

416t power adaptor in the uk?

hello kind people.. i am searching the forums but does anyone have any links or suggestions for buying a T to P power adaptor for the 416T anywhere in the UK???

A friend bought one unaware it was a T version and has to use it with the Hvx200 he bought it all as a 2nd hand package..

thanks in advance


cheers
 
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