An absolute BEAST.. Sennheiser MKH-50

[@randyrektor]

What is your go to microphone? 🎤

[@cameroni178]

A Neumann SM7B pencil 😍

[@randyrektor]

This wins

[@nickdual]

Your wife is beautiful, dude!

[@randyrektor]

Agreed!

[@JeyBott]

"MKH 416" -Sennheiser Guy✌

[@tombuck]

I'm so happy to see this mic get the love it deserves! Feels like it's a bit overlooked sometimes.

[@randyrektor]

Believe me that I watched your video like 5 times before making this review lol! It sounds fantastic, doesn’t it? Thanks for stopping by man!

[@baileypelkman]

This is such a great overview video and impressive microphone! I should've mentioned that cabbage also means dolla bills cause those b-roll shots are MONEY. 🔥

[@randyrektor]

❤️❤️❤️

[@cameroni178]

Great video! Loved the comparisons and the conversational style

[@randyrektor]

Thanks my dude 🙏🏻🙌🏻🙏🏻🙌🏻

[@evanwiebe7096]

So that watch test was INSANE for how different they sounded

[@randyrektor]

I’m glad it read! It’s not the most scientific experiment going but it’s practical and I’m all bout that

[@YTHalilo]

This mic is so amazing! Looking to buy one as well

[@randyrektor]

Zero regrets!

[@sennheiser]

👏

[@randyrektor]

Thanks for the love Senny!

[@benjhaisch]

MKH50 always feels like the SM7B of SDCs to me. Impressive low end response while not being *too* much and then just a subtle and very smooth mic that’s easy to listen to.

[@randyrektor]

Ahhh thats such a great description! Love that.

[@jas_bataille]

This sounds so good on dialogue it makes me want to buy one to record singers who have plosive issues in my studio and for acoustic covers in my living room with just this thing hanging overhead!

[@randyrektor]

Dude 100000%. This has quickly become one of my favs for stuff like that. Just so natural wherever you place it

[@andriibudim6996]

great review, mate. Some say that mkh50 sound is similar to sm7b but without mic in your mouth :) Having sm7b myself I would be interested in such comparison and if sound profile is similar I guess its worth the price

[@randyrektor]

What an interesting comparison. I would've never put these in the same category, but now you've peaked my interest lol! Thanks for the kind words man!

[@evanwiebe7096]

I'm here and ready to learn as always! also it sounds super smooth

[@randyrektor]

It’s absolute butter bro. I get why it’s quickly become a top pick for location mixers.

[@DanLiveOnUTube]

8050 vs 50 comparisons are lacking. Please do itttttt :)

[@randyrektor]

Oooooo interesting! Looking up the 8050 as we speak!

[@VELVET462]

actually they seem to be very very similiar, i heard a good comparison from Curtis Judd, im sure you know him if you look it up. Just type "Sennheiser MKH 50 Boom Microphone for indoor dialogue recording" thats the video title.

[@timdanyo898]

My wife has a great mixer. It's a Kitchen Aid! That's cool your wife is into audio recording! Although my wife is a killer cook!

[@VirginaAV]

Well said on being very natural, sounds just like real life on my mac.

[@aram.v]

Indoor / Outdoor, it sounds amazing

[@ShelbyWatson]

Great video. My favorite mic in my collection.

[@randyrektor]

Thanks Shelby! It’s a beast, isn’t it?

[@condar419]

Very interesting. I like your approach to testing and that you explain it so well that even a complete neophyte like me (mostly) understands it. One note: I found the cabbage story lacking in character development and plot.

[@randyrektor]

Hey thanks for the feedback! Also I’ll be sure to pick a more engaging story next time where the cabbage has more personality and a thorough backstory 😂

[@jamoore84]

If you have it, an sm7b vs mkh-50 comparison would be valuable.

[@randyrektor]

You’re the second person to ask for this! I had no idea people put them in the same category. To me they are such different applications, but worth a try! I need to get my hands on an SM7b to do this :) thanks for the suggestion!

[@jamoore84]

@@randyrektor I can see how that would be surprising! But similar to how you've contextualized this video's comparison the MKH-50 against other shotgun mics: > "I understand that these are different microphones for different applications, but a lot of people are going to be comparing them in the same category when they're looking for a dialog mic for a talking head shot" Comparing an MKH-50 against the SM7b is especially relevant for the streaming community, where the SM7b has gained insane popularity over recent years as the de facto "professional" mic. I think it would make for a great pro/con analysis video! Especially along dimensions relating to: sensitivity, noise, sound quality, desk footprint, room tone, and price. This could even be extended to a round-up of other semi-popular streaming mics. You do a great job in your comparison and analysis and I'd love to see you tackle something like this!

[@voicemagic]

Great Video! Have you ever tried the 50's successor, the MKH 8050 ?

[@randyrektor]

I haven’t, but I’d love to try it! Thanks for the kind words :)

[@michaelfarrow4648]

I have used the MKH 20s and 40s for orchestral recording. They are unbeatable!

[@randyrektor]

Oooooooo interesting! I'd love to try that. Curious what you used them on? Anything specific or just as a spaced pair?

[@michaelfarrow4648]

@@randyrektor They are very versatile mics. My application was for film score recording. I used the MKH 40s on anything that needed a smooth frequency response, flat to beyond 20k. They are great on violins, and woodwinds. The self noise is good, so distant micing is possible. The off axis response is excellent, so sonic bleed is not a problem. If the group or the room was small I would use the MKH 20s for the LCR since I didn't need the HF boost of a diffuse field omni like the M50, which I used most of the time. I never tried it, but the MKH 20 has a diffuse field option which raises the top end. If that was needed, I went to the M50s. Thanks, Randy!

[@HopeProphecy]

Would you recommend using the foam microphone cover in an indoor studio on the MKH50?

[@randyrektor]

If you're using it for overhead dialogue, you can probably do without. That said, it's a great way to prevent dust from settling on the capsule, so theres actually good reason to leave it on all of the time. If you're looking to use it for voice overs, close mic'd, I'm afraid it's not the best for plosive rejection. It's just not strong enough foam. I leave my mic foam on my NTG3 almost all of the time!

[@DebF124]

Btw you can do outdoor recording with it if you get the bumblebee fur for it. It’s a great tool for outdoor recording if for instance you have multiple people close to each other or are in an echoey space like under the bleachers compared to a shotgun.

[@randyrektor]

Ahhh this is awesome. Thanks for the tip :)

[@DebF124]

@@randyrektor ofc!

[@VELVET462]

my MKH 50 will arrive saturday, what preamp do you use? You know the Camden EC2? thinking of going with that one, i want a good 19Rack Preamp

[@randyrektor]

Oh siiiiiiick! I'm so jealous. This one I had was just on loan, but I've been watching for a nice sale or used one. I have no experience with the Camden. I use my MixPre6 II for recording videos, and the Universal Audio Volt 176 for my zoom calls and such and it drop that mic wonderfully.

[@VELVET462]

@@randyrektor i also just bought a used one because the prices here in germany are wild right now.. but it has some nice extras like rycote baseball and the full shield, a better popfilter and also a pretty good shock mount :) Cranborne audio seems to be a pretty good newer company, they build some strong but still affordable stuff at the moment, just ordered the Camden EC1 for first, maybe later sell it for the Camden EC2 (2channel+Rackversion)

[@randyrektor]

@VELVET462 oh dang man! I’m so jealous. That’s so exciting! Enjoy your new toy

[@VELVET462]

@@randyrektor Thanks so much :) feeling like a little child on christmas :D

[@JasonLorette]

Sounds really good! Pricey...but sounds fantastic.

[@randyrektor]

Yeah, it’s a mortgage payment for most. Definitely a ‘last microphone’ for a lot of people though. I can’t imagine wanting to upgrade from it.

[@JasonLorette]

@@randyrektor Ha Ha...that's almost two mortgage payments for me. :P

[@rome8180]

Why use the windscreen when you're recording acoustic guitar? Isn't that just going to muffle the sound? It's not like an acoustic guitar has plosives or sibilance.

[@randyrektor]

I do this sometimes with small diaphragm condensers as a precaution. Sometimes, especially when strumming, your arm can create a considerable amount of wind, especially if the mic is super close. It does slightly alter the sound, but so does wind hitting the capsule 🤷‍♂️ Picking the better of two evils.

[@anthonyrock5039]

For voice over, the MKH-50 with a tiny bit of eq (boost +3DB at 6 or 7k with a medium to tight Q) would give you the sparkle you speak of regarding your wife's microphone. Much easier to add a top end pleasantly than to remove one.

[@RolandDobbins]

I use mine every day. Adore it.

[@randyrektor]

Just can't go wrong eh?

[@smartideas-pedro1690]

this video was very mkh...wait... mkbhd level of quality. I love how the 50 sounds, hope someday i'll be able to justify purchasing one of these.

[@randyrektor]

That’s probably the nicest comment ever! Thanks for the kind words. You and me both, this on was on loan :(

[@VM-oi3dk]

As for the lack of brightness of the MKH 50, that can easily be solved by engaging the high pass filter

[@randyrektor]

Solid point 👌🏻👌🏻

[@jfoldger1184]

Should give an audio warning for users who turn their volume up to hear the noise level in the watch test

[@nicolasfieldsoundservices]

Pretty sick mic. I have 2!

[@randyrektor]

Very very jealous. I had this one on loan. I need to get one!

[@asianguy6174]

The 50 is fine on the high end if you engage the low roll off filter and use a 4K boost filter on the interface if it has one. The mkh 50 is better for small spaces than the mkh416 bc the 50 has better ambient noise cancellation.

[@antonstafeyev3606]

is it just me or shootgun had less reverb ?

[@randyrektor]

Hmm could definitely be! The NTG3 and MKH50 are both super cardioids, so they will both pick up some signal from directly behind the capsule -of varying degrees, even with relatively similar polar patterns. I think I prefer the 50 for the sound though. It’s just so flattering imo

[@antonstafeyev3606]

@@randyrektor yeah MKH50 is a go to mic especially when you dont need to cancel out sideways!

[@JeyBott]

It sounds incredible... (but, admittedly, I'm a "Sennheiser Guy"). I will NOT be using one in my studio OR paying that price tag for video content. Do a review on one of the tiny Sennheiser camera mics?! ;)

[@randyrektor]

Yeah it's a little much eh? Lol! It has quickly become my favourite dialogue mic for indoors. Not sure how it stacks up for VO, but for videos, man oh man!

[@JeyBott]

@@randyrektor oh, it’s incredible for indoor dialogue. On set in Vancouver in 2020 was the first time I saw one being used. Sound guy raves about it (like you are doing), so it’s defiantly good. He also stressed “indoor only”. There was something “heavy?” about it in the Studiobricks I didn’t like…would be fun to play around with for VO though.

[@randyrektor]

Yeah yeah! Totally agree with your findings. Also, side note, I think I saw you on a commercial recently. I can't remember what it was for.. But there were two actors, maybe sitting on a couch? I swear it was you!

[@JeyBott]

@@randyrektor oh yea? your eyes are working as well as your ears!

[@wilgranger]

I think what was lost in the audio tests was that this mic is that this creates the warmest profile for deep voices... which your wife does not

[@randyrektor]

Very true!

[@aeonlancer]

That was not six inches from the mic, it was closer to eight

[@randyrektor]

I guess you were there and I wasn’t

[@Mixedtinkerings]

please no music in the background!

[@Thirdbornentertainment]

1500 ? Ouch

[@randyrektor]

Yeah, it's pricey for sure. There are some good budget alternatives out there, but man, I'm yet to find one that sounds a nice. It's really worth the price if the budget is feasible! I'm hoping to get one of permanently this year :) Hoping Black Friday has some help lol

[@ZhurbaV]

Sounds awful in your room. So, the room is more important than the mic.

[@randyrektor]

lol k