Sennheiser MKH 418-S Microphone

The MKH 418-S is Sennheiser's single-point stereo shotgun, built around the RF condenser technology that makes the MKH series so quiet and so stable in humidity. It combines two capsules in one body: a highly directional Mid capsule with a super-cardioid/lobar pattern for the on-axis subject, and a figure-of-eight Side capsule that captures the left-right stereo width. Working in the M-S format, it delivers a focused, natural stereo image that stays fully mono-compatible, which is why it is a location and broadcast staple for film, documentary, and nature recording.

Because the stereo information is encoded as Mid and Side, the recording can be steered from tight mono to wide stereo in post without moving the mic. The RF condenser design keeps self-noise very low for a high signal-to-noise ratio, and the rugged brass body with a matte black finish handles field abuse. It runs on 48V phantom power and outputs the M and S channels over a single 5-pin XLR (XLR-5M).