recordinghacks

beyerdynamic MC 840

Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone

The MC 840 is a large-diaphragm, multipattern FET condenser that operates on phantom power (minimum 11V). It is the successor to Beyerdynamic’s MC 740, another transformerless multipattern FET LDC.

It was designed for transparent rather than colored sound. The frequency graphs show a flat response from 50Hz to 2k, with ~3dB presence peak around 10k. The response is surprisingly uniform across the five available patterns (omni, wide cardioid, cardioid, hypercardioid, figure-of-8).

A 5-way switch on the mic body controls the pickup pattern. A second switch enables a pad (flat, -10dB, -20dB). A third switch enables the high-pass filter (flat, -6dB/oct @ 80Hz or 160Hz). Note that the pad and filter switches can be found on the fixed-cardioid MC834.

The output circuit is transformerless. Note that the Beyerdynamic website and most catalog websites contain the description “impedance transformer without transducer,” suggesting the mic has a transformer. This is a translation mistake. The original German description reads, Rauscharmer Vorverstärker und Impedanzwandler ohne Übertrager, or “low-noise preamplifier and impedance conversion without transformer.”

The capsule, although described as “large-diaphragm,” has a ~20mm active diaphragm area (according to SOS). It is a dual-diaphragm design, and supports multiple pickup patterns. The same capsule was used in the multipattern MC740.

The headbasket is a 2-layer mesh design.

The mic’s circuit diagram (albeit without part numbers) can be found in the Datasheet.

The mic ships with an elastic suspension (p/n EA 37), a mic clip (p/n MKV 11), and a hardshell plastic case (p/n ZKK 740-833).

SoundOnSound, 2007

As an instrument mic, the MC840 is very capable. Its ostensibly neutral tone combines with the hint of ‘air’ to keep the detail without adding harshness. In a typical project studio it could cope with just about anything, from drum overheads to acoustic guitars, and pianos to percussion.

The beyerdynamic MC 840 is also known as: MC840.

The mic was released in 2006.

Specifications

Frequency Response - OmnidirectionalClick Graph to Compare!
Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare!
Frequency Response - HypercardioidClick Graph to Compare!
Frequency Response - BidirectionalClick Graph to Compare!
Frequency Response - Wide CardioidClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (18 mV/Pa; 30 - 20,000 Hz) Cardioid (18 mV/Pa; 30 - 20,000 Hz) Hypercardioid (18 mV/Pa; 30 - 20,000 Hz) Bidirectional (18 mV/Pa; 30 - 20,000 Hz) Wide Cardioid (18 mV/Pa; 30 - 20,000 Hz)	Pad: -10dB (Via Switch) Pad: -20dB (Via Switch) Filter: HPF: -6 dB/octave @ 80Hz (Via Switch) Filter: HPF: -6 dB/octave @ 160Hz (Via Switch)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 20.4mm	180 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 147 dB Self-noise: 17.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
286g (10.09oz)	165mm (6.50'')	37mm (1.46'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 11-52v

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