the Sennheiser MKH416 will ship with a foam lined protective case.

The 286s has saved many of us from editing out background noise, de-essing and compressing a signal that's too dynamic. However, my fav thing about the 416 is that you often don't have to do *anything* to it at all, even if you have a channel strip. I was used to throwing a compressor on every voiceover because even recordings on U87's need to be sweetened or shaped, but the 416 was the first mic I didn't have to do anything to in post.

Yes.

When comparing microphones, you need to find the one that best suits your particular needs and budget. The specifications for frequency response, maximum sound pressure level, and equivalent noise level are the same for the RODE NTG3 Shotgun Microphone and the Sennheiser MKH 416 Shotgun Microphone. The MKH 416 is slightly more sensitive at -32 dBV/Pa than the NTG3, which is rated at -30 dBV/Pa. The NTG3 has a supercardioid pickup pattern, and the MKH 416 has a supercardioid pickup pattern in the low to midrange frequencies and transitions to a lobar pickup pattern in the high frequencies. The specs for off-axis rejection differ a bit, with the NTG3 rated at 8 dB at 60°, 18 dB at 120°, and 17 dB at 180°, and the MKH 416 rated at 3 dB at 60°, 20 dB at 120°, and 15 dB at 180°. There are also differences in the warranties, with Sennheiser offering a two-year warranty and RODE offering a one-year warranty with an extension to 10 years with registration on RODE's website. Both mics are moisture-resistant, which makes them well-suited for outdoor use, and both mics are also popular choices for film and TV applications. As price can also be a factor for consideration, the MKH 416 is notably more expensive. To make a purchasing decision, the best thing to do is to listen to both mics side by side, as well as any other mics that may be of interest. If you are unable to perform your own hands-on testing with a camera or recorder, a good alternative is to look for side-by-side comparisons posted on YouTube or user forums where others have documented their experience while performing these types of tests. Although it’s not the same as being able to test them yourself, it can help provide more insight on the capabilities of different models and how they compare to each other. B&H offers a 30-day policy for returns, which gives you the option of ordering different microphones so you can test them on your own and decide what works best for your applications. You can then send back the items that you don’t wish to keep for a refund. Just be sure to save all of the original manufacturer’s packaging and literature, and don’t register the warranty until you are certain that you want to keep the item. Please feel free to contact us by phone or through live chat on the website if you have additional questions or if you would like further assistance, and we will be happy to help.

This microphone needs phantom power and connects through xlr connections, which the 7D does not have and no DSLR that I know of has it either. You can use a separate phantom power transmitter that connects directly to the microphone in order to use in a situation where your camera does not send phantom power. The best way to use pro audio with consumer video products like DSLRs is to get a digital recorder with phantom power and xlr inputs, like the H4N recorder.

The Sony FX3 does not come with an XLR input, so you would need an XLR audio handle or adapter. Assuming this is already taken care of, you can use any 3-pin XLR cable with the Sennheiser MKH416. A right-angle cable such as BH #KOM3001.5R would minimize the footprint of your rig, and a low-profile cable such as BH #CACTLPXR10BL would minimize it further.

Yes, the Sennheiser MKH 416-P48U3 Moisture-Resistant Shotgun Microphone, can be used with the Xvive Audio U3C Set Wireless Plug-On System for Condenser Microphones (2.4 GHz). The Xvive system can provide phantom power to the microphone.

First of all the last thing you should be using to clean any condenser mic is any liquid and a sponge. You have a 416 a great mic don't ruin it. One of the recommended ways of of cleaning the ports and capsule mesh. Is to get a dry very soft tooth brush. Turn the mic upside down and gently start at the bottom and use the tooth brush to gently rub over the ports and work your way to the top.I find a natural soft Boar bristle tooth brush to be softer than your run of the mill plastic models.There is also a product called Microphome which seems to be garnering approval with the industry.