Sennheiser MZW 80-1 Basket windscreen for MZS 20-1, compatible with MKH 8070

Sennheiser MZW 80-1 Blimp Basket Windscreen

The Sennheiser MZW 80-1 (Article Number: 504362) is a professional, broadcast-grade blimp basket windscreen. It is engineered explicitly for outdoor field recording, sports broadcasting, wildlife tracking, and feature film production. Designed to provide maximum attenuation of high-velocity wind noise, this physical protective shell allows high-tier condenser shotgun microphones to capture clean audio profiles in extreme open-air environments.

The MZW 80-1 is tailored specifically for use with the Sennheiser MZS 20-1 combination shock mount/pistol grip and is mathematically and physically sized to accommodate long-interference-tube microphones like the Sennheiser MKH 8070 digital/analog long shotgun microphone.

Key Acoustic and Structural Attributes

• Aerodynamic Basket Framework: Features a lightweight, rugged plastic support matrix covered in a specialized, acoustically transparent synthetic fabric mesh. This design breaks up oncoming wind vortexes before they can impact the microphone's sensitive capsule.

• Optimized for Long Interference Tubes: Provides the exact internal length and clearance required by the MKH 8070 shotgun microphone. It ensures the mic's side acoustic vents remain unblocked, preserving the microphone's tight lobar pick-up pattern and off-axis rejection.

• Native MZS 20-1 Pistol Grip Mounting: Interlocks directly into the mounting rings of the MZS 20-1 suspension system, anchoring the microphone securely inside the center axis of the blimp to eliminate handling vibration and structural friction noise.

• Minimal High-Frequency Insertion Loss: Despite providing substantial protection against low-end rumble and wind turbulence, the protective mesh layer minimizes high-frequency attenuation, keeping your target audio source crisp and clear.

Technical Specifications Matrix

In the Box: Component Inventory

• 1 x Sennheiser MZW 80-1 Basket Windscreen

• 1 x Quick Start Alignment Guide

Field Configuration and Environmental Protection Advice

Achieving Total Protection with Hairy Covers: While the MZW 80-1 basket excels at blocking standard breezes, high-velocity coastal winds or stormy field environments require an additional layer. To achieve maximum protection, slide a matching Sennheiser MZH 80-1 hairy cover (windjammer) completely over the basket shell. The long synthetic fur fibers slow down and dissipate fast-moving air before it can ever touch the inner basket layer.

Proper Cable Dress and Isolation: When sliding your MKH 8070 inside the suspension system within the blimp, pay close attention to the microphone cable tail. Avoid packing excess XLR cable length tightly into the basket space, as loose loops can vibrate against the inner walls of the plastic cage during movement. Secure the tail snugly to the internal rubber suspension rings to ensure structural handle vibrations do not translate into physical low-end rumble.