No Cartridge 18IN Gooseneck Condenser Microphone Attached Preamp with XLR Shock Mount Flange

Ideal Use Cases

The Shure MX418/N is a Microflex condenser gooseneck microphone designed for installed applications. Its fully adjustable 18-inch (45.7 cm) gooseneck provides extended positioning reach wherever the microphone must be integrated into a fixed installation. This version combines the gooseneck microphone assembly with an attached preamp and an XLR shock-mount flange. It is especially appropriate for projects in which the installer wants to choose an interchangeable cartridge separately rather than receive a predetermined cartridge with the microphone.

Why Choose This Model

The MX418/N offers a focused configuration for installations requiring an 18-inch gooseneck, an attached preamp, and a shock-mount flange. Its fully adjustable design allows the microphone position to be set according to the physical needs of the installation. Because no cartridge is included, the model also preserves flexibility at the cartridge-selection stage. This makes the configuration useful when the required interchangeable cartridge has already been specified or will be selected separately to match the application. Buyers should account for that separate cartridge requirement when planning the complete microphone system.

Installation and Integration

This model is intended for installed use and includes an XLR shock-mount flange as part of its configuration. The attached preamp is already paired with the microphone assembly, reducing the number of separate microphone components that must be selected. Before installation, confirm that the chosen interchangeable cartridge is appropriate for the MX418 platform and for the intended application. The cartridge must be obtained separately because the MX418/N is explicitly supplied without one.

The 18-inch gooseneck should also be considered during layout planning. Its 45.7 cm length provides a clear physical reference for determining microphone placement and available space. The fully adjustable construction supports deliberate positioning after mounting. Power requirements, cabling details, connector specifications beyond the stated XLR shock-mount flange, and installation hardware beyond the listed configuration are not provided in the available product data and should be confirmed separately before deployment.

Performance Highlights

The MX418/N uses a condenser microphone design and belongs to Shure’s Microflex series. Its principal performance-oriented feature is the interchangeable-cartridge system, which allows the cartridge to be selected separately from the gooseneck assembly. The supplied information does not identify a cartridge pattern, frequency response, sensitivity, maximum sound-pressure level, or other cartridge-dependent specifications. Those characteristics should therefore be evaluated using the specifications of the separately selected cartridge rather than assumed from the MX418/N assembly alone.

Physical positioning is supported by the fully adjustable gooseneck. At 18 inches long, it offers a defined reach for installed layouts while retaining adjustment at the point of use. The attached preamp and XLR shock-mount flange complete the stated installation-oriented configuration.

What Makes It Different

The defining distinction of this MX418/N version is that it does not include a cartridge. Instead of bundling the gooseneck with a specific interchangeable cartridge, it gives the system designer or installer control over that separate selection. At the same time, it includes the attached preamp and XLR shock-mount flange identified in the product configuration. This combination separates cartridge choice from the core 18-inch Microflex gooseneck assembly without omitting the listed preamp and mounting interface.

Final Assessment

The Shure MX418/N is a purpose-specific choice for an installed microphone project that calls for a fully adjustable 18-inch condenser gooseneck, attached preamp, and XLR shock-mount flange. Its cartridge-free configuration is best suited to buyers who understand that an interchangeable cartridge must be selected and purchased separately. When those requirements match the planned installation, the MX418/N provides a clearly defined Microflex foundation without locking the project into an included cartridge.