Schoeps Colette MK41 SuperCardioid Mic Capsule
The Schoeps Colette MK41 SuperCardioid Mic Capsule effectively attenuates diffuse sound energy and produces a clear, “dry” sound pickup.
Its polar pattern is exceptionally frequency-independent: sounds from the side and back are strongly attenuated but picked up without false colouration. This feature has made the MK 41 an international standard for indoor film sound.
The susceptibility of the MK 41 to acoustic feedback is lower than with any other SCHOEPS capsule type, provided that no loudspeaker radiates directly from the rear. The sensitivity minimum of the supercardioid occurs at approximately a 125° angle of incidence.
The directional effect is independent of frequency, so that off-axis and diffuse sound are picked up free of false colouration, thus sounding natural. That is a real advantage over shotgun microphones, which have appreciably greater directivity only at higher frequencies, and frequency response (and thus sound quality) that depends on the direction of sound incidence.
Thus for many situations, the MK 41 offers an interesting alternative to a shotgun microphone, even if its small dimensions do not appear to suggest high directivity. As a capsule without an interference tube in front of it, the MK 41 can also be placed closer to the sound source.
Information on the different Schoeps CMC Colette Capsules:
Omni Capsules
linear frequency response at 0° (free-field equalized)
for placement in close proximity to the sound source
preferred usage: close-miking instruments
Cardioid
Cardioid pattern
The best-selling Schoeps capsule
Directivity is highly independent of frequency
Universally applicable; preferred use as a spot microphone, for acoustic instruments, and in conference recording
Often used in the main microphone pair for XY, ORTF and MS stereo recordings
Wide Cardioid
Wide cardioid
Preferred uses: as a soloist microphone or main microphone
Extremely consistent polar response leads to a very natural sound
Combines the advantages of the Omni (warm sound) and the cardioid (directivity)
Popular as a main microphone pair e.g. at a spacing of 30 cm, angle +/- 45°
Open Cardioid
New directional pattern: Open Cardioid
Optimal combination of directionality (MK 4 cardioid) and warm sound characteristics (MK 21 wide cardioid)
Natural sound quality, due to highly consistent polar diagram across the frequency range
Popular for use as a spot or soloist’s microphone, as the mid microphone for M/S, or as a main microphone pair e.g. at a spacing of 21 cm, angle +/- 55¬∞
Supercardioid
Figure-8 characteristic (pure pressure-gradient transducer)
Pickup direction: Lateral (perpendicular to the microphone axis)
0°-axis marked with a red dot
Preferred application: M/S, double M/S and “Blumlein” stereo
Switchable Pattern Capsule
mechanical switching between omnidirectional and cardioid patterns
true one-diaphragm system (unique on the microphone market)
pure pressure transducer in the Omni setting; pressure gradient transducer in the cardioid setting
can be used in nearly any situation; often suggested as an initial acquisition. Popular with training institutes
The P series
SCHOEPS offers special directional microphones and capsules for close pickup. Their reduction in low-frequency response compensates for the proximity effect and helps to suppress both “popping” and ambient noise. Thus, P-series microphones can deliver broadcast-quality even in loud arenas.
The microphones of the P series have a “P” in the product name. P means “proximity” and the corresponding low-frequency attenuation. “XP” means a particularly strong low-frequency attenuation. They are designed for close placement – “P”-types shouldn’t be used at a distance of more than 20 cm, “XP”-types even closer than 10 cm.
The speech intelligibility is drastically enhanced by the compensation of the proximity effect as done in the P-series capsules. They are often used in fixed installations, or in the SCHOEPS HSC 4VP/4VXP headset.
For more information on these capsules, please visit Schoeps.
