Schoeps Colette Mk5 Omni/Cardioid Switchable Mic Capsule
With the Schoeps Colette Mk5 Omni/Cardioid Switchable Mic Capsule, pattern switching is purely mechanical via a sliding lever on the side of the capsule. The result in each setting is like an independent microphone capsule with the same quality as the MK 2S / MK 4, and very similar (though not identical) frequency and polar response characteristics. In contrast to most dual-diaphragm microphones, the cardioid setting of the MK 5 maintains its directivity even at the lowest frequencies and has a high-frequency response up to 20 kHz. In addition, the MK 5 has excellent low-frequency response in the omnidirectional setting along with the low sensitivity toward wind, vocal “popping” noise and solid-borne sound typical of pressure transducers.
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.
