Schoeps MK 21 | Microphone capsule

The directionality of the Wide Cardioid lies between the Omni and the Cardioid. Behind its development is the idea to combine the advantages of the omnidirectional with those of the cardioid. The MK 21’s bass response is better than that of the cardioid, and the proximity effect is less pronounced. The polar diagram of the wide cardioid is exceptionally independent of frequency. Lateral incoming sound signals and reflections are therefore transmitted uncolored. The MK 21 is a popular capsule. It is used when a slight directionality is advantageous and when a warm, natural sound image is desired. Over the years, it has gone from being an insider’s tip to a permanent part of the sound engineer’s equipment. When used as a spot microphone, a somewhat smaller distance from the sound source must be selected because of the lower directivity compared to cardioids. While MS stereo recordings with the MK 21 as a microphone for the center channel are possible and useful, the XY recording method is ruled out because of the MK 21’s low directivity.