Schoeps mono set CMC 1 K (LemoZax) with MK 8 | condenser microphone with figure-of-eight capsule

The CMC 1 K from Schoeps is a microphone amplifier that is approximately 60% smaller and 40% lighter than the CMC 6. It is identical to the CMC 1 U, but instead of a built-in XLR socket it has a permanently attached 0.5 m cable with Lemo 3-pin for Zaxcom devices. It can be used without any compromise instead of a CMC 6 with all components of the Colette system, including the MK capsules. It therefore offers uncompromising miniaturisation for applications in which the size of the microphone plays a role.

The electrical and tonal characteristics of the CMC 1 are in no way inferior to the CMC 6. On the contrary: thanks to sophisticated, modern electronic design, outstanding electrical properties have been achieved. This means that it can be driven at a particularly high level (135 dB-SPL with the MK 4) and still consumes very little power (2 mA at P48).

The CMC 1 K can be used in many setups (e.g. OSIX) that have a fixed alignment of the XLR connector and therefore of the amplifier. The alignment is also fixed in the compatible MS and double MS setups (e.g. Cyclone). This means that the microphone cannot be rotated at will in such a suspension. With axially aligned capsules such as the MK 4, this does not matter, but a vertical capsule such as the MK 8 must be aligned radially.

This accessory helps in such cases:
No. 800540: O-ring for radial alignment of an MK capsule
This O-ring is placed on the thread of the amplifier and ensures that the MK capsule remains permanently stable in any orientation. The O-ring is supplied with the MK 8 and all other vertical capsules (MK 4V, 41V) and can also be ordered separately.

No. 191102 Special colors: Nickel, chrome green and other special colors are available in the configurator available in the configurator
No. 191201 Engraving: individual engraving in the configurator possible

The MK 8 is frequently used in MS and double MS stereophony in both film sound and music recording, often in combination with Colette or CCM microphones and/or a CMIT shotgun.

This type of capsule is a pure dipole, and its figure-of-eight characteristic remains constant over the entire frequency range, which is particularly important when used in the MS pair. The sensitivity drops more sharply at low frequencies than with other capsules, while the proximity effect is clearly pronounced.

As a pure pressure gradient receiver, manufacturing the MK 8 is a particular challenge, as the usable pressure gradient is minimal. Nevertheless, the MK 8 achieves an outstanding frequency response, excellent polar diagrams, high symmetry and a very low noise floor.

The microphone is more sensitive to vibrations, which is why good protection against structure-borne noise and wind should be ensured during use, e.g. by using suitable elastic suspensions.

The direction of coverage of the MK 8 is sideways, i.e. perpendicular to the microphone housing. The 0° axis is marked by a red dot on the capsule housing, while the 180° axis is marked by a black dot. In MS recordings, the 0° axis points to the left from a position behind the microphone, and the “8” engraved on the front of the capsule is exactly horizontal.