Schoeps mono set CMC 1 K (XLR) with MK 4 | condenser microphone with cardioid 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 has a permanently attached 5m XLR cable instead of a built-in XLR socket. 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 4 has been a reference microphone for a variety of recording situations for years. With its transparent sound character and excellent rear attenuation, it reproduces the sound source in a natural way. This has earned the MK 4 the reputation of being a universal “problem solver” in difficult recording situations.

The constant frequency response and the consistent directivity across all frequencies are the basis of the exceptional sound quality of the MK 4. Even in a diffuse sound field, the frequency response remains consistent, with a slight rise at 10 kHz, which compensates for height losses in the room. The result is a transparent sound image that is convincing with both direct and lateral sound sources as well as with diffuse sound (reverberation).

As a classic small diaphragm microphone, the MK 4 offers all the typical advantages of this type of microphone. The frequency response and the constant polar pattern over a wide frequency range are outstanding. Like all SCHOEPS capsules, the MK 4 achieves its flat frequency response solely through its precise mechanical architecture, without relying on electrical filtering. As a pressure gradient receiver with a single diaphragm that is exposed to sound from both the front and the rear, the side sound inlets must never be covered.

The range of the MK 4 is approximately 1.7 times that of a sphere. This means that a direct, undistorted sound is retained even at greater distances from the sound source. The strength of the MK 4 is particularly evident when mixing several microphone signals, as it transmits sound coming from the side attenuated and undistorted.

The attenuation of the MK 4 is 6 dB at 90° sound incidence and 20 to 30 dB at 180° sound incidence. Diffuse sound incidence is 4.8 dB weaker than frontal sound incidence.

The MK 4 is suitable for both speech and music recordings and is often used as a support microphone, studio microphone or in stereo arrangements. It is also very popular in the ORTF stereo microphone arrangement MSTC 64 U and as a mid microphone in an MS arrangement and delivers excellent results.