
SCHOEPS
GmbH · Spitalstr. 20 · D-76227 Karlsruhe (Durlach) · Tel: +49 721 943 20-0 · Fax: +49 721 943 2050
www.schoeps.de · [email protected]
Cardioids for Close Pickup
Frequency response curve MK 4S + CMC 6
Polar diagram identical to that of the MK 4
+10
0dB
-10
-20
20
50
100
200
500
1k
2k
5k
10k
20kHz
When a directional microphone is
used close to a sound source, its low-
frequency response increases greatly.
This ”proximity effect” gives voices an
artificial ”boomy” quality which is
sometimes useful as a special effect,
but it reduces intelligibility and causes
listener fatigue.
To avoid this problem and to reduce
the effects of breath noise and pop-
ping on consonants, low-frequency
filtering can be applied (e.g. the CUT 1
Active Filter) or special speech capsules
with reduced low-frequency sensitivity
can be used. These same measures
also help to suppress low-frequency
environmental noise.
MK 4S
– for close pickup (ca. 50 cm = 20")
MK 40
– for close pickup (ca. 50 cm = 20")
– high-frequency emphasis for better
speech intelligibility in reveberant
venues (e.g. churches)
MK 4VXS
– for extremely close pickup (under
10 cm = less than 4")
– lateral pickup
MK 40
MK 4S
Capsules
18
MK 4VXS
Frequency response curve MK 40 + CMC 6
Polar diagram MK 40
from outer
to inner:
up to 2 kHz
4 kHz
8 kHz
16 kHz
+10
0dB
-10
-20
20
50
100
200
500
1k
2k
5k
10k
20kHz
20
50
100
200
500
1k
+10
0dB
-10
-20
MK 4 standard
cardioid
MK 4S and MK 40
MK 4A
MK 4VXS
Frequency response curve MK 4VXS + CMC 6
Polar diagram essentially identical to that of the MK 4V
+10
0dB
-10
-20
20
50
100
200
500
1k
2k
5k
10k
20kHz
The frequency response curves shown on these pages were ob tained
at the usual one-meter equivalent measuring distance. They show
low-frequency rolloffs which will suppress low-frequency en viron -
mental noise. When these capsules are used at the indicated working
distances, proximity effect and the low-frequency rolloff will bal-
ance each other out, creating a natural-sounding pickup of the voice.
Low-frequency
attenuation of
cardioids for
close pickup