Schoeps
Schoeps CMIT 5
Short shotgun (interference-tube) condenser microphone with three switchable filters
Power Phantom, 48 V ± 4 V.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Switchable, 2
- Sensitivity
- −35.4 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 14 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 59%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 60%
- Max SPL
- 132 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 26%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 24%
- Rated range
- 40 – 20k Hz
vs 15 shotgun condensers
Quieter than 36% of 15 shotgun condensers.
Each stripe is one shotgun condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 15 shotgun condensers
Takes louder sound than 79% of 15 shotgun condensers.
Each stripe is one shotgun condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the user guide, p. 25.
Capsule and amplifier as one unit, no filters. Measuring distance not stated (free field assumed); smoothing not stated. "Frequency response curve without filters at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90° angle of incidence".
That unit is from the Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response Dataset (CC BY 4.0), measured at 1.25 m and set to 0 dB at 1 kHz, from 136 Hz up. Not the manufacturer's curve.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
Polar pattern
From the catalog, p. 2.
Captioned "MiniCMIT, CMIT 5, SuperCMIT (ch2)". Rings every 5 dB, labelled 0 to -30 dB (the centre); 0° at the top. Left half 250 Hz to 2 kHz, right half 4 to 16 kHz; the pattern is taken as symmetric. Measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the user guide | ||
|---|---|---|
| Capsule | Small-diaphragm pressure-gradient capsule behind an interference tube; capsule and amplifier built as one unitThe product page: "The capsule and amplifier of the CMIT 5 are built as a single unit, unlike microphones of the SCHOEPS Colette series." The flyer: the MiniCMIT, CMIT 5 and SuperCMIT use the same interference tube/capsule (p. 2). | p. 15 |
| Sensitivity | −35.4 dBV/Pa (17 mV/Pa)also −35 dBV/Pa, schoeps.de product page (2026), stated. Not stated by the manufacturer: From 17 mV/Pa: 20·log10(0.017). The product page states "-35 dB (V/Pa), 17 mV/Pa". | p. 25 |
| Self-noise | 14 dB(A)filters off, IEC 61672-1. "14 dB-A*, 24 dB CCIR** (filters off)"; the flyer and the product page agree. | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 24 dBCCIR, filters off, IEC 60268-1 | |
| Max SPL | 132 dB SPL0.5% THD. The flyer: "132 dB (P48)" at 1 kHz, THD < 0.5% (p. 4). | |
| Output impedance | 50 ohm | |
| Rated load impedance | 600 ohmor greater; also 1000 ohm, minimum, schoeps.de product page (2026). "Recommended load impedance: 600 Ohms or greater"; the product page gives 1 kΩ. | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 20 kHzalso [40, 22000], schoeps.de product page (2026) | |
| Powering | phantom, 48 V ± 4 VThe flyer and product page: "P48 / >34 V". | |
| Current draw | 4.4 mA | |
| Low cut | off, 80 Hz; 80 Hz; 18 dB/octave; high-pass"The steep low-cut filter below 80 Hz (18 dB/oct.) suppresses wind and boom noise." Pushbuttons with green (off) and red (on) LEDs; settings kept when switched off (p. 19). | p. 18 |
| Switches | proximity filter: off, on; high shelf: off, onProximity filter: "below 300 Hz (6 dB/oct.) is a gentle roll-off that compensates for proximity effects"; high shelf: "+5 dB at 10 kHz". | |
| Weight | 89 galso 95, CMIT series flyer (2016) and schoeps.de product page (2026). "Only 89 g (3-1/8 ounces)"; the 2016 flyer and the product page give 95 g. | p. 25 |
| Dimensions | 251 × 21 mmLength × diameter. | |
| Fixed low cut | Even with both low filters off, a 6 dB/oct. filter below 40 Hz is active | p. 18 |
| Maximum output voltage | 1.3 V (at 1 kHz, 1 kOhm) | p. 25 |
| Polarity | A diaphragm excursion towards the back electrode (positive pressure) gives a positive signal at pin 2 | |
| Included accessories | W 140 foam windscreen, SG 20 stand clamp, polished wood case | p. 15 |
| Use | Reporting, interviews and dialogue for film and TV; also a spot mic for music (e.g. opera) | p. 17 |
| M/S | Good M/S results with a CCM 8 or MK 8 figure-8 clipped on, diaphragms one above the other (the CMIT diaphragm is at the base of the tube); X/Y with shotguns not recommended | p. 18 |
| From the product page | ||
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 80 dBA-weighted. "Signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted) 80 dB"; not in the user guide (94 - 14 dB-A). | |
| Connector | XLR-3M"XLR-3M, analog, 1 channel". | |
| Common mode rejection ratio | > 65 dB (at 1 kHz) | |
| Finish | Anodised (2013 guide); now blue lacquer as standard, anthracite grey or Chromagreen to order | |
| Product history | 2005 first version (A0); 2008 A1; 2012 B0 lacquer finish, wider phantom range; 2013 B1; 2014 C0 RF filter revised, switch-on noise removed; 2021 D0 humidity resistant, foil capacitors replaced | |
| From the catalog | ||
| Maximum cable length | > 400 m | p. 4 |
| RFI protection | SCHOEPS RFI Shield | |
| Interchangeability | MiniCMIT, CMIT 5 and SuperCMIT (channel 2) have identical frequency responses; MiniCMIT and CMIT 5 can be swapped without a change in sound | p. 2 |
Documents
- CMIT 5 U Interference-Tube "Shotgun" Microphone, Bedienungsanleitung / User GuideDE/EN
- CMIT Shotgun Microphone Seriesproduct flyer, V1.2 25.10.2016
- CMIT 5 | Shotgun microphone | SCHOEPS Microphonesproduct page, technical specifications
- Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response DatasetJuan Carlos Franco Hernández, Bogdan Bacila, Tim Brookes, Enzo De Sena, University of Surrey
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Schoeps, unchanged, with its original address.
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