Schoeps
Schoeps MK 8
Small-diaphragm figure-8 condenser capsule (Colette series), single diaphragm, side-address, on a CMC 6 amplifier; for M/S and Blumlein stereo
Power Phantom, 12 V or 48 V (CMC 6, automatic switchover).
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Figure-8
- Sensitivity
- −40 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 18 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 33%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 32%
- Max SPL
- 134 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 33%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 30%
- Rated range
- 40 – 16k Hz
vs 99 side-address condensers
Quieter than 13% of 99 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 107 side-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 36% of 107 side-address condensers.
Each stripe is one side-address 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 manual, p. 17.
Capsule on a CMC 6 amplifier ("+ CMC 6"), as printed. Free field, distance and smoothing not stated; the sheet draws a tolerance band (dashed) around the 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. 9.
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. Amplifier and measuring conditions not stated.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −40 dBV/Pa (10 mV/Pa)also −38.5 dBV/Pa, schoeps.de product page (2026), stated. Not stated by the manufacturer: From 10 mV/Pa: 20·log10(0.010). The product page states "-38,5 dB (V/Pa), 12 mV/Pa". | p. 20 |
| Self-noise | 18 dB(A)also 17 dB(A), schoeps.de product page (2026). Specifications for the complete microphone: capsule on a CMC 6 amplifier (p. 20). | |
| Self-noiseCCIR 468 | 26 dBCCIR. The product page agrees (26 dB). | |
| Max SPL | 134 dB SPL0.5% THD; also 133 dB SPL, THD < 0.5%, with CMC 6, schoeps.de product page (2026); also 137 dB SPL, THD < 0.5%, with CMC 1, schoeps.de product page (2026) | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 76 dBre 94 dB SPL, A-weighted; also 77 dB, schoeps.de product page (2026) | |
| Output impedance | 35 ohmCMC 6 on 48 V phantom; also 25 ohm, on 12 V phantom | p. 7 |
| Rated load impedance | 600 ohmminimum recommended | |
| Rated frequency range | 40 Hz to 16 kHzalso [40, 15000], schoeps.de product page (2026), also with CMC 6 xt. The product page: "40 Hz - 15 kHz with CMC6xt (above 20 kHz, the level of -3 dB for the cutoff frequency is not exceeded despite the xt boost)". | p. 20 |
| Powering | phantom, 12 V or 48 V (CMC 6, automatic switchover) | p. 7 |
| Current draw | 4 mA48 V phantom; also 8 mA, 12 V phantom | |
| Connector | XLR-3 maleNot stated by the manufacturer: On the CMC amplifier; the guide shows the XLR output but does not list it as a spec. | p. 2 |
| Weight | 66 g"65 - 68 g, depending on type": the CMC amplifier; the capsule's weight is not stated. | p. 7 |
| Dimensions | 116 × 20 mmCMC amplifier: length 116 mm (incl. 3 mm capsule thread) × diameter 20 mm. The capsule adds to the length (not stated). | |
| Amplifier | CMC 6 (CMC 6U / 6Uxt); low-cut (-3 dB) at 20 Hz | |
| Maximum output voltage | 1 V (at 1 kHz into 1 kOhm) | |
| Use | M/S and double M/S stereo (film and music), Blumlein, Hamasaki Square | p. 11 |
| From the product page | ||
| Polarity | Positive pressure on the 0° axis gives a positive voltage on pin 2; the 0° and 180° axes are marked by red and black dots on the capsule | |
| Orientation for M/S | The 0° axis (seen from behind the mic) points to the left, with the "8" engraved on top of the capsule exactly horizontal | |
| Capsule size and weight | 34 mm long, 20 mm diameter, 18 g (capsule alone) | |
| Finish | Matte grey; Chromagreen or Smoked Silver (like the classic nickel) to order | |
| Character | Figure-8 kept from low to high frequencies, near-perfect front/back symmetry; response essentially free of off-axis peaks; more bass roll-off and stronger proximity effect than other capsules | |
| Handling | Comparatively sensitive to solid-borne noise, wind and breath; use wind screening and/or shock mounting | |
| Accessory | O-ring No. 800540 for radial alignment on the amplifier (included) | |
| Order number | 131105 | |
| From the catalog | ||
| Capsule | Small-diaphragm, single diaphragm, pure dipole (Colette MK series); lateral pickup"The MK 8 is a pure dipole with a single membrane." The guide: "lateral pickup" (p. 17). | p. 9 |
Documents
- Colette Modular System user guide: CMC microphone amplifiers and MK capsulesEN
- Colette brochureEN
- MK 8 | Microphone capsule | SCHOEPS Microphonesproduct page, technical specifications
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © Schoeps, unchanged, with its original address.
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