Schoeps MK 8 Bidirectional Capsule - Matched Pair, Matte Gray

The Schoeps MK 8 is a bidirectional capsule often used for M/S and double M/S stereo sound in film sound and music recording, in combination with Colette or CCM microphones and/or a CMIT shotgun microphone. This type of capsule is a pure dipole. The figure-eight pattern of the MK 8 remains constant from low to high frequencies, which is particularly important when used in an M/S setup. Its sensitivity rolls off more at low frequencies than other capsules, but proximity effect (which can compensate, given relatively close placement) is also more pronounced.

HISTORY OF THE MK 8

The MK 8 capsule of the Colette series wasn't an entirely new development, since SCHOEPS had offered a single-pattern bidirectional (figure-8) capsule for the M 221 B series starting in 1960, but there was only very limited production. With the market for a Colette-series equivalent unknown, there was some initial reluctance to risk developing it. But the decision was made, the MK 8 was introduced, and many thousands have been sold since then. It enables not only stereo music recording with the classic "Blumlein" (crossed figure-8) recording method, but it also can easily be "piggybacked" onto another microphone for "mid-side" (MS) recording, which is popular both for music and for film/video dialog recording.

EXCEPTIONAL FREQUENCY AND POLAR RESPONSE

Production of the MK 8 is a special technical accomplishment, because in terms of physics, the available force due to the pressure gradient is minimal. Despite this, the MK 8 has excellent frequency and polar response, near-perfect front/back symmetry, and low inherent noise. The microphone is comparatively sensitive to solid-borne sound as well as wind and breath noise. Good protection should be considered, e.g. suitable wind screening and/or shock mounting.

LATERAL PICKUP

The pickup direction is lateral, i.e. perpendicular to the microphone housing, and the 0° and 180° axes are indicated respectively by red and black dots on the capsule housing. When recording with M/S, the 0° axis (as viewed from a position behind the microphone) should point to the left, and the "8" engraved on top of the capsule should be precisely horizontal.

SCHOEPS MK 8 FEATURES:

• Bidirectional capsule compatible with Colette, CCM, or CMIT modular microphone systems
• Lateral pickup direction, perpendicular to the microphone axis)
• 0°-axis marked with a red dot
• Great for M/S, double M/S and "Blumlein" stereo applications