SCHOEPS Linear ORTF-3D Outdoor Set

Product overview

The SCHOEPS Linear ORTF-3D Outdoor Set is an eight-channel microphone array on a 1 m stereo bar for realistic, spatially balanced 3D ambience, even when the microphone cannot be placed centrally in the action.

It builds on the proven SCHOEPS ORTF-3D technique. Unlike the classic ORTF-3D arrangement, the Linear ORTF-3D has a clear preferred direction: it emphasises the front hemisphere and attenuates sound from the rear. Although the array captures directionally, the high decorrelation between the channels creates a natural, spatially coherent image that acoustically compensates for an off-centre position, for example high up in the stands of a football stadium.

Like the ORTF-3D Outdoor Set, it is a plug-and-play setup that works immediately and reliably, even in continuous outdoor operation. Four two-channel basket windshields with fur sit on the 1 m stereo bar, and each windshield houses a vertical XY pair of supercardioid CCM microphones. Integrated heating enables permanent outdoor use, and the set can be mounted either suspended or on a stand.

Key features

• Eight-channel 3D ambience set with a preferred direction, for immersive 3D formats
• Suitable for off-centre positions, e.g. high up in the stadium stands
• Four two-channel basket windshields with fur on a 1 m stereo bar
• Each windshield holds a vertical XY pair: CCM 41 + CCM 41V, supercardioid
• Emphasises the front hemisphere and attenuates sound from the rear
• High channel decorrelation for a natural, spatially coherent image
• Integrated heating enables permanent outdoor use
• Mounts either suspended or on a stand

Array layout

Seen from above, the four pairs sit in a line: the two inner pairs (L/Ltf and R/Rtf) face forward at 0° and are 50 cm apart, and each outer pair (Ls/Ltr and Rs/Rtr) sits 20 cm further out, facing sideways at -90° and +90°. In each pair the lower-layer microphone (L, R, Ls, Rs) is tilted to -20° and the upper-layer microphone (Ltf, Rtf, Ltr, Rtr) to +70°.

Made for

• Ambience at sporting events, including positions high in the stadium stands
• Film sound
• Eight-channel 3D and immersive ambience
• Permanent outdoor installations

In the box

• 4 × CCM 41 supercardioid microphones (lower layer)
• 4 × CCM 41V supercardioid microphones (upper layer)
• 8 × K 5 LU extension cables (5 m) for the microphones
• 4-fold heating system for the Linear ORTF-3D with heating breakout cable (4 cables to XLR-4M)
• PS-H IEC power supply for the heating (XLR-4F, IEC inlet)
• Stereo bar for the Linear ORTF-3D: 1 m mounting bar with 4 × 3/8" threaded stud risers and 1 × central 3/8" threaded bushing
• 4 × basket windshield for the Linear ORTF-3D, with fur, for two microphones

SCHOEPS Linear ORTF-3D Outdoor Set: frequently asked questions

How is it different from the classic ORTF-3D?

The Linear ORTF-3D has a clear preferred direction: it emphasises the front hemisphere and attenuates sound from the rear, which makes it suitable for off-centre positions such as high up in the stands.

How many channels does it record?

Eight: four lower-layer channels (L, R, Ls, Rs) and four upper-layer channels (Ltf, Rtf, Ltr, Rtr), each from a supercardioid CCM microphone.

Which microphones are in the set?

Four CCM 41 supercardioids for the lower layer and four CCM 41V supercardioids for the upper layer, arranged as four vertical XY pairs, plus eight K 5 LU 5 m extension cables.

Can it stay outdoors permanently?

Yes. The integrated 4-fold heating system with its PS-H IEC power supply enables permanent outdoor use, and the basket windshields with fur protect the microphones.

How is it mounted?

Either suspended or on a stand. The 1 m stereo bar has a central 3/8" threaded bushing and four 3/8" threaded stud risers for the windshields.

Where can I buy the SCHOEPS Linear ORTF-3D Outdoor Set in India?

The SCHOEPS Linear ORTF-3D Outdoor Set is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Stadium ambience from the stands

Sports broadcast teams capturing crowd and venue ambience.

Connections

Setup

1. Mount the bar so that its front faces the playing area.
2. Connect the eight microphones with the K 5 LU extension cables.
3. Route the lower layer to L, R, Ls, Rs and the upper layer to Ltf, Rtf, Ltr, Rtr.
4. Set matching gains on all eight inputs.

Tip: The preferred direction emphasises the field and attenuates sound from the rear of the stand.

Workflow 2: Suspended mounting

Venue and broadcast installers hanging the array above an area.

Connections

Setup

1. Attach the bar by its central 3/8" threaded bushing.
2. Check that the four windshields hang level.
3. Lay the cables along the bar to the hanging point.

Tip: The set mounts either suspended or on a stand.

Workflow 3: Permanent outdoor position

Installers of fixed outdoor ambience positions.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the four heating cables to the breakout cable.
2. Plug the breakout into the PS-H IEC power supply.
3. Power the supply from the mains and leave the heating running.

Tip: The integrated heating enables permanent outdoor use.

Workflow 4: Film sound ambience

Film sound recordists capturing 3D atmospheres.

Connections

Setup

1. Place the array facing the scene of interest.
2. Record all eight channels on separate tracks.
3. Keep the channel names L, R, Ls, Rs, Ltf, Rtf, Ltr, Rtr for the mix.

Tip: A plug-and-play setup that works immediately as delivered.

Workflow 5: Off-centre positions

Recordists who cannot place a microphone in the middle of the action.

Connections

Setup

1. Aim the front of the array at the action.
2. Let the rear attenuation reduce sound from behind.
3. Record all eight channels.

Tip: High channel decorrelation compensates acoustically for the off-centre position.

Workflow 6: Routing into an eight-channel 3D mix

Mixing engineers working in immersive formats.

Connections

Setup

1. Assign the inner pair to the front channels and the outer pairs to the sides.
2. Assign the upper-layer microphones to the height channels.
3. Balance the layers by ear.

Tip: Inner pairs face 0°, outer pairs -90° and +90°.