SCHOEPS MK 4P

Product overview

The SCHOEPS MK 4P is a cardioid microphone capsule of the Colette system for close speech pickup at less than 20 cm, with a moderate low-frequency rolloff of -6 dB at 100 Hz.

It is designed for the very closest speech pickup, directly in front of the speaker's mouth. Its low-frequency rolloff is compensated by proximity effect, so up to the point of its high-frequency emphasis it has a flat frequency response for the speaker's voice, while all sound that originates from a greater distance is rolled off at low frequencies. As a result, background sounds are picked up less strongly than the person speaking.

Its polar diagram is identical to that of the MK 4. The MK 4P belongs to the SCHOEPS close pickup capsules, which come in two levels of low-frequency rolloff: P (moderate) and XP (strong). For places with loud low-frequency environmental sound, SCHOEPS also offers the XP types with a strong rolloff. The close pickup capsules also offer increased protection from plosive noise. The capsule screws onto a Colette microphone amplifier such as the CMC 6, CMC 1 U or CMC 1 L.

Key features

• Cardioid for close speech pickup (under 20 cm)
• Moderate low-frequency rolloff: -6 dB at 100 Hz, compensated by proximity effect
• Flat response for the speaker's voice; background sound picked up less strongly
• Polar diagram identical to the MK 4
• Increased protection from plosive noise
• Preferred applications: close speech pickup and public address systems
• Screws onto the Colette amplifiers CMC 6, CMC 1 U and CMC 1 L

Made for

• Close speech pickup directly in front of the mouth
• Public address systems
• Speech where background sound should stay low
• Speech on TR or TSR table stands

In the box

• MK 4P cardioid capsule (a Colette microphone amplifier is needed, available separately)

SCHOEPS MK 4P: frequently asked questions

Is the MK 4P a complete microphone?

No. The MK 4P is a capsule of the Colette modular system; it screws onto a Colette microphone amplifier such as the CMC 6, CMC 1 U or CMC 1 L. The CCM 4P is the same capsule type as a compact microphone.

Why does the MK 4P roll off the low frequencies?

Very close to the mouth, proximity effect lifts the bass of the voice. The moderate rolloff (-6 dB at 100 Hz) compensates for this, so the voice has a flat response while more distant background sound is picked up with less low end.

What is the difference between P and XP?

P types have a moderate low-frequency rolloff (-6 dB at 100 Hz) for speech under 20 cm; XP types have a strong rolloff (-10 dB at 100 Hz) for speech under 10 cm and for loud low-frequency surroundings. The MK 4P is a P type; the similar capsule is the MK 4XP.

What does the amplifier change?

With the CMC 6 the frequency range is 40 Hz - 26 kHz; with the CMC 6xt it extends to 40 Hz - 42 kHz. The published data refer to the CMC 6.

Which pop protection is recommended?

SCHOEPS recommends the B 5 D hollow foam wind and pop shield for 20 mm and the B 1 D hollow foam pop shield for 20 mm.

Where can I buy the SCHOEPS MK 4P in India?

The SCHOEPS MK 4P is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Speech at a desk or lectern

Installers and recordists covering talkers at close range.

Connections

Setup

1. Screw the MK 4P onto a Colette amplifier such as the CMC 1 L.
2. Mount it on a TR or TSR table stand.
3. Place the capsule within 20 cm of the mouth.
4. Switch on phantom power and set the gain.

Tip: SCHOEPS recommends the TR and TSR table stands for the close pickup capsules.

Workflow 2: Reducing background sound

Anyone recording a voice in a room with noise.

Connections

Setup

1. Keep the talker within 20 cm.
2. Aim the capsule at the mouth.
3. Set the gain for the close voice.

Tip: Distant sound is rolled off at low frequencies, so background sounds are picked up less strongly than the person speaking.

Workflow 3: Pop protection

Talkers working very close to the microphone.

Connections

Setup

1. Fit the B 5 D over the capsule.
2. Position the talker as usual.
3. Check plosives on a test take.

Tip: The close pickup capsules already offer increased protection from plosive noise.

Workflow 4: Choosing the amplifier

Users building a complete Colette microphone.

Connections

Setup

1. Use the CMC 1 U for an XLR output in a short housing.
2. Use the CMC 1 L for a Lemo output.
3. Use the CMC 6 as the classic Colette amplifier.

Tip: With the CMC 6xt the frequency range extends to 40 Hz - 42 kHz.

Workflow 5: Public address

Installers of PA systems for speech.

Connections

Setup

1. Place the microphone close to the talker's mouth.
2. Point the rear of the cardioid away from the loudspeakers.
3. Set the gain for speech.

Tip: Public address systems are a preferred application of this capsule.

Workflow 6: Studio speech at close range

Voice recordists who want a natural voice despite close placement.

Connections

Setup

1. Place the capsule within 20 cm of the mouth.
2. Fit the recommended pop shield.
3. Record; the rolloff balances the proximity effect.

Tip: The polar diagram is identical to the MK 4.