SCHOEPS MK 4VXP

Product overview

The SCHOEPS MK 4VXP is a side-addressed cardioid microphone capsule of the Colette system for very close speech pickup at less than 10 cm, with a strong low-frequency rolloff of -10 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 4V. The MK 4VXP belongs to the SCHOEPS close pickup capsules, which come in two levels of low-frequency rolloff: P (moderate) and XP (strong). The strong rolloff suits places with loud low-frequency environmental sound, for example a reporter in a stadium. 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

• Side-addressed cardioid for very close speech pickup (under 10 cm)
• Strong low-frequency rolloff: -10 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 4V
• Increased protection from plosive noise
• Preferred applications: close speech pickup; also available in the HSC 4VXP headset
• 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
• Speech in loud low-frequency surroundings, e.g. a reporter in a stadium
• Speech on TR or TSR table stands
• Headset use, as in the HSC 4VXP

In the box

• MK 4VXP side-addressed cardioid capsule (a Colette microphone amplifier is needed, available separately)

SCHOEPS MK 4VXP: frequently asked questions

Is the MK 4VXP a complete microphone?

No. The MK 4VXP 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 4VXP is the same capsule type as a compact microphone.

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

Very close to the mouth, proximity effect lifts the bass of the voice. The strong rolloff (-10 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 4VXP is an XP type; the similar capsule is the MK 4VP.

What does side-addressed mean?

The MK 4VXP is addressed from the side, with a polar diagram identical to the MK 4V. The same capsule type is used in the HSC 4VXP headset.

Which pop protection is recommended?

SCHOEPS recommends the B 5 solid foam pop screen for 20 mm.

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

The SCHOEPS MK 4VXP 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 4VXP 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 10 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 10 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 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 - 39 kHz.

Workflow 5: Commentary in loud surroundings

Reporters and commentators in stadiums and other loud places.

Connections

Setup

1. Place the capsule within 10 cm of the mouth.
2. Fit a pop shield.
3. Set the gain for the voice.

Tip: The XP types are made for loud low-frequency environmental sound, for example a reporter in a stadium.

Workflow 6: As a headset capsule

Commentators who need microphone and headphones in one unit.

Connections

Setup

1. Use the HSC 4VXP, which carries this capsule type on a gooseneck.
2. Position the capsule beside the mouth.
3. Connect the XLR-3M microphone output and the headphone plug.

Tip: The headset combines microphone, gooseneck and headphones in one unit, with a B 5 pop screen included.