SCHOEPS OCT Sets

Product overview

The SCHOEPS OCT Sets are microphone sets for recording with the OCT technique (Optimized Cardioid Triangle) for the front channels L, C and R, and with OCT Surround for 5.1 surround sound.

OCT gives good directional imaging with a very linear localisation curve, a large listening area thanks to very little crosstalk between the L/C and C/R sectors, and a natural spatial impression through a very natural reflection pattern. OCT Surround extends OCT with two cardioid microphones for the surround channels LS and RS.

The OCT Set contains two CCM 41 L supercardioids, one CCM 4 L cardioid and one MAB 1000 stereo bar. The OCT Surround Set contains two CCM 41 L supercardioids, three CCM 4 L cardioids and two MAB 1000 bars with the CB-MAB. Each microphone comes with an SGC clamp, a case and a K 5 LU adapter cable (Lemo to XLR-3M).

Key features

• OCT (Optimized Cardioid Triangle) for the front channels L/C/R
• Good directional imaging, very linear localisation curve
• Large listening area through very little crosstalk between the L/C and C/R sectors
• Natural spatial impression through a very natural reflection pattern
• OCT Surround adds two cardioids for LS and RS
• MAB 1000 stereo bar; two bars with CB-MAB in the OCT Surround Set
• Each microphone with SGC clamp, case and K 5 LU adapter cable

How OCT works

A forward-facing cardioid picks up the centre channel. For L and R, two supercardioids sit at either end of an imaginary line 8 cm behind the centre microphone and point to the left and right (±90°). Their distance of 40 to 90 cm sets the recording angle. Sound from the extreme right reaches the right supercardioid on axis (0 dB), the cardioid 6 dB lower and the rear lobe of the left supercardioid 10 dB lower, delayed and with inverted polarity, so no phantom images form in the wrong sector and the centre channel stays clean.

With the cardioid 8 cm forward, a spacing of 40 cm gives a recording angle of 160°, 50 cm 140°, 60 cm 120°, 70 cm 110°, 80 cm 100° and 90 cm 90°. It is better to err towards greater spacing to avoid centre-heavy images. Because the supercardioids receive so much sound from off axis, small-diaphragm condenser microphones are needed, whose frequency response is independent of the angle of incidence.

Made for

• Front L/C/R recording for surround productions
• 5.1 surround recording with OCT Surround
• Choir and ensemble recording in churches and halls

In the box

• OCT Set (No. 129003): 2 × CCM 41 L supercardioid, 1 × CCM 4 L cardioid, 1 × MAB 1000 stereo bar
• OCT Surround Set (No. 129004): 2 × CCM 41 L supercardioid, 3 × CCM 4 L cardioid, 2 × MAB 1000 + CB-MAB stereo bar system
• With each microphone: SGC clamp, case and K 5 LU adapter cable (Lemo / XLR-3M)

SCHOEPS OCT Sets: frequently asked questions

What does OCT stand for?

Optimized Cardioid Triangle, a microphone technique for the front channels L, C and R.

What is the difference between the OCT Set and the OCT Surround Set?

The OCT Set covers the front channels with three microphones on one MAB 1000. The OCT Surround Set adds two cardioids for LS and RS and uses two MAB 1000 bars with the CB-MAB.

How is the recording angle set?

By the distance between the two supercardioids: from 160° at 40 cm to 90° at 90 cm, with the cardioid 8 cm forward.

Can I use Colette microphones instead of the CCM?

Yes. Combinations of the CMC 1 L amplifier and an MK capsule are also suitable, and the sets can be ordered in this modular form.

Which wind and pop protection fits?

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

Where can I buy the SCHOEPS OCT Sets in India?

The SCHOEPS OCT Sets are available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: OCT front array for L/C/R

Recording engineers capturing the front channels of a surround production.

Connections

Setup

1. Mount the cardioid facing forward in the centre, 8 cm in front of the supercardioids.
2. Set the supercardioid spacing for the recording angle (for example 60 cm for 120°).
3. Aim the supercardioids to the left and right (±90°) and route L, C and R to separate tracks.

Tip: When in doubt, choose the greater spacing to avoid a centre-heavy image.

Workflow 2: OCT Surround for 5.1

Engineers recording ensembles and choirs in 5.1.

Connections

Setup

1. Build the OCT front array on the first MAB 1000.
2. Mount the two surround cardioids for LS and RS on the second bar.
3. Route the five signals discretely to five tracks.

Tip: A SCHOEPS OCT Surround sound sample of a choir in a church uses the five signals discretely routed and unprocessed.