The matte gray Colette CMC 6U Microphone Amplifier & MK21 Wide Cardioid Capsule from Schoeps includes the CMC 6U Analog Microphone Amplifier, MK 21 Wide Cardioid Microphone Capsule, SG 20 Microphone Stand Adapter, B 5 Solid Foam Popscreen, and a wooden storage case.
The CMC 6U Analog Microphone Amplifier is designed for standard 48 and 12V phantom powering. Its circuitry recognizes the supply voltage and adjusts itself automatically. Its performance characteristics remain essentially the same either way. The main difference is that the current drawn at 12V is greater than that drawn at 48V. However, the 12V mode consumes less power and might be preferred for battery-powered recording.
The microphone amplifier provides electrostatic charge, which the capsule requires in order to produce a signal. Since only a miniscule amount of current is contained in this signal, amplification of the current is required. To avoid interference with the signal on the way from the microphone to the input of the mixer or preamp, the signal is conveyed at low impedance and in a balanced form. The CMC 6U Amplifier offers a symmetrical, transformerless, direct-coupled Class A output stage with low impedance, distortion, and interference.
The MK 21 Wide Cardioid Capsule has a directional pattern between omni and cardioid. It combines the advantages of the cardioid capsule with those of the omni. This results in a pickup pattern that blends the two sets of characteristics. This capsule has a fuller and more extended low-frequency response than a cardioid capsule with less proximity effect while picking up more room sound than a cardioid capsule.
The MK 21 Capsule's orientation is less critical than with a cardioid, since direct sound arriving on axis and reverberant or other sounds off axis are both reproduced accurately. This lack of coloration in the off-axis pickup produces a warm and natural sonic impression. The low directivity of this capsule type prevents it from generating large enough level differences for X/Y use, though M/S and near-coincident spacings are often successful.
The Schoeps CMC6-U is a balanced output stage and +12 to +48V phantom power supply for the Schoeps Colette series modular capsules. The transformer-less output stage ensures low-noise and pristine audio reproduction throughout. The CMC6-U is terminated with a standard balanced 3-pin XLR connection for use with standard microphone inputs and preamplifiers.
The Schoeps MK21 is part of the Colette series of modular capsules designed for use with the CMC preamplifiers. Designed for close proximity capturing, the MK21 provides a wide cardioid polar pattern that provides a uniform response around the front hemisphere of the capsule. The wide cardioid pattern provides a more generous pick at the off-axis sections, although not quite as wide as an omnidirectional. The uniform frequency response results in an overall "warm" tonal quality, enhancing vocal performances and instrument capturing at close proximities.
This gray Solid Foam Teardrop Popscreen from Schoeps is an acoustic foam close-speech popscreen intended for use with Schoeps Colette Series microphones, but compatible with other microphone capsules as well. It provides sufficient protection at normal speaking distances for cardioids and other directional capsules, especially when speech capsules are used. With omnidirectional capsules, it may even be used outdoors in light wind. This popscreen has minimal effect on sound quality.
The Schoeps SG20 Microphone Stand Adapter is designed to stand mount microphones measuring 20mm or 21mm in diameter. The SG20 features a strong metal housing and a durable plastic clamp. Its base is threaded for 5/8"-27 stands, and a threaded adapter is included to accommodate 3/8" and 1/2" mounting. The angle is continuously variable.