SCHOEPS introduced the world’s first wide cardioid microphones and capsules some twenty years ago. This pattern combines the advantages of omnidirectional and cardioid characteristics in an optimal manner. To an extraordinary extent the directionality is independent of frequency, which means that regardless of its direction of origin, sound will be picked up free of unwanted coloration.
The wide cardioid is very well liked as a musical instrument microphone. Its sound quality, compared with that of a cardioid, is “warmer” and more “open.”
This type of capsule has a directional pattern between omni and cardioid. The basic idea in designing this capsule was to combine the advantages of the cardioid with those of the omni. This results in a pickup pattern which blends the two sets of characteristics. It has fuller and more extended low-frequency response than a cardioid, with less proximity effect, while picking up more room sound than a cardioid.
The polar diagram shows the directivity of the MK 21 to be only slightly dependent on frequency. This contrasts with omnidirectional capsules, whose directivity increases with rising frequency, and with cardioids (at least smaller ones), which tend to accentuate high frequencies that arrive at oblique angles.
- wide cardioid
- especially consistent directionality throughout its frequency range
- pleasant sonic impression, often described as “warm”
- often preferred for use as a spot microphone, or as the main pair for overall stereo pickup
| MK 21 | |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | 30 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 13 mV/Pa |
| Equivalent noise level (A-weighted) | 14 dB-A |
| Equivalent noise level (CCIR) | 24 dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted) | 80 dB-A |
| Maximum sound pressure level at 0.5% THD | 132 dB-SPL |
| Length | 22 mm |
| Diameter | 20 mm |
| Weight | 17 g |
| Surface finish | matte gray (g) or nickel (ni) |
