The supercardioid has the greatest directional effect of any first-order pressure gradient transducer. The response 90° off-axis is -10 dB. The polar diagram is consistent at all frequencies, which means that regardless of its direction of origin, sound will be picked up free of unwanted coloration. For this reason the supercardioid is the preferred type of microphone for dialog recording in film and video sound, particularly indoors.
From low to midrange frequencies, the directionality of a supercardioid is comparable to that of a “shotgun” microphone.
MK 41
The MK 41 is strongly directional. Sound arriving from off axis is attenuated even more than with a cardioid. The pickup is “drier” and less susceptible to acoustic feedback than any other SCHOEPS capsule type (a loudspeaker should not be located directly along the rear axis of the microphone, however).
- supercardioid with highly consistent directionality throughout its frequency range
- for music and speech
- high directivity, comparable to that of a short “shotgun“ microphone up through midrange frequencies
- often preferred for use in film sound recording and as a spot microphone in orchestras
MK 41V
Like the MK 41, the MK 41V is useful in all situations with music or speech, either as a “spot“ microphone or as an overall directional microphone. However, this type of capsule is addressed from the side. It excels particularly in the constancy of its polar response throughout the audio spectrum. As a result, sound within 90º on either side of the main axis is picked up with virtually no alteration of frequency response or tone colour. This is strongly evident with sound sources that are in motion, but is also of great benefit in obtaining stable, precise stereo imaging for normal music recordings.
- supercardioid for vertical pickup (side-addressed)
- for a very wide range of recording applications
- high directivity, comparable to that of a short “shotgun“ microphone up through midrange frequencies
- with especially consistent directionality throughout its frequency range
- often preferred for use in music and speech recording, as a spot microphone and also as a main microphone, especially when using the OCT recording method
| MK 41 | |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | 40 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 14 mV/Pa |
| Equivalent noise level (A-weighted) | 15 dB-A |
| Equivalent noise level (CCIR) | 24 dB |
| Signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted) | 79 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) |
| MK 41 V | |
|---|---|
| Frequency range | 40 Hz - 20 kHz |
| Sensitivity | 14 mV/Pa |
| Equivalent noise level (A-weighted) | 14 dB-A |
| Equivalent noise level (CCIR) | 23 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) |
