The matte gray MK 41V Microphone Capsule from Schoeps 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 90° on either side of the main axis is picked up with virtually no alteration of frequency response or tone color. This is strongly evident with sound sources that are in motion, but is also of benefit in obtaining stable, precise stereo imaging for normal music recordings.

This capsule type is preferred as a support microphone as well as in the OCT (Optimized Cardioid Triangle) microphone system for surround sound recording. The front left and right channels in that system are picked up by sideways-facing supercardioid microphones. When mounted on CMC amplifiers, the MK 41V Capsule may be easier to use in near-coincident setups because the parallel microphone bodies will not get in each other's way.

Supercardioid for vertical pickup (side-addressed)

For a 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

Related Questions and Answers

Q: 1. does this work in a car?

A: The MK-58 Pro requires a preamplifier. It will not operate when connected to a line level input such as an aux input on a typical car stereo.

Q: 2. I'm wondering: is the SSH-6 as good as the SGH-6 in terms of directional 'power'? Or do i need to move it closer to the subject than with the SGH-6?

A: I conducted several tests using both the SGH-6 and the SSH-6. The SSH-6 is 1 inch longer than the SGH-6. The end of the microphone was moved back by 1 inch for each SSH-6 test. So, the distance from the end of the microphone to my mouth was always the same for both. I conducted the tests at 6 inches, 1 foot, 2 feet, and 3 feet. In each case to achieve a level above 12 dB but below 6 dB I adjusted the gain on the microphone. In all cases the two microphones required the same gain. The side stereo level on the SSH-6 was set to 0 dBfor all test. So, I would say to your question, Yes, the power and beam for the shotgun portion of the two microphones are the same.

Q: 3. Considering a shotgun mic for my H6. Would there be any reason to own both the SSH and SGH versions? Is the SSH just an SGH with stereo side recording capabilities?

A: Both the SSH-6 and SGH-6 are shotgun microphones, capable of capturing audio at farther distances than a traditional handheld microphone. The benefit of the SSH-6 is that it captures audio in stereo; a benefit mostly used in music and ambient sound recording. If you are just recording dialogue, the SGH-6 would be more than adequate.

Q: 4. does the SSH-6 require phantom power?

A: No idea, but as long as you connect it to a Zoom audio module like the F1 (the one I have), etc... it will be powered. This is for sure not a stand alone mic. It is designed to be used on capsule compatible zoom recorders. Not your question but let me tell you this thing is amazing ! Cheers.

Q: 5. Can we mix the directional shotgun mono with the stereo ambience in post? Or is the mix embedded into the audio track as set on the device?

A: The mix will be a mid-side stereo track. You would need mid-side decoder plug-in software to separate the mono mic and the bi-directional mic stereo track in post production.

Q: 6. Can I dj with it?

A: Yes, the MK-58 PRO can be used for DJing as well as any vocal and speaking applications.

Q: 7. What is the Signal-To-Noise Ratio for this?

A: At this time, the SNR is not specified by the manufacturer.

Q: 8. Is it possible to record the M and S mics on separate channels for matrixing in post? Can you do this with the Q8? Thanks in advance.

A: There is an option to either enable or disable the mid-side matrix. If you disable it and you record in MOV+WAV format, one of the WAV channels will be the shotgun mic and the other will be the side mic. Please note side is a single source in a figure-8 pattern, not two different sources (left and right side). If you are going to do post-processing and want to control the ambient sound in the mix, definitely disable the matrix. It is quite straightforward then to mix in the ambient sound in post production. You may have to split the stereo WAV file, depending on what DAW you are using.

Q: 9. What kind of distance will this work with, roughly?

A: There is no specification for the operating distance. Variables like ambient noise,sound level of the subject, indoors or outdoors, size and composition of the inside space and flooring, wall and ceiling are all factors to consider. In general - get your mics as close to the source as possible.

Q: 10. When using this in RAW (mid and side recorded separately, to balance later in post, rather than blending while recording) on the H5, can the H5 still record a second back-up track at reduced gain? From the little I've read on the tech of mid-side, I'm thinking it could work: capsule's stereo file 1 of 2 is mono-mid on left channel and mono-side on right channel, leaving capsule's stereo file 2 of 2 to record same at -12dB. Good guess, or wishful thinking?

A: Yes!