Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphones

This capsule type has a flat frequency response for frontal sound incidence. This yields a very natural sound when recordings are made within the reverberation radius, where the direct sound (frontal incidence) predominates over the reverberant sound (random angles of incidence).

This type of microphone can and should be used very close to the sound source. The sound image never becomes overly brilliant or sharp. Care must be taken to ensure that the microphone axis is aligned with the sound source, as a loss of treble would result from lateral incidence.

The MK 2 capsule has qualities of a measuring microphone, which is why it has been used for a long time also for measuring purposes.

For calibration with B&K devices, a mechanical adapter of 20 mm diameter is available in inch dimensions, of type AMBK1.

• Omnidirectional capsule (genuine pressure receiver)
• Constant frequency response
• Corrected for a free sound field
• For use close to the sound source
• Frequency range: 20 Hz - 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 15 mV/Pa
• Equivalent noise level: 11 dBA
• Signal-to-noise ratio: 83 dBA
• Peak sound pressure level (at 0.5% THD): 130 dB
• Colour: Grey

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).

Its directivity is highly independent of frequency, so that even sounds arriving off axis and reverberant sound are registered without colouration. Consequently, even distant placement of the capsule produces a very natural sound pickup. This is a real advantage over interference-tube “shotgun” microphones, whose directivity is very frequency-dependent – exceeding that of a supercardioid only at higher frequencies. Interference-tube microphones are notoriously sensitive to their position in a room, where the shifting patterns of reflections cause corresponding shifts in sound color. Thus the MK 41 are surprisingly effective, space-saving alternatives to shotgun microphones – and being small, they can often be placed closer to the sound source.

An M/S microphone arrangement can be set up at quite some distance from the sound source if an MK 41 is used for the “M“ channel.

• Super-cardioid
• High directivity, comparable to mid frequencies with standard (short) shotguns
• High frequency independence of the polar diagram
• Frequency range: 40 Hz - 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 13mV/Pa
• Equivalent noise: A-weighted: 16 dB-A
• CCIR: 24 dB
• Noise ratio, A-weighted: 78 dB A
• SPL (at 0.5% THD): 132 dB
• Surface: Matte grey
• Suitable for CMC 6 Pre-Amp

DPA 2015; condenser microphone; ideal for picking up large instruments or a group of instruments; polar pattern: wide cardioid; frequency range: 20 - 20,000 Hz; dynamic range: 132 dB; max. SPL: 153 dB; sensitivity: 12 mV/Pa; -54 dB re. 1 V/Pa; XLR connector; dimensions (Ø x H): 19 x 94 mm; weight: 83 g; color: black; included in delivery: UA0961 microphone holder, UA0020 windscreen and S-DKF0022 zipper bag

DPA ST2015; stereo microphone set; consisting of 2x DPA 2015; condenser microphone; ideal for picking up large instruments or a group of instruments; polar pattern: wide cardioid; frequency range: 20 - 20,000 Hz; dynamic range: 132 dB; max. SPL: 153 dB; sensitivity: 12 mV/Pa; -54 dB re. 1 V/Pa; XLR connector; dimensions (Ø x H): 19 x 94 mm; weight: 83 g; color: black; included in delivery: 2x 2015, 2x UA0961 microphone holder, 2x UA0020 windscreen and 1x KE2012 zipper case