The Schoeps MK 8 is a Colette-series capsule with a true figure-of-eight pickup pattern. Schoeps describes the MK 8 as a special technical accomplishment: despite the minimal available force in a pressure-gradient design, it achieves excellent frequency and polar response, near-perfect front/back symmetry, and low inherent noise. The MK 8 is a vertical (side-address) capsule: the pickup direction is perpendicular to the microphone body. The 0° and 180° axes are marked by red and black dots on the capsule. For M/S recording, Schoeps notes that the 0° axis (viewed from behind the microphone) should point to the left, and the engraved “8” on top should be precisely horizontal. The capsule is comparatively sensitive to solid-borne sound as well as wind and breath noise. Good protection should be considered, e.g. suitable wind screening and/or shock mounting. In fixed-orientation setups with CMC 1/6 where the microphone cannot be freely rotated, radial alignment of vertical capsules may be required; Schoeps provides an O-ring (No. 800540) for this purpose, which is included with the MK 8. Main Features Figure-of-eight pickup pattern: front and rear pickup with strong side rejection. Front/back symmetry: near-perfect symmetry as stated by Schoeps. Vertical (side-address) capsule: pickup axis perpendicular to the body, with red/black 0°/180° markings. Practical handling: comparatively sensitive to solid-borne sound and wind/breath noise; protection recommended. Radial alignment: O-ring No. 800540 is included for fixed-orientation CMC 1/6 setups. Specifications Pickup pattern: figure-of-eight Frequency range: 40 Hz – 15 kHz; 40 Hz – 15 kHz with CMC 6xt Sensitivity: 12 mV/Pa (–38.5 dB (V/Pa)) Equivalent noise level (A-weighted): 17 dB Equivalent noise level (CCIR): 26 dB Signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted): 77 dB Maximum SPL (THD < 0.5%): 133 dB SPL with CMC 6; 137 dB SPL with CMC 1 Dimensions: length 34 mm; diameter 20 mm Weight: 18 g Surface finish: matte gray; custom color: Chromagreen, Smoked Silver (looks like the classic Schoeps nickel) Compatible microphone amplifiers Schoeps CMC 1 U Schoeps CMC 1 L Schoeps CMC 1 K Schoeps CMC 6 Schoeps CMC 6xt
