CCM 21

Compact Microphone

Features

  • wide cardioid with especially consistent directionality throughout its frequency range
  • pleasant sound image, often described as “warm”
  • often preferred for use as a spot microphone, or as the main pair for overall stereo pickup

This microphone can also be ordered as a modular Colette microphone, where the CMC 1 L amplifier is combined with an MK microphone capsule. (CMC 1 L + MK 21)
This variant allows the capsule to be exchanged and has advantages in terms of electrical properties in combination with digital wireless transmitters.


Order number

  • No. 121003 CCM 21 L (standard Lemo version)
  • No. 121004 CCM 21 K (fixed cable version with XLR)

Description

This type of microphone has a directional pattern between omni and cardioid. The basic idea in designing the CCM 21 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 in a useful manner. It has fuller and more extended low frequency response than a cardioid, with less proximity effect, while attenuating side- and rear-incident sound less than a cardioid.

The polar diagram shows the directivity of the CCM 21 to be only slightly dependent on...

This type of microphone has a directional pattern between omni and cardioid. The basic idea in designing the CCM 21 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 in a useful manner. It has fuller and more extended low frequency response than a cardioid, with less proximity effect, while attenuating side- and rear-incident sound less than a cardioid.

The polar diagram shows the directivity of the CCM 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. The CCM 21’s orientation is less critical than with a cardioid, since direct sound arriving on axis and reverberant or other sounds off axis are both reproduced accurately. This lack of coloration in the off-axis pickup produces a “warm” and natural sonic impression.

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Practice

When used as a spot microphone, the CCM 21 must be placed somewhat closer to the sound source than a cardioid would be, due to its lower directivity. Its uniform off-axis response helps to blend nearby instruments seamlessly into the overall mix. For wide pickups where some directivity of the microphone is advantageous, as in acoustically difficult rooms where the bass would be too strong when using omnis, the CCM 21 can be especially helpful.

The low directivity of this capsule type prevents it from generating large enough level differences...

When used as a spot microphone, the CCM 21 must be placed somewhat closer to the sound source than a cardioid would be, due to its lower directivity. Its uniform off-axis response helps to blend nearby instruments seamlessly into the overall mix. For wide pickups where some directivity of the microphone is advantageous, as in acoustically difficult rooms where the bass would be too strong when using omnis, the CCM 21 can be especially helpful.

The low directivity of this capsule type prevents it from generating large enough level differences for X/Y use, though M/S and near-coincident spacings are often successful.

Together with the cardioid and supercardioid, this is one of the most preferred types among our capsules.

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Technical Specifications

Frequency range

see corresponding capsule

Sensitivity

see corresponding capsule

Maximum sound pressure level (THD < 0.5 %)

136 dB-SPL (P48)
128 dB-SPL (P12)

Maximum output voltage

2,6 V (8,3 dbV) at 2 kΩ load

Low cut filter

20 Hz, 12 dB/Okt.

Output impedance

90 Ω @ 1 kHz

Maximum cable length

> 400 m

SCHOEPS RFI Shield

No

Powering standard / Valid range

P48 / > 40 V
P12 / > 10 V

Current consumption

4 mA (P48)
3,6 mA (P12)

Common mode rejection ratio (at 1 kHz)

> 55 dB

Minimum recommended load impedance

2 kΩ

Output

Lemo (CCM-L) or XLR-3M (CCM-K),
analog, 1 channel

Length

46 mm (CCM-L)

Diameter

20 mm

Weight

45 g (CCM-L)

Surface finish

matte gray

Product History

  • 1994: Launch of the CCM, hybrid technology circuit. The capsule part is identical to the MK capsules from the beginning  
  • 2016: better RF filter to protect from interferences
  • 2017: Polarization voltage generator now with higher frequency above 200 kHz due to downpitching in sound design applications.

Graphics

Downloads

CCM

Compact Condenser Microphones

User guides, manuals

en
Berliner Philharmonie

"Orchester aus der digitalen Kiste - Digital Concert Hall" pma, Januar 2013.

Press Articles

de
Berlin Philharmonic

"Berlin Philharmonic - The world famous concert hall has switched to Schoeps mics" by Zenon Schoepe, Resolution Magazine, March 2012.

Press Articles

en

Variants & Options

  • No. 191701 "Matching of two microphone capsules including certificate": Although our normal production tolerances are very close, we can deliver specially matched compact microphone pairs.
  • No 191102 custom color: other custom colors on request
  • Each CCM microphone is available as a standard version "L" with a Lemo plug and as a version "K" with a permanently attached 5 m cable and XLR-3M connector. (Specified cable lengths may vary up to 5% (+/-).)