Schoeps MK 41 Super Cardioid

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Schoeps MK 41 Super Cardioid

Schoeps

MK 41 Super Cardioid

4.5 Expert Rating

Product Info

Article Number: 150089
Brand: Schoeps
Model: MK 41 Super Cardioid
Price: $878.90

* Prices may vary. Check retailer for current pricing and availability.

The MK 41 is a phenomenal mic for situations where you need laser focus – think drum overheads in a less-than-ideal room, isolating vocals on a busy stage, or capturing ambience without bleed. Its tight pattern and clean sound are seriously impressive. This is a workhorse for broadcast, film, and any application where clarity and rejection are paramount.

Product Description

Schoeps MK 41 G Super Cardioid, Super-Cardioid Capsule

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
PROS
  • • Exceptional off-axis rejection minimizes room coloration and feedback
  • • Highly consistent directivity across the frequency spectrum ensures natural sound
  • • Robust Schoeps build quality guarantees years of reliable performance
  • • Supercardioid pattern excels in challenging, noisy environments
CONS
  • • Supercardioid pattern limits versatility for some recording situations
  • • Premium-priced, making it inaccessible for budget-conscious users
  • • Smaller diaphragm can lack low-frequency warmth in certain applications

Product Video

Key Features

Mic Type Small Diaphragm Condenser
Polar Pattern Supercardioid
Frequency Range 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Max SPL 127 dB
Sensitivity -23 dBV/Pa (11.4 mV/Pa)
Connector XLR-3
Weight 294 g

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Frequently Asked Questions

The MK 41’s supercardioid pattern offers significantly more off-axis rejection, meaning it picks up far less sound from the sides and rear, which is crucial for noisy environments.
It's generally positive; the reduced ambience minimizes unwanted reflections, ideal for dialogue, instruments needing isolation, or situations where a clean, direct signal is needed.
Alternatives include Neumann KM 184 and AKG C451 B, but the MK 41 consistently delivers a more refined and consistent sound, especially regarding its directivity and build quality, justifying its premium price.

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