Cardioid

The MK 4 and CCM 4 are optimized for maximum rejection of rear-incident sound. Typical of the classic cardioid, at 90° to its axis the attenuation is 6 dB, while from the rear (180°) it can be as much as 30 dB, depending on the frequency. The random-energy efficiency* ? the ratio of on-axis sensitivity to diffuse sound field efficiency ? is 4.8 dB. (The higher this figure, the less “room sound” is picked up by a microphone, and the less susceptible it is to acoustic feedback.)

Due to its directivity, the MK 4/ CCM 4 can be placed 1.7 times farther from the sound source than a pressure transducer of equivalent sensitivity, while maintaining the same proportion of direct and reverberant sound. In the diffuse sound field (distant from a sound source in a room, for instance), this microphone type has flat frequency response except for a slight emphasis around 10 kHz.

It is ideal for speech as well as for music recordings, with a well-defined sound image free of coloration. When used for X/Y recording or as a Mid microphone in a Mid-Side configuration, it delivers exceptional results. It is also the capsule intended for use with our ORTF stereo microphone (MSTC 64 or STCg).

This microphone type has the most general applicability and is the type most widely used.

Note:
Although our normal production tolerances are very close, we can deliver specially matched capsule or Compact Microphone pairs for a small extra charge.

Microphone Capsule MK 4V
Compact Microphone CCM 4V

cardioid for lateral pickup
for universal application
slight high-frequency emphasis

MK 4Vg microphone capsule,
Compact Microphones
CCM 4V Ug, CCM 4V Lg

The MK 4V and CCM 4V were created in answer to requests for a cardioid microphone whose main axis is along the side of the capsule. In addition to its usefulness in the concert hall, this microphone type is of particular value in speech recording, since its slight emphasis around 10 kHz helps to improve intelligibility.

The directional response is especially well maintained even at higher frequencies, due to the acoustically transparent housing. High-frequency emphasis of off-axis sound ? typical of most small axial-response cardioids ? occurs less with the MK 4V/ CCM 4V, but because of its inherent frequency response, it still sounds somewhat brighter overall than the MK 4 or CCM 4.

The MK 4V may be easier to use in near-coincident setups than the MK 4: the microphone bodies do not get in each other's way. With the MK 4 this can be avoided using GVC “elbows” or Colette cables.

Note:
Though not specifically designed for such use, the MK 4V capsule can also be used on the RC Active Tube or the variable angle joint GVC; when fully tightened it will rarely be aimed where you intend. On request we will supply an elastic ring which can be slipped over the threads of the RC or GVC so that the final turn of the capsule will place it at the desired angle of rotation.

Note:
Although our normal production tolerances are very close, we can deliver specially matched capsule or Compact Microphone pairs for a small extra charge.

*The random-energy efficiency is the ratio of on-axis sensitivity to diffuse sound field efficiency. The larger it is, the higher the suppression of diffuse or reflected sound. The random-energy is frequency-dependent and rises towards high frequencies.