Schoeps CMC 6U Microphone Amplifier

The capsules of condenser microphones (the only type which SCHOEPS manufactures) can't be connected directly to microphone cables or inputs; a microphone amplifier is required in between. Thus a complete microphone of the Colette series comprises any of the twenty available types of capsules combined with an amplifier.

The CMC 6 U is designed for standard 48- and 12-Volt phantom powering. Its circuitry recognizes the supply voltage and adjusts itself automatically. Its performance characteristics remain essentially the same either way; mainly, the difference is that the current drawn at 12 Volts is greater than at 48 Volts. However, the 12-Volt mode consumes less power and might be preferred for battery-powered recording.

The microphone amplifier provides the electrostatic charge which the capsule requires in order to produce a signal. Since only a miniscule amount of current is contained in this signal, amplification of the current is required. To avoid interference to the signal on the way from the microphone to the input of the mixer or preamp, the signal is conveyed at low impedance and in balanced form. The CMC 6 U amplifier offers a symmetrical, transformerless, direct-coupled Class A output stage with low impedance, low distortion, and high freedom from interference.

Please note: The two amplifiers in a stereo pair of microphones should be of the same type.

CMC 6 U linear
The CMC 6 U microphone amplifier normally has a gradual rolloff in response below 20 Hz to guard against infrasonic disturbances from various sources such as air movement and vibration. However, when using pressure (omnidirectional) transducers, particularly with digital recording, it can be desirable to pick up frequencies below 20 Hz without attenuation. The special technology of the CMC 6 U linear microphone amplifiers makes this possible.

Caution must be advised with respect to infrasonics, however. Since pressure transducers can pick up very low frequencies, ventilation systems in large spaces (churches, concert halls) or traffic rumble can create a problem. With pressure gradient transducers the risk is even greater. They are far less sensitive to very low frequency sound, but respond much more strongly to low-frequency mechanical stimuli such as air currents and solid-borne noise. Such signals may be below the audible range of frequencies, but they can overload electronic circuitry and produce severe distortion, particularly in transformer-coupled circuitry.