SCHOEPS HISTORY
Schoeps is a microphone brand that continues to inspire a sense of quality in the professional microphone market. This has been true from the very beginning of the company’s foundation in 1948 right up till now. Although an International brand Schoeps is still what could be considered a family owned business with Ulrich Schoeps, the son of the founder Dr. Karl Schoeps holding the majority of company shares. Ulrich Schoeps served as CEO for 28 years up until his retirement in 2015. At this point the role of management was handed over to Helmut Wittek and Karin Fléing who run the company today. Schoeps Mikrofone is steeped in tradition keeping their headquarters in the picturesque town of Durlach Germany where it was originally founded.
The very first microphone manufactured by Schoeps was in 1948 and was known simply as “The Prototype” – this microphone was rather large with a diameter of approx. 80mm and length approx. 320mm. In 1951 Schoeps refined the Prototype and came out with CMV50/2. Then in 1951 the CM 51/3 was introduced. This microphone looks very similar to the current V4 condenser microphone which was introduced in 2014. More on this beautiful mic soon.
In 1973 the famous “Collette” series was launched. This microphone series is still being manufactured today and continues to be at the very pinnacle of microphone quality.
Have you ever seen the 3 Tenors sing live and wondered what that small, discrete microphone perched in front of them was? This was the Colette. It’s amazing how a small diaphragm microphone can capture such a full sound from a huge voice like the famous Tenors. All Colette models have been improved over the years. Today the Colette-series includes 20 capsules, 6 microphone amplifiers (analog, digital, battery-powered for pocket transmitters and tube). A wealth of accessories are available for the Colette; this includes microphone tubes, filters, goosenecks, table mounts, cables, elastic suspensions, cable hanger, clamps, stands, instrument adapters, pop and windscreens as well as stereo microphones and accessories for stereo and surround. As you can see the Colette can deliver a professional sound in a number of configurations and unusual placements.
Along with the miniaturization already made possible by the active Colette cables and tubes, in 1994 a new miniaturized microphone was introduced. Called the CCM, this series represents the smallest ever “classic” studio condenser microphone (that is, without an electret element), with a fully balanced output.
In 2014 Schoeps released the elegant V4. As mentioned earlier the V4 takes its cue from the classic 1951 CM51/3 microphone shape. Although the V4 has this beautiful classic vintage look, the internal design is very modern. The V4 U was given a new, highly original capsule with a 33 mm diameter ring-shaped plate which causes a gradual increase in directivity at higher frequencies, similar to a large-diaphragm microphone. But the V4 remains a true small-diaphragm microphone with all the advantages that this implies. You need to hear this microphone.
Following the introduction of the CMIT 5 in 2005 and the SuperCMIT in 2010, the MiniCMIT, lauched in 2016 represents a logical further development of the CMIT series. The miniaturized, modern electronics with the SCHOEPS “RFI-Shield” guarantee optimum safety against radio interference and include a fixed, steep LowCut filter for optimal application on the boom without any loss in sound quality. These microphones are the choice of broadcast professionals who need the absolute best quality for sporting events, film and television.
Although vast in its array of variations with respect to model, accessories and capsule choice, the Schoeps microphone catalogue is broken down into 4 distinct microphones – The Colette, CCM, V4 and Shotgun along with their variants.
The Colette Series comprises of a microphone capsule screwed into an amplification unit. With the extensive array of options, this microphone is at home in studios as well as live performances.
The CCM and Colette microphones use the identical microphone capsules and their electrical specifications are also equal. The choice between the two series is, therefore, a question of practical application. Given their size you would choose a CCM microphone where space is a consideration.
Schoeps consider the V4 U as their go-to microphone for vocals. It would also be suitable in the studio on pianos, strings and a variety of acoustic instruments.
The CMIT Series of microphones are for live and broadcast operations. Their high directivity pattern works well on film shoots, folly sets, tennis courts and stadiums.
Studio connections has a long history servicing the professional audio market in Australia and we welcome the Schoeps brand to our catalogue.
CLICK HERE to buy SCHOEPS Microphones in Australia
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