Specifications

17
Pressure Transducers
Microphone Capsule MK 3
– omnidirectional pattern
– diffuse-field capsule, for miking distances at which
the predominant sound is no longer direct
– useful for relatively distant placement in reverberant
environments – as a room microphone, for “spaced
microphone” stereo pickup and in “Decca Tree”
arrangements
The MK 3 is designed for placement in a diffuse sound
field, i.e. at distances in reverberant environments
where the greater portion of arriving sound has
already been reflected from various room surfaces. In
such placement the integrated frequency response of
this capsule is essentially flat; the on-axis high-fre-
quency response elevation shown in the graph below
is not heard as such. It is remarkable how well-focused
a recording can be made with omnidirectional micro-
phones at such distances, when the microphones have
been designed and placed appropriately.
If this type of microphone is used close to the sound
source, the emphasis of high frequencies for on-axis
sound incidence would become clearly audible, pro-
ducing an overly brilliant sonic impression. Since most
recording today is miked more closely than in decades
past, capsules such as the MK 2S or MK 2H are a rea-
sonable norm for the majority of spaced-omni and
“Decca Tree” applications. But if miking distances
more typical of the mono and early stereo era are to be
used, a capsule such as the MK 3, with its full diffuse-
field equalization, may well offer the optimal balance
of focus, depth and spaciousness – and the KA 40
accessory spheres (see page 114) can then add a further
measure of presence to the sound at such distances, if
desired.
The MK 3 is also often used as an ambient room
micro phone.
Length: 22 mm
Diameter: 20 mm
Weight: 17 g
Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
Sensitivity: 10 mV/Pa
Equivalent noise level:
A-weighted*: 14 dB-A
CCIR**: 26 dB
Signal-to-noise ratio
(A-weighted*): 80 dB-A
Maximum SPL: 134 dB (0.5% THD)
Frequency response curve MK 3 + CMC 6
Polar diagram
from outer
to inner:
up to 1 kHz 4 kHz
2 kHz 8 kHz
16 kHz
20 50 100 200 500 1k 2k 5k 10k 20kHz
+10
0dB
-10
-20
*IEC 61672-1, **IEC 60268-1
A frequency response graph for this capsule with the
CMC 6 xt or CMD 2 xt amplifiers is shown on page 135.
COLETTE
modular
omni