Topic: proper capsule orientation

[microburst]

I've never been able to find any authoritative literature, through say schoeps, on the subject matter as it relates to capsule orientation and the sound source so I pose the potentially naïve question here.

What is the proper orientation of a schoeps capsule to the sound source; meaning for a typical directional capsules, where should the polar pattern diagram (on the capsule itself) be orientated (top/bottom, left/right)?  Obviously in regard to an mk8 the red dot goes to the left.

[George2]

Which side of the equator are you recording on?
Regardless of that, all polar diagrams on the mics should face due east.

[capnhook]

What elevation are you at?  Accuracy is only assured above sea level. 

[rigpimp]

What elevation are you at?  Accuracy is only assured above sea level. 

Don't forget about relative humidity Kev.

[capnhook]

 

[JasonR]

As you can tell from the funny responses, it doesn't matter.  It's a bit like asking which way is 'up' in space.  If it makes you feel better, I consistently ran my mics with the pattern indicator facing the ceiling for years before wondering why I was bothering.

That said, the vertical address capsules are actually kind of interesting.  Sure, with an MK8 running Mid-Side, the red dot should point to the left, but the capsule itself can still be rotated 360 degrees while maintaining the red dot to the left.  ie: connected to a body, the XLR connector could exit down to the floor so the capsule is vertical, or straight back at the rear of the room, etc.  A lot of us have used the MK4V and MK41V caps with success on their sides despite the fact that they probably perform best, or at least as-intended, upright.  The MK8 is particularly interesting in that regard as Schoeps shows suggested uses in both an upright and horizontal position (with the top plate pointing at the sound source).  But that's a whole other ball of wax...

[DigiGal]

Not sure if it helps but this image demonstrates the docking orientation procedure of the apollo capsule command module to the lunar module.   

[Gutbucket]

..and that capsule assembly mates to a vertically oriented velocity-ampifier body, the Saturn-V, forming a very high SPL system. There is no active-cable version that I'm aware of for low-profile use but it would be difficult to stealth anyway due to the throng of long-retired engineers and technicians required to follow you around and keep it operational.

[DSatz]

microburst, my apologies: I've been the co-author and translator for most of Schoeps' official literature for the past 35 years or so, and sadly I have to agree; I don't think we've ever made any statement about what you're asking about.

You basically have it right, though. There are two basic capsule configurations, as shown for example on the attached page from the manual that we (finally, after many years) wrote for the Colette series capsules and amplifiers. The type of capsule shown near the top of the page is the more common style that "aims forward," while the type shown near the bottom of the page "aims sideways."

The first type has a radially symmetrical construction both internally and externally. The polar response is likewise radially symmetrical as a direct result. Thus if you draw an imaginary line from the center of the front of the capsule to the center of its back--where the circular contacts, the threads for attaching the capsule to an amplifier, and the serial number are--it makes no difference how the capsule is rotated around that axis. You've probably noticed the polar pattern symbol engraved on such capsules doesn't usually line up exactly with the Schoeps logo on the amplifier. From a purely visual standpoint it would be nicer if it did, but the point is that sonically, it makes no difference whatsoever.

The same is obviously not true for the MK 4 V shown at the bottom of the page, nor for the MK 41 V, MK 6 or MK 8 all of which have a similar basic construction, because their 0-degree axis is at a right angle to the center line of the capsule as a whole. The issue of symmetry is somewhat harder to describe in these capsules, and it's late and I'm tired--but I did want to mention that for the MK 8, the red dot "goes to the left" only in M/S recording, since that's the only situation in which you normally want the null of the figure-8 pattern to point toward the center of the direct sound sources.

--best regards

[it-goes-to-eleven]

Have polar response plots ever been published that compare the veritical response vs. the horizontal?

When I first saw the V series run horizontally on a bar, such that they extend behind the bar, I thought the bar and colette must be shadowing line of sight to the peformance.

[microburst]

LOL, I always thought it mattered and run with the pattern on the top.     I won't be concerned with that anymore.  I did notice that different capsules thread on differently and with different sets of bodies in my gearbag which messes with the right angle XLR's that Ted made me.