Schoeps Desert Island Stereo Set

These pocket‑sized microphone pairs provide an easily understood entry point to Schoeps’ comprehensive catalogue.

Of all the great German microphone manufacturers, Schoeps seem to maintain the lowest profile. Most people who are serious about recording classical music will have extensive experience with Schoeps mics, but in the rock and pop world, they can fly a little under the radar. That’s partly because, unlike Sennheiser, Neumann or beyerdynamic, Schoeps are not generalists. They do not make dynamic mics, or large‑diaphragm models, and they don’t offer a range to suit every budget. Their entire product line is based around small‑diaphragm capsules, of uncompromising quality. Historically, moreover, there has been no obvious Schoeps counterpart to the U67 or MD441: no iconic, instantly identifiable object that is ever‑present in studio photos or documentaries about classic albums. Apart from the vocal‑oriented V4U, Schoeps mics are deliberately made to be self‑effacing and visually unobtrusive.

Click & Colette

At the heart of the Schoeps range is a series of no fewer than 20 different capsules. All 20 are available separately as options for the modular Colette system, in which they can be paired with one of a number of bodies such as the CMC 1U and CMC 6, as well as accessories such as pads and low‑cut filters. Almost all of the MK‑series capsules are also available as complete miniature mics, courtesy of the CCM range. So, for example, the CCM 2H miniature mic is functionally and sonically the same as the pairing of the CMC 1L body and MK2 capsule from the Colette range. You’d choose the former if you value convenience and compactness, the latter if you want the freedom to mix and match different preamps and capsules.

The Colette range is by far the most comprehensive modular mic system on the market, which is perhaps a double‑edged sword. On the one hand, there’s no recording task imaginable that can’t be handled by at least one of the 150‑plus combinations of body and capsule on offer. On the other, if you’re taking your first steps into Schoeps’ world, the immense wealth of options can be intimidating. I suspect that’s one of the major reasons behind the introduction of the Desert Island Stereo Set.

Small Is...