Mic Archive
Schoeps CCM 21
Photo: Schoeps, from its user guide, p. 12.

Schoeps

Schoeps CCM 21

Compact small-diaphragm wide-cardioid condenser mic (CCM series): the MK 21 capsule and amplifier in one short body

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Wide cardioid
Sensitivity
−37.7 dBV/Pa computed
Self-noise
14 dB(A)
Max SPL
132 dB SPL
Impedance
90 Ω
Rated range
30 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the user guide, p. 12. Free field, distance and smoothing not stated; the sheet draws a tolerance band (dashed) around the curve.

Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.

Polar pattern

Polar pattern: from the catalog, p. 5. The Colette brochure's MK 21 diagram, which schoeps.de shows as the polar diagram of "MK 21 + CMC 6 and CCM 21". Rings every 5 dB, labelled 0 to -30 dB (the centre); 0° at the top. Left half 250 Hz to 2 kHz, right half 4 to 32 kHz; the pattern is taken as symmetric. Measuring conditions not stated.

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All specs

From the user guide
Sensitivity−37.7 dBV/Pa (13 mV/Pa). Not stated by the manufacturer: From 13 mV/Pa: 20·log10(0.013).p. 19
Self-noise14 dB(A)
Self-noise (CCIR 468)24 dB, CCIR
Max SPL132 dB SPL, 0.5% THD; also 136 dB SPL, P48, THD < 0.5%, schoeps.de product page (2026); also 128 dB SPL, P12, THD < 0.5%, schoeps.de product page (2026)
Signal-to-noise ratio80 dB, re 94 dB SPL, A-weighted
Output impedance90 ohm, source impedance. The product page: "90 Ω @ 1 kHz".p. 6
Rated load impedance600 ohm, minimum recommended; also 2000 ohm, schoeps.de product page (2026)
Rated frequency range30 Hz to 20 kHz. The product page says "see corresponding capsule".p. 19
Poweringphantom, 12 V or 48 V (automatic switchover). The product page: "P48 / > 40 V, P12 / > 10 V".p. 6
Current draw4 mA, P48; also 8 mA, P12; also 3.6 mA, P12, schoeps.de product page (2026)
ConnectorLemo 3-pin (CCM 21 L, with a K 5 LU cable to XLR-3M) or a fixed 5 m cable to XLR-3M (CCM 21 U). The product page calls the fixed-cable version "CCM 21 K".p. 3
Weight43 g, L version, without cable; also 33 g, U version, without cable; also 45 g, CCM-L, schoeps.de product page (2026). Given for the CCM range.p. 6
Finishmatte grey (g) or nickel (ni). The product page lists matte gray.
Supplied accessoriesSGC miniature swivel stand coupler; polished wood carrying case; K 5 LU adapter cable, Lemo to XLR-3M, 5 m (L version)p. 3
Low-cut filterBuilt in: 20 Hz (-3 dB), 12 dB/oct
Maximum output voltageAbout 1 Vp. 6
PolarityRising pressure on the 0° axis gives a positive-going voltage on pin 2
Output stageBalanced class-A, no coupling capacitors or output transformerp. 3
Cable lengthUsable with very long cables (over 100 m)
VariantCCM 21H: wide cardioid with a high-frequency lift (10 mV/Pa, 16 dB-A, 134 dB), "often preferred for use when recording vocals, acoustic guitar or percussion"; shares the polar diagramp. 12
UseSpot mic, or the main pair for overall stereo; M/S and near-coincident arrays (too little level difference for X/Y); rooms where omnis give too much bass
From the product page
CapsuleSmall-diaphragm, wide cardioid; the Colette MK 21 capsule. "The capsule part is identical to the MK capsules from the beginning"; the modular equivalent is "CMC 1 L + MK 21".
Dimensions46 × 20 mm. Length × diameter ("46 mm (CCM-L)", "20 mm"). The guide gives "46 mm – 58 mm, type-dependent" for the CCM range and 20 mm diameter (p. 6).
Common mode rejection> 55 dB (at 1 kHz)
CharacterBetween omni and cardioid: fuller bass and less proximity effect than a cardioid, directivity only slightly dependent on frequency; a "warm" sound
History1994: CCM launched; 2016: better RF filter; 2017: polarisation voltage generator moved above 200 kHz
Order number121003 (CCM 21 L), 121004 (CCM 21 K)

Documents

Copies kept by Mic Archive, because manufacturers move and drop their documents. Each is © Schoeps, unchanged, with its original address.

Product page on schoeps.de

Recommended for

Instruments whose sources name this mic, or an earlier version or variant of it.

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