Mic Archive
Schoeps CMIT 5
Photo: Schoeps, from its catalog, p. 2.

Schoeps

Schoeps CMIT 5

Short shotgun (interference-tube) condenser microphone with three switchable filters

Type
Condenser
Pattern
Supercardioid / lobar
Sensitivity
−35.4 dBV/Pa computed
Self-noise
14 dB(A)
Max SPL
132 dB SPL
Impedance
50 Ω
Rated range
40 – 20k Hz

Frequency response

Angle
Distance

Frequency response: from the user guide, p. 25. Capsule and amplifier as one unit, no filters. Measuring distance not stated (free field assumed); smoothing not stated. "Frequency response curve without filters at 0°, 30°, 60°, 90° angle of incidence".

Independent measurement: also drawn, from the Multi-Angle, Multi-Distance Microphone Impulse Response Dataset (Juan Carlos Franco Hernández, Bogdan Bacila, Tim Brookes, Enzo De Sena, University of Surrey) (CC BY 4.0): one unit, measured at 1.25 m and set to 0 dB at 1 kHz, from 136 Hz up. Not the manufacturer's 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. 2. Captioned "MiniCMIT, CMIT 5, SuperCMIT (ch2)". 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 16 kHz; the pattern is taken as symmetric. Measuring conditions not stated.

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All specs

From the user guide
CapsuleSmall-diaphragm pressure-gradient capsule behind an interference tube; capsule and amplifier built as one unit. The product page: "The capsule and amplifier of the CMIT 5 are built as a single unit, unlike microphones of the SCHOEPS Colette series." The flyer: the MiniCMIT, CMIT 5 and SuperCMIT use the same interference tube/capsule (p. 2).p. 15
Sensitivity−35.4 dBV/Pa (17 mV/Pa); also −35 dBV/Pa, schoeps.de product page (2026), stated. Not stated by the manufacturer: From 17 mV/Pa: 20·log10(0.017). The product page states "-35 dB (V/Pa), 17 mV/Pa".p. 25
Self-noise14 dB(A), filters off, IEC 61672-1. "14 dB-A*, 24 dB CCIR** (filters off)"; the flyer and the product page agree.
Self-noise (CCIR 468)24 dB, CCIR, filters off, IEC 60268-1
Max SPL132 dB SPL, 0.5% THD. The flyer: "132 dB (P48)" at 1 kHz, THD < 0.5% (p. 4).
Output impedance50 ohm
Rated load impedance600 ohm, or greater; also 1000 ohm, minimum, schoeps.de product page (2026). "Recommended load impedance: 600 Ohms or greater"; the product page gives 1 kΩ.
Rated frequency range40 Hz to 20 kHz; also [40, 22000], schoeps.de product page (2026)
Poweringphantom, 48 V ± 4 V. The flyer and product page: "P48 / >34 V".
Current draw4.4 mA
Low cutoff, 80 Hz; 80 Hz; 18 dB/octave; high-pass. "The steep low-cut filter below 80 Hz (18 dB/oct.) suppresses wind and boom noise." Pushbuttons with green (off) and red (on) LEDs; settings kept when switched off (p. 19).p. 18
Switchesproximity filter: off, on; high shelf: off, on. Proximity filter: "below 300 Hz (6 dB/oct.) is a gentle roll-off that compensates for proximity effects"; high shelf: "+5 dB at 10 kHz".
Weight89 g; also 95, CMIT series flyer (2016) and schoeps.de product page (2026). "Only 89 g (3-1/8 ounces)"; the 2016 flyer and the product page give 95 g.p. 25
Dimensions251 × 21 mm. Length × diameter.
Fixed low cutEven with both low filters off, a 6 dB/oct. filter below 40 Hz is activep. 18
Maximum output voltage1.3 V (at 1 kHz, 1 kOhm)p. 25
PolarityA diaphragm excursion towards the back electrode (positive pressure) gives a positive signal at pin 2
Included accessoriesW 140 foam windscreen, SG 20 stand clamp, polished wood casep. 15
UseReporting, interviews and dialogue for film and TV; also a spot mic for music (e.g. opera)p. 17
M/SGood M/S results with a CCM 8 or MK 8 figure-8 clipped on, diaphragms one above the other (the CMIT diaphragm is at the base of the tube); X/Y with shotguns not recommendedp. 18
From the product page
Signal-to-noise ratio80 dB, A-weighted. "Signal-to-noise ratio (A-weighted) 80 dB"; not in the user guide (94 - 14 dB-A).
ConnectorXLR-3M. "XLR-3M, analog, 1 channel".
Common mode rejection ratio> 65 dB (at 1 kHz)
FinishAnodised (2013 guide); now blue lacquer as standard, anthracite grey or Chromagreen to order
Product history2005 first version (A0); 2008 A1; 2012 B0 lacquer finish, wider phantom range; 2013 B1; 2014 C0 RF filter revised, switch-on noise removed; 2021 D0 humidity resistant, foil capacitors replaced
From the catalog
Maximum cable length> 400 mp. 4
RFI protectionSCHOEPS RFI Shield
InterchangeabilityMiniCMIT, CMIT 5 and SuperCMIT (channel 2) have identical frequency responses; MiniCMIT and CMIT 5 can be swapped without a change in soundp. 2

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

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