Schoeps CMBI and the Lumix GH5

Just for fun I decided to try using the audio from my Lumix GH5 instead of recording separate audio and syncing in post production. I pulled out my pair of vintage Schoeps CMBI battery powered mic amps for the job and I was pretty pleased with the result.


You can see the resulting video here:    • "Waialua Slack Key"   The tune is my original composition, "Waialua Slack Key" and the video was shot in my home studio.


The Schoeps CMBI system was developed in the 90s to connect Schoeps Colette system capsules to DAT recorders and similar systems. These recorders didn't offer balanced XLR inputs and phantom power so Schoeps came up with a system that could be connected through a stereo mini-plug or other unbalanced connections. They used a 5 pin DIN connector for the mic bodies and cabling and came up with a simple effective system that could be used for stereo or mono capture. As digital recorders advanced and balanced XLR inputs became more common the CMBI system was discontinued.


Even though these mics are out of production, Schoeps still provides documentation: https://schoeps.de/fileadmin/user_upl... Here you can find operating instructions, battery specs, and wiring diagrams.


The original Schoeps cabling systems are also out of production but custom cable makers can repair or build cables for the CMBI system. I had my cables repaired by Vark Audio: varkaudio.com These fine folks also created a pair of custom cables connecting the DIN 5 pin connector to XLR plugs. This allows me to connect the CMBI mic amps to recorders with XLR in, but if you go this route remember that phantom power should not be used with the CMBI bodies.