Shure CVO — Cardioid Hanging Condenser Microphone (Overhead)

The Shure CVO is an overhead hanging cardioid condenser microphone designed for installed sound applications — the ceiling-mounted mic used to capture choirs, congregations, stage performances, and group dialogue from above, completely out of the audience's sightline.

Why hanging condensers: A choir or stage group can't realistically be miked with individual handheld microphones. A hanging overhead mic captures the entire group's sound from above, blending the voices naturally and remaining nearly invisible to the audience. Used in churches, theaters, schools, and broadcast facilities worldwide.

Specifications:

• Polar pattern: Cardioid (captures sound below the mic, rejects ceiling noise)
• Element: Condenser (back-electret)
• Phantom power: 12-52V DC required
• Frequency response: tailored for vocals and ensemble sound
• Includes inline preamp with cable for permanent installation
• Compact form factor designed to be visually unobtrusive when hung
• Available colors: Black or White (matches ceiling)

Installation: The CVO mounts via included hardware to ceiling rigging, with the included cable running back to a phantom-powered preamp/mixer input. For most installs, multiple CVOs are deployed in a coordinated array — typically 2-4 mics depending on stage/choir width.

Ideal for: Houses of worship recording choir/congregation, theaters capturing stage productions, schools with auditoriums, broadcast facilities, and AV integrators specifying overhead capture systems where visual cleanliness matters.