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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: TheMetalist on May 03, 2018, 12:17:20 PM
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At the moment I'm an AKG guy. I mainly record club shows (300-1,500 capacity) but also bigger outdoor shows (10,000-35,000 capacity). I love my CK63 in both these situations. They have a lot of presence and a right in your face kind of sound. I'm only doing stealth jobs and my gear is AKG CK61/63 > Nbob actives > Nbox Platinum ABS > Sony PCM-M10. Music I mostly tape are loud rock and metal shows.
I consider to join the Schoeps club but I'm not sure it's the correct microphones for what I do. As the AKG CK63 (Hypers) are my most used capsules I believe Schoeps MK41 (Supers) would be what I'm looking for? I'm not very found of the CK61 (Cardioids) and I guess MK4 (Cardioids) are comparable to those?
Would you recommend MK41 for what I do? I have listened to some samples on Dime but couldn't find any that made me sing Hallelujah of great joy. I know Shoeps are delicious, just can't decide if they are for me or not. Would really like some of your opinions here. Thanks!
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I record a decent amount of metal as well, 99% of which is stealth (even for bands that give the okay to record, it just doesn't feel like the right environment for a mic stand). FWIW, I don't feel like any of the mics I've used for metal shows are ideal. I really want to try the AT853 subcards though. The AT853 cards can give some good results, and some extra low end with the subcards would likely be great. The point of this digression is just that I don't feel like I have the "silver bullet" mics for metal shows.
Since choice of mics is highly personal, I'm very curious why you want to move to Schoeps. I know they are among the best quality microphones available, and a lot of people love them, but why do you think they'd be better than the CK63s for you? At least for me, I have little to no interest in Schoeps because, for the music I typically record, I am just not a huge fan of their sound. Again, that's just the subjective personal part though. Objectively they are top quality mics. So what is it that you feel is lacking in your CK63s, and what is it you feel Schoeps would bring to the table for you?
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I used AKG for many years and now I use Schoeps MK41. The Schoeps definitely have a darker, more subdued high end response compared to AKG (which have a hyped presence to the treble range). They are very forgiving in not so great sounding rooms.
Maybe consider MBHO hypercardioids? They are much less expensive than Schoeps and Nick makes active collettes for them now so you would be able to use them with your Nbox. New KA500 capsules plus active cables would be around $1000 US so the whole setup would be less than a used pair of MK41 capsules alone.
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I used AKG for many years and now I use Schoeps MK41. The Schoeps definitely have a darker, more subdued high end response compared to AKG (which have a hyped presence to the treble range). They are very forgiving in not so great sounding rooms.
Maybe consider MBHO hypercardioids? They are much less expensive than Schoeps and Nick makes active collettes for them now so you would be able to use them with your Nbox. New KA500 capsules plus active cables would be around $1000 US so the whole setup would be less than a used pair of MK41 capsules alone.
Ditto from a former mbho owner, Cards are very forgiving. Can't go wrong with 41s ever if you can swing the cost. Great up close great at a distance and also very forgiving in bad rooms.
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Speaking of MBHOs, you might want to check in with SxPxDxCx. He records a LOT of metal and I believe MBHOs are his go-to mics. For example: http://taperssection.com/index.php?topic=185468.0
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So what is it that you feel is lacking in your CK63s, and what is it you feel Schoeps would bring to the table for you?
I really like my CK63 capsules but they are bit too crisp in the 4-8K frequencies. I also think they sound a bit more "compressed" over all than Schoeps recordings I have heard. Schoeps seems to be a bit warmer. I also like that Schoeps are available as a matched pair, which AKG is not.
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Maybe consider MBHO hypercardioids? They are much less expensive than Schoeps and Nick makes active collettes for them now so you would be able to use them with your Nbox. New KA500 capsules plus active cables would be around $1000 US so the whole setup would be less than a used pair of MK41 capsules alone.
I need to check out some MBHO samples. Thanks for the advice. :)
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Can't go wrong with 41s ever if you can swing the cost. Great up close great at a distance and also very forgiving in bad rooms.
I have listened to a few rock and metal recordings made with MK41. They sound a bit distant and the midrange is very prominent. Not sure if it's because the venues/recording positions or if it is actually the capsules. Is this something you know are common for MK41? I know I get pretty much presence when using my CK63. Unfortunately it's not easy to find nice MK41 samples with metal music.
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Sent a PM regarding something else O/T but thought I'd share here with everybody since I've owned CK61/CK63's with Naiant Actives _and_ MK41's with nBob actives.
I found the CK61's always a bit murky for my liking. The CK63's had a crispness with what they captured in the best room but weren't forgiving. The MK41's always seemed to cut through the crap the most and capture solid recordings. If money is no object, these are worth looking at, because you'll never be let down by them; only let down by the room you're recording in. I'm sure somebody here has some samples easily available of hard rock/metal shows and MK41s...
The MK41's are also lighter weight than the CK6x's as well.
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Sent a PM regarding something else O/T but thought I'd share here with everybody since I've owned CK61/CK63's with Naiant Actives _and_ MK41's with nBob actives.
I found the CK61's always a bit murky for my liking. The CK63's had a crispness with what they captured in the best room but weren't forgiving. The MK41's always seemed to cut through the crap the most and capture solid recordings. If money is no object, these are worth looking at, because you'll never be let down by them; only let down by the room you're recording in. I'm sure somebody here has some samples easily available of hard rock/metal shows and MK41s...
The MK41's are also lighter weight than the CK6x's as well.
I agree with you regarding CK61 and 63 but the 63's are more forgiving than the 61's.
I would love to hear some nice rock and metal recording done with MK41. I hope someone here can guide me to some nice samples.
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I'd advise using the vertical versions of schoeps capsules, especially when >:D is required.
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I have listened to a few rock and metal recordings made with MK41. They sound a bit distant and the midrange is very prominent. Not sure if it's because the venues/recording positions or if it is actually the capsules. Is this something you know are common for MK41? I know I get pretty much presence when using my CK63. Unfortunately it's not easy to find nice MK41 samples with metal music.
Check out some HO recordings, Goldilocks. There are generally considered by many to be somewhere in the middle in terms of timbre, a more crisp presence than the Schoeps but not as much as the AKG's.
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I'd advise using the vertical versions of schoeps capsules, especially when >:D is required.
Vertical?
Check out some HO recordings, Goldilocks. There are generally considered by many to be somewhere in the middle in terms of timbre, a more crisp presence than the Schoeps but not as much as the AKG's.
Sorry, I'm lost here. Please tell me more.
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Vertical meaning the MK41V. Think of the capsule sitting on its side...
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Check out some HO recordings, Goldilocks. There are generally considered by many to be somewhere in the middle in terms of timbre, a more crisp presence than the Schoeps but not as much as the AKG's.
Sorry, I'm lost here. Please tell me more.
HO = MBHO
"Goldilocks" - the bears porridge is too hot or too cold, or in between is just right. He's saying the MBHO are in between the AKG (too hot) and Schoeps (too cold), and may be "just right" for your taste buds.
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for small clubs you don't want to run hypercards. your best bet for small clubs (or anywhere where you are close to the sound source) is subcards, then cards, then hypercards. you might want to run hypers in an arena situation.
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for small clubs you don't want to run hypercards. your best bet for small clubs (or anywhere where you are close to the sound source) is subcards, then cards, then hypercards. you might want to run hypers in an arena situation.
Everyone has their opinion but I disagree in general with this statement. You stated that you sometimes record in large venues so more narrow patterns would often be useful. I find that better quality narrow pattern mics perform better whether up close or at a distance. I like my subcard mics but they pick up a lot more chatter and room to make them useful for recording anything other than good sounding rooms with respectful audiences.
You might also consider the Gefell line of microphones. They are - like MBHO -on the brighter side of the European mics that are detailed and full. Nick makes active cables for them as well so you could use your Nbox. I would say the M21 hypercards are second only to the MK41.
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Vertical meaning the MK41V. Think of the capsule sitting on its side...
Ok. I get it now. I like that. Great for stealth as said before.
HO = MBHO
"Goldilocks" - the bears porridge is too hot or too cold, or in between is just right. He's saying the MBHO are in between the AKG (too hot) and Schoeps (too cold), and may be "just right" for your taste buds.
Thanks for explaining. I really have to find out more about MBHO. Seems like some here like them a lot.
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for small clubs you don't want to run hypercards. your best bet for small clubs (or anywhere where you are close to the sound source) is subcards, then cards, then hypercards. you might want to run hypers in an arena situation.
I have to disagree with you here. For what I do my hypers are great. I usually go for the stacks and I love the presence and "in your face" kind of sound they achive in clubs. Especially when recording metal bands. They also remove some annoying chatters and clappers around me.
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Well, I ran AKG 480s -> MBHO's -> Schoeps, and I can say without a doubt, the Schoeps are my favorite mics I've EVER owned! The AKGs AND MBHO's were too fatiguing in the highend with their presence peak, and the Schoeps are right where I like my mics to be! I know people say that they're dark, but to me they're very neutral, especially the MK41's! I just think that 90% of the other mics we use are too fatiguing in the highend, and have too much presence, but that's what we're accustomed to running most of the mics out there!
That said, I've NEVER recorded metal. The closest thing to that I did, was some Skerik stuff back in 2011 with my MBHO's, and they came out great, but I was almost onstage for that one. I'd look around and find some samples online before you go spending $2k in mics though. But IMHO, if you can afford the Schoeps, then go for it. My only regret is NOT buying the Schoeps in 1999, when I bought my first "real" setup with my HS graduation $$ to tape Phish, some AKG 481's and a Graham Patten DMIC-20 to go along with my Sony D8 Dat I got back in 1997! If only I'd had the extra $600 at the time and bought the Schoeps from the get go! Oh well, lesson learned and I'm extremely grateful for having [2] Schoeps rigs now ;D 8) ;)
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I'd look around and find some samples online before you go spending $2k in mics though. But IMHO, if you can afford the Schoeps, then go for it.
Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it. Unfortunately it is difficult to find samples within that genre. I have heard a few but they didn't sound very good.
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I'd look around and find some samples online before you go spending $2k in mics though. But IMHO, if you can afford the Schoeps, then go for it.
Thank you for your input. I really appreciate it. Unfortunately it is difficult to find samples within that genre. I have heard a few but they didn't sound very good.
Darktrain has several mk41 shows on Dime http://www.dimeadozen.org/account-details.php?id=139519
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for small clubs you don't want to run hypercards. your best bet for small clubs (or anywhere where you are close to the sound source) is subcards, then cards, then hypercards. you might want to run hypers in an arena situation.
I was going to say the same things. I generally use my MK41's in stadiums, arenas and festivals while I run MK4's in smaller venues or if I am very close in an arena or festival. If you are on Dime I have a few hundred shows up there and everything from the last 26 years are recorded with MK4's or MK41's. There are a few metal shows and lots of rock shows.
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i was going to recommend this
i only have 4v and 41v for this very reason (and also because in general they are better caps with smoother off axis response, and the 4Vs have a nice HF bump that brings out vocals)
Vertical meaning the MK41V. Think of the capsule sitting on its side...
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I was going to say the same things. I generally use my MK41's in stadiums, arenas and festivals while I run MK4's in smaller venues or if I am very close in an arena or festival. If you are on Dime I have a few hundred shows up there and everything from the last 26 years are recorded with MK4's or MK41's. There are a few metal shows and lots of rock shows.
Thanks for your input. As I mentioned I like hypers in clubs. I have tried omni and cards but they both have too much room sound for my liking (and screaming metal fans). I want to hit the stacks, not the room. It's just a matter of taste. This is my taste.
It's much possible that the MK4's has a better room response than my CK61's. I will listen to your recordings later today. Perhaps I will change my mind. :)
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I was going to say the same things. I generally use my MK41's in stadiums, arenas and festivals while I run MK4's in smaller venues or if I am very close in an arena or festival. If you are on Dime I have a few hundred shows up there and everything from the last 26 years are recorded with MK4's or MK41's. There are a few metal shows and lots of rock shows.
Thanks for your input. As I mentioned I like hypers in clubs. I have tried omni and cards but they both have too much room sound for my liking (and screaming metal fans). I want to hit the stacks, not the room. It's just a matter of taste. This is my taste.
It's much possible that the MK4's has a better room response than my CK61's. I will listen to your recordings later today. Perhaps I will change my mind. :)
MK4 over CK61 101 times out of 100. Always found the CK61s in the mud.
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i was going to recommend this
i only have 4v and 41v for this very reason (and also because in general they are better caps with smoother off axis response, and the 4Vs have a nice HF bump that brings out vocals)
Vertical meaning the MK41V. Think of the capsule sitting on its side...
Ditto I have these caps and love them. Dropped on a din bar in a cap a pair of nbobs a baby nbox or IPA into an m10. Not that tough to find the Sony or could substitute an Edirol R07. 1300 or so for a set of capsules, 600 for the actives, 250 for the baby nbox or 120 for an IPA and 200 or so for the deck. Hell of a lo pro rig for a decent price.
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I actually taped Metallica twice a few weeks ago with MK41V's. However, their live sound was really, really, really bad. The mics gladly reproduced it perfectly. ;-)
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i only have 4v and 41v for this very reason (and also because in general they are better caps with smoother off axis response, and the 4Vs have a nice HF bump that brings out vocals)
Ditto I have these caps and love them. Dropped on a din bar in a cap a pair of nbobs a baby nbox or IPA into an m10. Not that tough to find the Sony or could substitute an Edirol R07. 1300 or so for a set of capsules, 600 for the actives, 250 for the baby nbox or 120 for an IPA and 200 or so for the deck. Hell of a lo pro rig for a decent price.
Seems like the V's are very popular here. :)
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I was going to say the same things. I generally use my MK41's in stadiums, arenas and festivals while I run MK4's in smaller venues or if I am very close in an arena or festival. If you are on Dime I have a few hundred shows up there and everything from the last 26 years are recorded with MK4's or MK41's. There are a few metal shows and lots of rock shows.
I've listened to a few of your recordings now. Both MK4's and MK41's. Great recordings indeed.
I still prefer the hypers though. The MK4's are a bit diffuse and capture too much of the room sound for my liking. As I said, only a matter of taste. I love your Tom Petty 2017-05-27 Bottlerock recording made with MK41's. Truly magnificent.
It sure makes me crave for Schoeps. Not sure about MK41 vs MK41v though?
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It sure makes me crave for Schoeps. Not sure about MK41 vs MK41v though?
For stealth, I prefer the V capsules (even though they're a bit bigger than the regular ones). Especially when wearing them in a hat, they can be used with a stereo bar and that'll give you a better stereo image.
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For stealth, I prefer the V capsules (even though they're a bit bigger than the regular ones). Especially when wearing them in a hat, they can be used with a stereo bar and that'll give you a better stereo image.
I will look closer at the V's. I really find them interesting.
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For stealth, I prefer the V capsules (even though they're a bit bigger than the regular ones). Especially when wearing them in a hat, they can be used with a stereo bar and that'll give you a better stereo image.
I will look closer at the V's. I really find them interesting.
What are the technical and practical differences between the regular Schoeps capsules and the ones with the V designation?
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I was going to say the same things. I generally use my MK41's in stadiums, arenas and festivals while I run MK4's in smaller venues or if I am very close in an arena or festival. If you are on Dime I have a few hundred shows up there and everything from the last 26 years are recorded with MK4's or MK41's. There are a few metal shows and lots of rock shows.
I've listened to a few of your recordings now. Both MK4's and MK41's. Great recordings indeed.
I still prefer the hypers though. The MK4's are a bit diffuse and capture too much of the room sound for my liking. As I said, only a matter of taste. I love your Tom Petty 2017-05-27 Bottlerock recording made with MK41's. Truly magnificent.
It sure makes me crave for Schoeps. Not sure about MK41 vs MK41v though?
Schedule permitting I am going to catch the Uli Jon Roth show at a local club of 500. https://www.cornerstoneberkeley.com/music-venue/cornerstone-events/ If I do I can try and run both the MK4's and MK41's >:D using the NBox PLatinum and the Rbox which are very similar. That should provide a nice comp in a >:D situation.
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for small clubs you don't want to run hypercards. your best bet for small clubs (or anywhere where you are close to the sound source) is subcards, then cards, then hypercards. you might want to run hypers in an arena situation.
I have to disagree with you here. For what I do my hypers are great. I usually go for the stacks and I love the presence and "in your face" kind of sound they achive in clubs. Especially when recording metal bands. They also remove some annoying chatters and clappers around me.
I find at rock clubs where SPL's are easily above 100db that the human voice is no match for what is coming out of the speakers. Unless the loud person is directly in front of me and turning around to talk directly into the mics I dont usually have problems with talkers. At a show where the human voice can easily match or exceed the sounds coming off the stage this crowd noise is a much bigger problem.
If you are going to record off the stacks I'd think you would want to be close enough so that there is no reflection sound or other room noise that could be louder than what is coming out of the speakers. I always think of this method of recording like mic-ing a guitar amp.
I understand the OP likes the sound of hypers and there is no arguing about preferences - people like what they like but for me when I'm grabbing mics to do 007 I almost always grab the cards (Schoeps MK5's) over the hyper/super (MK41's) unless I'm very far away from the stage or in a very narrow room simply because the hypers are far more susceptible to phasing issues. I can hear the stereo image moving on playback when the recordist moves their mics even a small amount. This problem exists whether cards or hypers are used but I've found it much more noticeable with a pair of hypers.
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for small clubs you don't want to run hypercards. your best bet for small clubs (or anywhere where you are close to the sound source) is subcards, then cards, then hypercards. you might want to run hypers in an arena situation.
I have to disagree with you here. For what I do my hypers are great. I usually go for the stacks and I love the presence and "in your face" kind of sound they achive in clubs. Especially when recording metal bands. They also remove some annoying chatters and clappers around me.
I find at rock clubs where SPL's are easily above 100db that the human voice is no match for what is coming out of the speakers. Unless the loud person is directly in front of me and turning around to talk directly into the mics I dont usually have problems with talkers. At a show where the human voice can easily match or exceed the sounds coming off the stage this crowd noise is a much bigger problem.
If you are going to record off the stacks I'd think you would want to be close enough so that there is no reflection sound or other room noise that could be louder than what is coming out of the speakers. I always think of this method of recording like mic-ing a guitar amp.
I understand the OP likes the sound of hypers and there is no arguing about preferences - people like what they like but for me when I'm grabbing mics to do 007 I almost always grab the cards (Schoeps MK5's) over the hyper/super (MK41's) unless I'm very far away from the stage or in a very narrow room simply because the hypers are far more susceptible to phasing issues. I can hear the stereo image moving on playback when the recordist moves their mics even a small amount. This problem exists whether cards or hypers are used but I've found it much more noticeable with a pair of hypers.
Complete agreement. I also really make an effort not to move when wearing the mics regardless of type of venue. I am also partial to being dead center rather than doing a stack tape.
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Also believe that 41 or 41v are more susceptible to phasing than my 4v.
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I find at rock clubs where SPL's are easily above 100db that the human voice is no match for what is coming out of the speakers. Unless the loud person is directly in front of me and turning around to talk directly into the mics I dont usually have problems with talkers. At a show where the human voice can easily match or exceed the sounds coming off the stage this crowd noise is a much bigger problem.
If you are going to record off the stacks I'd think you would want to be close enough so that there is no reflection sound or other room noise that could be louder than what is coming out of the speakers. I always think of this method of recording like mic-ing a guitar amp.
In Sweden we have a 100dB limit at shows. Bands are not allowed to play very loud here. And metal fans? They are screaming more than talking. And singing and whistling and clapping. Lots of noise around me. I'm usually close to the stacks which mostly mean I'm in the pit with all screaming maniacs.
I understand the OP likes the sound of hypers and there is no arguing about preferences - people like what they like but for me when I'm grabbing mics to do 007 I almost always grab the cards (Schoeps MK5's) over the hyper/super (MK41's) unless I'm very far away from the stage or in a very narrow room simply because the hypers are far more susceptible to phasing issues. I can hear the stereo image moving on playback when the recordist moves their mics even a small amount. This problem exists whether cards or hypers are used but I've found it much more noticeable with a pair of hypers.
I'm pretty used to be a human stand. Luckily I don't get much phasing. Perhaps my CK63's are forgiving.
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Schedule permitting I am going to catch the Uli Jon Roth show at a local club of 500. https://www.cornerstoneberkeley.com/music-venue/cornerstone-events/ If I do I can try and run both the MK4's and MK41's >:D using the NBox PLatinum and the Rbox which are very similar. That should provide a nice comp in a >:D situation.
That would be really cool. I really appreciate that! Thank you. And... Uli rocks! 8)
Complete agreement. I also really make an effort not to move when wearing the mics regardless of type of venue. I am also partial to being dead center rather than doing a stack tape.
At smaller venues I try to be dead center with mics in stereo configuration pointing to stacks. At larger venues and outdoors I record one stack only.