Topic: Schoeps small rig

[ballerusk]

This topic is somewhat of a research for the future as Schoeps is currently out of my economic league, but nevertheless it doesn't hurt to get some information.

I'm seeking your help to find out what is the smallest portable Schoeps rig possible. I've read through some of Schoeps.de and searched TS and most of the results are topics about torrents, but not so many pictures or information I find useful. Perhaps it's there and I don't see it due to my limited knowledge on the topic so far.

From what I've gathered this is the smallest rig:

Schoeps MK4 > actives > Nbox+ > (recorder)

Now I'm not sure about the 3 first in that line. The MK4 is just the capsules (4 is cardioid, 41 is supercardioid) so I will need a "body", which is CMC6? These capsules have to be attached to the bodies and then there has to be a cable/cables ("actives"?) that goes to the preamp, which I've noticed many people use Nbox+ made by "schoepsnbox" on this forum. And finally a cable to get the signal from the preamp to the recorder. So I end up with this "shopping" list:

2x CMC6
2x MK4 capsules (or 41 if I want to go supercardioid)
actives
Nbox+ (preamp)
<-cable->
recorder

As you can see from my signature, my current rig is a small and I would say, fairly good rig, but when the time comes to move a step up I want to do some research beforehand.

If anyone has a picture of their Schoeps rig in "running" mode they can post here or send to me in a PM I would be very grateful. As a matter of fact, any information that is relevant is great

[manitouman]

This topic is somewhat of a research for the future as Schoeps is currently out of my economic league, but nevertheless it doesn't hurt to get some information.

I'm seeking your help to find out what is the smallest portable Schoeps rig possible. I've read through some of Schoeps.de and searched TS and most of the results are topics about torrents, but not so many pictures or information I find useful. Perhaps it's there and I don't see it due to my limited knowledge on the topic so far.

From what I've gathered this is the smallest rig:

Schoeps MK4 > actives > Nbox+ > (recorder)

Now I'm not sure about the 3 first in that line. The MK4 is just the capsules (4 is cardioid, 41 is supercardioid) so I will need a "body", which is CMC6? These capsules have to be attached to the bodies and then there has to be a cable/cables ("actives"?) that goes to the preamp, which I've noticed many people use Nbox+ made by "schoepsnbox" on this forum. And finally a cable to get the signal from the preamp to the recorder. So I end up with this "shopping" list:

2x CMC6
2x MK4 capsules (or 41 if I want to go supercardioid)
actives
Nbox+ (preamp)
<-cable->
recorder

As you can see from my signature, my current rig is a small and I would say, fairly good rig, but when the time comes to move a step up I want to do some research beforehand.

If anyone has a picture of their Schoeps rig in "running" mode they can post here or send to me in a PM I would be very grateful. As a matter of fact, any information that is relevant is great

Fixed that for you. The Nbox and special cable take the place of the two microphone bodies.

[ballerusk]

Ah sweet, I learn something new every day. Thanks

[J.Maye]

Mk4>CKY cable>Sax>recorder is pretty small too. The n-box is smaller, but using a sax or nbox are the only ways to run the schoeps without bodies AFAIK. 

[habit]

Mk4>CKY cable>Sax>recorder is pretty small too. The n-box is smaller, but using a sax or nbox are the only ways to run the schoeps without bodies AFAIK. 

VMS boxes as well. VMS02IB is pretty small.

[larrysellers]

cmr cables and a power source. I can't imagine anything being smaller.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,100090.msg1544717.html#msg1544717

[Brian Skalinder]

Mk4>CKY cable>Sax>recorder is pretty small too.

Just a clarification:  the Sax is actually the Sonosax SX-M2/LS2, sometimes called a "Lemosax", a factory-modified version of the standard SX-M2 preamp.  The Schoeps KCY cable can be ordered in whatever length you wish.

[Matt Quinn]

cmr cables and a power source. I can't imagine anything being smaller.

http://taperssection.com/index.php/topic,100090.msg1544717.html#msg1544717

CMR & N-Box solutions are pretty comparable in size. The one thing about the CMR's is you need gain, as there is no preamp. Someone was using a mod'd D50's internal pre with good results. But you need both a battery box & a preamp of some sort, where as the N-box has all this in one.Also the CMR's require 2 cables (I think), where as the Nbox has a Y cable - not a huge deal, but every extra bit you don't have to haul when running low-pro helps.

[ballerusk]

Yes, portable and as light-weight as possible is important for me. Only taping (loud) rock music, don't know if that plays an important part in the big puzzle.

[SClassical]

Or even smaller will be removing the battery box and replacing it with PFA-M:

http://www.naiant.com/pfaspecification.html

http://www.naiant.com/studiostore/cleverdevices.html

Even more smaller you can just get CCM4 (if you plan to use only MK4)

[Brian Skalinder]

Or even smaller will be removing the battery box and replacing it with PFA-M:

http://www.naiant.com/pfaspecification.html

So the PFA will power Schoeps caps directly?  I don't think this will work, though someone with more technical expertise will have to chime in as to why.

And good point about CCMx caps.  If the OP doesn't need/want modular caps, the CCMx caps will work nicely and can be used with any "standard" preamp offering 48V phantom power -- no need for custom preamp solutions like the SX-M2/LS2, NBox, etc.

[nedstruzz]

I ended up going with the CCM4's because I wanted the ability to run low profile with the Sonosax and then in open taping situations running with my Neve Portico.  So far I've been very happy.

[Craig T]

And good point about CCMx caps.  If the OP doesn't need/want modular caps, the CCMx caps will work nicely and can be used with any "standard" preamp offering 48V phantom power -- no need for custom preamp solutions like the SX-M2/LS2, NBox, etc.

true, but then you still need an external pre or a full-featured recorder with a good pre with phantom power built in.  this trends away from the small size.  OP said he wanted the "smallest portable Schoeps rig possible".

my vote is with something like mk41v>nbox+>(insert mini recorder here, i.e. r09hr, dr07, mr1, ls10...).

[ballerusk]

The CCM4Ug seems a tad bigger than the MK4 and it would be nice to be able to shift between cardioid and hypers when it comes to indoors vs outdoor arena. But then again I'm not completely on top of everything here so maybe the other option means I don't need some other thing to carry around with me. :-P

The MK41v ( http://www.schoeps.de/E-2004/supercardioids.html#mk41v ) also seems bigger, but is perhaps better suited for loud music?

[nedstruzz]

If you are simply looking for smallest rig possible then I agree this is your best bet. 

MK4/MK41's>KC5>Nbox>R-09HR.