Never have had the problem with the Schoeps MK4/41
I'm more inclined to think it's mic self noise.
[...]
I get noise from footsteps and random audience emissions but not hiss with the Schoeps into either recorder.
When comparing the specs, AKG actually has slightly less self noise (higher signal to noise ratio) than Schoeps.
Schoeps MK 4: 79 dB-A
Schoeps MK 41: 79 dB-A
AKG CK61: 81 dB-A
AKG CK63: 83 dB-A
Well I'm slightly skeptical there's a real difference... I think there are different ways of conducting the tests that might be employed, but AKG's are fine mics and should be as quiet as anything comparable. Omnis will be a little quieter than cards though come with different considerations for what we do, especially in a 007 setting.
The SP's say 70 dB and there's clearly a difference compared to the Schoeps, though the SP's are "micro" sized and the diameter of the element is directly related to what is possible to obtain with the noise floor. The Schoeps are certainly of another level of quality but also larger (though still small, not LD's).
I think 80-ish is sort of the best it will get with small condensers. I'm not sure I've seen any of what we use claim to be better than that.
The pre may also have some impact. I've never had an nbox though gather it is designed for louder applications. There may be a slight difference between my tinybox and the modded R-44. The R-44 mod claims to make it quieter than the stock preamp in it.
It is hard to isolate pieces of the chain without having (or borrowing) lots of gear! And then there's still the issue of duplicating conditions and the material to be recorded...
Here's a very quiet song MK4V > Tinybox > M10 line-in : https://we.tl/WJ3pni4u0M
Thank you for the sample. Nice recording!
I did as I usually do with my own recordings, amplified it to peak at 0. With your sample I had to add 7,4 dB to reach 0 and then the hiss was a bit more present.
Since this was in the context of a show that got louder I amplified that song more than the rest but not all the way to 0 since it would have been out of context with the rest of the material. There may seem to be a little more relative noise at a higher amplification level but I don't think it would be dramatic or overpowering. I'm not sure how much is in the signal chain vs. white noise in the environment that becomes evident in a relative sense. It may be some of both.
The noise is always there in the same proportion to signal but amplifying it a lot can seem to make it more prominent.
I also usually use headphones. It is indeed more prominent in headphones.
When using the Tinybox the levels line-in may usually be at number 4 on the dial (even on something pretty quiet). I may have had it up to 5 or 6 for this song only since it was quieter than the rest of the show.
It's the same for me. I usually have the M10 at 3 or 4 at rock shows (there's a 100 dB limit at concerts in Sweden so they are really not THAT loud). It's after 5-6 and up the hiss starts to annoy me.
I like that 100 dB limit idea (and had been told about that before), though it might not work as well with the level of rudeness/yapping a non-musical/non-listening crowd is capable of.
After reading your responses I'm actually starting to believe it's just me over reacting. I mostly use headphones and then I hear it clearly. It's no way near the music level of course but I still dislike it. Reminds me too much of cassette tapes back in the days. Perhaps I should just try to ignore it and accept it for what it is?
Thank you for your advices!