Topic: Mic Capsules

[John Willett]

So, what exactly does MBHO mean?

MBHO is a German manufacturer of very high quality mics.  Close to Schoeps in quality, but much cheaper (they also make OEM capsules for such top mic. manufacturers as Brauner and Soundfield).

Their website is HERE and there are some specs also here.

I hope this helps.

[Karma]

HI All,
John, thanks for the links. I'm starting to understand the context of the world of capsules. I saw MBHO mentioned in posts with respect to accessories very often. It's no wonder that I thought MBHO was an obscure acronym since "MBHO" was never defined. MBHO offers no accessories for mounting or anything else. So, they are depending on the user to solve that problem with duct tape or whatever kludge folks might come up with. It is now obvious to me why people were excited to have new mounting accessories for MBHO mics from third parties. Without doing a comprehensive research, the world of MBHO accessories seems like a relative desert.

Schoeps, OTH, is a one stop shop for anything a person might need to implement their mics. I'm very impressed with the range of accessories they offer. I think they must be a very smart company. And this is not to mention the quality of their products that so many seem to admire. Personally, I can't confirm this but the pictures certainly look good and their reputation seems solid.

Too bad Schoeps mics cost a fortune but they are probably worth it. The best always is. Cosmic Law #2: You Get What You Pay For.

Sparky

[John Willett]

HI All,
John, thanks for the links. I'm starting to understand the context of the world of capsules. I saw MBHO mentioned in posts with respect to accessories very often. It's no wonder that I thought MBHO was an obscure acronym since "MBHO" was never defined. MBHO offers no accessories for mounting or anything else. So, they are depending on the user to solve that problem with duct tape or whatever kludge folks might come up with. It is now obvious to me why people were excited to have new mounting accessories for MBHO mics from third parties. Without doing a comprehensive research, the world of MBHO accessories seems like a relative desert.

Schoeps, OTH, is a one stop shop for anything a person might need to implement their mics. I'm very impressed with the range of accessories they offer. I think they must be a very smart company. And this is not to mention the quality of their products that so many seem to admire. Personally, I can't confirm this but the pictures certainly look good and their reputation seems solid.

Too bad Schoeps mics cost a fortune but they are probably worth it. The best always is. Cosmic Law #2: You Get What You Pay For.

Sparky

MBHO accessories are HERE.

Though for mic. mounting I would use Rycote InVision mounts.

[dream]

Though for mic. mounting I would use Rycote InVision mounts.

I second this. I Went thru a lot of elastic suspensions over the years and I like the Rycote Invision stuff very much.
Just bought one for the RSM 191. For quick mounting and no heavy use I like the inexpensive Rode SM4 mounted on a Rycote handle.

[acidjack]

^^ Third on this.  If you don't want to spend the coin on Schoeps (consider that they do pop up used from time to time, and so long as they're treated properly, a used set is as good as a new set and will cost a ton less), I wouldn't shy from the MBHOs for a second because of some issue like mounting options.  Those Rycote mounts are cheaper than many of the mounts offered by the manufacturers themselves (DPA and Schoeps and Neumann's exorbitantly priced mounts all come to mind) and they work beautifully. 

[page]

^^ Third on this.  If you don't want to spend the coin on Schoeps (consider that they do pop up used from time to time, and so long as they're treated properly, a used set is as good as a new set and will cost a ton less), I wouldn't shy from the MBHOs for a second because of some issue like mounting options.  Those Rycote mounts are cheaper than many of the mounts offered by the manufacturers themselves (DPA and Schoeps and Neumann's exorbitantly priced mounts all come to mind) and they work beautifully.

+4

I use one in a kwonbar-style setup and I've been rather happy with it.

On the note about setups; often I find that because what we do is a niche activity compared to others (whether stage crews, studio engineers, or theater setups), we seem to be more inclined to create a solution that meets our needs (and employ a bit of creativity) instead of buying a pre-done/COTS setup. Yeah, I need a touch of gaffer tape to help construct the kwonbar-like object I use, but it works rather well and meets my needs.

[F.O.Bean]

You can check out MBHO recordings at the bottom of everyone of my posts, under my LMA recordings

[John Willett]

^^ Third on this.  If you don't want to spend the coin on Schoeps (consider that they do pop up used from time to time, and so long as they're treated properly, a used set is as good as a new set and will cost a ton less), I wouldn't shy from the MBHOs for a second because of some issue like mounting options.  Those Rycote mounts are cheaper than many of the mounts offered by the manufacturers themselves (DPA and Schoeps and Neumann's exorbitantly priced mounts all come to mind) and they work beautifully.

I have actually swapped over all my manufacturer suspensions and now use the Rycote ones for everything - not because they are cheaper (which they are) - but because they are better.

Rycote are now making OEM for a large number of manufacturers who now find this the better option.

[DSatz]

I believe MBHO is an acronym for Mikrofonbau Haun (Obrigheim). I wouldn't go as far as John Willett--the microphones are very respectable, better than 75 or 80% of what else is out there. I'd put them in the same tier as, say, Beyer but not so close to Schoeps despite the obvious visual similarity of their exterior designs and the statement on their Web site that their chief engineer used to work for Schoeps (without saying how many decades ago, for how long or what his job was). Their microphones are good enough to stand on their own without such marketing crutches.

--best regards

[rokpunk]

right now I own 3 pairs of bodies and 6 pairs of capsules (4 different patterns)
that's like owning 15 pairs of mics 

It's like owning 15 pairs of mics, unless you want to use them all at the same time, in which case it's more like owing 6 mics. Just sayin'..

valid point if I were recording multitrack
but for stereo audience recording it's nice to have so many options without having to carry that many different mics

I suppose that is true about not having to carry so many different mics.
OP...you may want to have a hard look at the AKG 460 line. Either the ck61 or ck63 capsules sound fantastic on the 460 bodies for audience recordings.

[acidjack]

I have actually swapped over all my manufacturer suspensions and now use the Rycote ones for everything - not because they are cheaper (which they are) - but because they are better.
Rycote are now making OEM for a large number of manufacturers who now find this the better option.

So true. Another member here turned me on to them and I have been thrilled.  They are easy to use, reliable, and effective.  I have watched them vibrate quite a bit while suspended from an extension arm off of a balcony, and my recordings remained free of noise.

I don't own any Schoeps mounts, but I do have some of the DPA products - which basically cost as much for a single mount as a pair of the Rycotes - and they are nowhere near the flexibility or build quality.