I can't snip all these quotes, but:
- Yes, I think the 4021s are too heavy to "clip" and there is no such thing. Generally hats are your friend
- I run Schoeps in a variety of setups, but hardly ever stealth. When I do I usually run 4061s. I mean, I eventually *will* stealth with my Schoeps, but that's not my primary concern. That said, I think Schoeps>tinybox is a great setup - it's comparable to the DPAs, not necessarily "better" or "worse". FWIW I prefer the sound of the DPA 4021 to the Schoeps MK4. In taping situations, it depends. Sometimes I believe the Schoeps MK5 and MK4V are superior to the DPAs for what we do; I never have felt that way about 4021 vs. MK4. The 4021s are very clean and transparent, for good or ill.
- With DPA 402x>PMD661 that's all you need. Dan aka nyctaper ran 4021>PMD660 as his stealth rig for years and got great results. The 661 is smaller.
Schoeps do make it a tad confusing, but let me see if I can help a little:
MKx = a capsule (4=cardiod, 4V=vertical-address cardiod, 5=switchable cardiod/omni, 2=omni, 41=supercardiod, etc.)
KCx = a cable
CCM = a compact body
CMC = a normal-sized body
CMR = a compact Schoeps cable designed for use with remote systems, but also useful for taping, which is about the size of a CCM and can be run off of less power (hence its popularity with the first tinybox)
Those are the main abbreviations you'll see. The numbers stay consistent. So the "CCM4" means a compact cardiod mic (for which you cannot switch the caps). MK4>CMC6 means "MK4 capsules running into CMC6 bodies"
Personally, I would not go with CCMs even though they sound awesome, just because the price is higher than the various other Schoeps setups. That is the beauty of Schoeps - lots of versatility, plus of course uncompromising world-class quality. DPA is a bit less versatile but the quality is outstanding if not better in terms of build and sound *in the right situation*
I generally agree with all of hi and lo's comments, fwiw, though he's a little harsh on the DPAs
I do agree that the MK4 is the cap that "gives Schoeps a bad name with some" if you can call it that. It is darker and has a flatter response, whereas the MK5 and MK4V have intentionally non-flat responses. My favorite Schoeps caps are the MK41 and the MK5. My opinion is that *relative to other manufacturers* the MK41 is the most impressive, meaning - DPA, AKG, Milab, Neumann etc. all make a great cardiod mic. Nobody makes a hypercardiod mic IMHO with the richness of the MK41. [ducks as fluffers of AKG 63s, etc. etc. chime in] The MK41 was ultimately the main reason I got rid of the DPAs; it was just easier to run one system.
Oh, one other point, you would need an additional custom solution to go KCY>661. The KCY is terminated in a binder connector. Naiant can build tinyboxes that work with KCY, but to go KCY>any random preamp you need a special "PFA" which is a sort of hybridized Naiant + other people solution (the primary technology is the Naiant PFA, which perhaps is the most ingenious of all of Jon's products...)
Going with your stated goal of remaining in Europe and NOT using U.S. custom gear (plenty of good reasons for that), DPA 4021>661 is the most achievable for you.
Not something you should or probably even can.
Do clips even exist for the 402x or are the mics too heavy?
The 4021 is the absolute smallest because of the fixed RA cabling. That is what I used to have. That cable entry can supposedly become fragile and break, though I never had an issue. The lemo version is more expensive, and also longer, but a more stable connector.
May I ask what you use now instead of the 4021s?
4021>v2 tinybox is a nice small rig.
You mean if I kept using the R-09HR, right? I wouldn't need the Tinybox with the PMD-661, would I?
With Schoeps you have tons of options. The CCM series are beautiful little mics, but you pay a premium. The "cheaper" Schoeps solutions involve using either their CMR or KCY cables and running into something like a Naiant tinybox.
I like the look of the CCM 4V. I assume those plug straight into P48. Is that correct? The product page doesn't actually say. All of the mic manufacturers assume more knowledge than I have.
In your position, I'd consider some used 402x at the right price and a v2 tinybox. That will set you back about $2300 depending what type of used prices you get.
Again, I assume you mean for use with the R-09HR. If not, why is the Tinybox needed?
With the Schoeps, depending how you go, the caps will be at least $1000 (used; MK4s matched are ~$1700 new), then depending on the cabling, another $600-900 (the KCY is $900, it's probably the best cable for stealth). Then the tinybox for another $220.
I find the Schoeps stuff particularly confusing. If I understand things correctly, the CCM 4 is basically the MK 4, but with the amp built in, so that none of the KCY, CMR and Tinybox or Schoeps pre-amps are needed. Is that correct? Oh, please tell me it is.
If I'm right, the CCM 4 and CCM 4V come with cables that allow them to plug straight into P48 XLR sockets. Correct?
Thanks everyone for all of the replies so far and all of the gentle hand-holding. The rig I have now is very straightforward. Outside of that, it's a big , confusing world.