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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: acidjack on December 21, 2010, 01:13:46 PM
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For those using these, I had a few questions:
1. Does the cardiod setting sound the same as the Mk4?
2. How often do you use the omni vs. the card? I realize this will change a lot depending on what and where you tape. But in general, do you find that spending the extra $$ to have the option was worth it?
3. Is there any mechanical or handling issue caused by there being switchable pattern? E.g., more breakable than standard fixed-pattern caps, etc....
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this is my favorite capsule to use due to the flexibility. I run onstage a good bit and alternate between omni/card depending on the band. the mk5 has a ever so slight high frequency bump.
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^^^ love the mk5, that bump cleans up the cards from a distance without over-doing it like certain other schoeps caps ;)
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For those using these, I had a few questions:
1. Does the cardiod setting sound the same as the Mk4?
2. How often do you use the omni vs. the card? I realize this will change a lot depending on what and where you tape. But in general, do you find that spending the extra $$ to have the option was worth it?
3. Is there any mechanical or handling issue caused by there being switchable pattern? E.g., more breakable than standard fixed-pattern caps, etc....
Don't own 'em any more, but I'll chime based on my previous ownership...
1. Better than the MK4 and MK4V, IMO. I like the very mild and sustained HF rise.
2. I definitely used the cards more often. But for on stage or outdoors / in a good sounding venue with a jecklin disc -- damn, the omnis sound mighty fine! If you're planning to have both cards and omnis, the MK5s are the way to go, I think.
3. Can't speak to it, as I never had any problems.
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I'd love to hear a good comp of MK4 vs MK5-cardioid.
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dito!
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The sonic difference between the MK 4 and the MK 5 in its cardioid setting is slight but potentially audible on direct comparison with a good playback system. The omni setting of the MK 5 has characteristics somewhat like those of the MK 2 S, which is probably Schoeps' most generally useful omni capsule, although again on careful listening a difference would be audible.
Schoeps recommends the MK 5 for any new users if they're not sure which other capsule(s) they want to start out with, and I tend to agree. There's no sacrifice of reliability or performance from its having the two pattern settings, and the characteristics of both patterns are well chosen for a very wide range of recording applications. The mechanically switchable capsule design allows the omni to be a true pressure transducer (full low frequency response, very low sensitivity to wind or vibration, zero proximity effect), while the cardioid is still a true cardioid at low frequencies, unlike the cardioid setting of electrically switched multi-pattern mikes.
--best regards
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Thanks DSatz!
Anyone got any samples for us to hear?
/Jonas
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bump!
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Jontebus, it's probably going to be difficult finding a MK5 vs. MK4 comp if only because I'd imagine there aren't many people own both. Anyone I know that buys MK5, uses that as a reason to sell their MK4's. I suppose it's possible to have two people record something side-by-side, one that owns MK5 and the other that owns MK4, but then you'd have differences in downstream gear. I know there are lots of samples of both out on the archive though so that might give you some sort of idea of what each sounds like if you listen to alot of samples.
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I see that the OP's question about the reliability of the pattern switching mechanism has gone unanswered. This mechanism is quite simple and straightforward, and I've never heard of any case in which it failed to work unless the capsule had been disassembled and tampered with. Schoeps has been using basically the same mechanism since the 1950s. I'm from the 1950s myself, and I wish I had such low maintenance requirements.
The one caution is, don't expect a "wide cardioid" pattern if you leave the lever midway between the omni and the cardioid positions. It doesn't harm the capsule but a "blobuloid" pattern and uneven frequency response may result. (Now watch, someone will probably post that it's his or her favorite setting and won several "shootouts" ...)
--best regards
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One more comment on the reliability of the Schoeps pattern switching mechanism: I have a pair of m934c capsules that date back to the ±1960's that still work perfectly. I'd suspect that Schoeps's manufacturing quality has only gotten better since then. Have no such fears!
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Jontebus, it's probably going to be difficult finding a MK5 vs. MK4 comp if only because I'd imagine there aren't many people own both. Anyone I know that buys MK5, uses that as a reason to sell their MK4's. I suppose it's possible to have two people record something side-by-side, one that owns MK5 and the other that owns MK4, but then you'd have differences in downstream gear. I know there are lots of samples of both out on the archive though so that might give you some sort of idea of what each sounds like if you listen to alot of samples.
Reviving an old thread here. I just picked up a pair of MK5’s and a friend on here was kind enough to offer a loan of his MK4’s, so I will have an opportunity to do an actual side by side comp using the same deck, hopefully next week.
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Jontebus, it's probably going to be difficult finding a MK5 vs. MK4 comp if only because I'd imagine there aren't many people own both. Anyone I know that buys MK5, uses that as a reason to sell their MK4's. I suppose it's possible to have two people record something side-by-side, one that owns MK5 and the other that owns MK4, but then you'd have differences in downstream gear. I know there are lots of samples of both out on the archive though so that might give you some sort of idea of what each sounds like if you listen to alot of samples.
Reviving an old thread here. I just picked up a pair of MK5’s and a friend on here was kind enough to offer a loan of his MK4’s, so I will have an opportunity to do an actual side by side comp using the same deck, hopefully next week.
+T (also update your gear list!)
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Jontebus, it's probably going to be difficult finding a MK5 vs. MK4 comp if only because I'd imagine there aren't many people own both. Anyone I know that buys MK5, uses that as a reason to sell their MK4's. I suppose it's possible to have two people record something side-by-side, one that owns MK5 and the other that owns MK4, but then you'd have differences in downstream gear. I know there are lots of samples of both out on the archive though so that might give you some sort of idea of what each sounds like if you listen to alot of samples.
Reviving an old thread here. I just picked up a pair of MK5’s and a friend on here was kind enough to offer a loan of his MK4’s, so I will have an opportunity to do an actual side by side comp using the same deck, hopefully next week.
You will see more of a difference between the Omni settings of MK 5 vs MK 2 than you will using the cardioid settings of MK 5 vs MK 4.
Queue up Mr. Satz for a thorough explanation why.