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Author Topic: Schoeps or AKG ?  (Read 22062 times)

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Offline eclark

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Schoeps or AKG ?
« on: October 13, 2011, 09:29:16 PM »
I don't really want to start a shit storm on here- just hear some honest answers. What's the big difference?!?!

I've listened to a few comparisons on the LMA tonight, of some of my favorite bands, mostly shows I was in attendance, and even some comps where the mics were on the same stand. I've been also fair on the preamp and location, because I know that can influence sound.

IMO, the AKGs sound better in EVERY sample!!!

This is my take- Compared to the AKGs, the Schoeps can get muddy and loose LOTS of details. They don't have as much contrast in the highs or lows, resulting in less resolution.

STS9 2005-12-30 Tabernacle ATL:
Schoeps: http://www.archive.org/details/sts92005-12-30.mk41.flac16
AKG: http://www.archive.org/details/sts9-2005-12-30.akg_c480b.flac16
good comps: luma daylight, ramone & emiglio

Disco Biscuits 2006-08-25 Camp Bisco NY:
Schoeps: http://www.archive.org/details/db2006-08-25.mk4v_722.flac16
AKG: http://www.archive.org/details/db2006-08-25.akg481.flac16
good comps: 7-11, svenghali

Umphrey's McGee 2006-11-17 Tabernacle ATL
Schoeps: http://www.archive.org/details/um2006-11-17.mk4.flac16
AKG: http://www.archive.org/details/um2006-11-17.setII
good comps: GYMRH, push the pig, walletsworth


But I really want to know what YOU think!



akg 460b + ck61 (-10db) > MixPre-D > Sony PCM M10

Offline willndmb

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #1 on: October 13, 2011, 09:43:40 PM »
you are not going to get good answers on this because everyone hears differently
i like akg over schoeps in most cases
others will say schoeps are better
you have to see what your ars like and go that route, seems like you have figured it out already since you said the akg sound better to you in every sample you listened to
Mics - AKG ck61/ck63 (c480b & Naiant actives), SP-BMC-2
XLR Cables - Silver Path w/Darktrain stubbies
Interconnect Cables - Dogstar (XLR), Darktrain (RCA > 1/8) (1/8 > 1/8), and Kind Kables (1/8f > 1/4)
Preamps - Naiant Littlebox & Tinybox
Recorders - PCM-M10 & DR-60D

Offline Chuck

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #2 on: October 13, 2011, 10:00:14 PM »
I favor the AKG sound  :coolguy:

...wait until Bean sees this thread... lol...
Reality is merely an illusion, albeit a very persistent one.

Microphones: AKG C 480 B comb-ULS/ CK 61/ CK 63, Sennheiser MKE 2 elements,  Audix M1290-o, Micro capsule active cables w/ Naiant PFA's, Naiant MSH-1O, Naiant AKG Active cables, Church CA-11 (cardioid), (1) Nady SCM-1000 (mod)
Pre-amps: Naiant littlebox, Naiant littlekit v2.0, BM2p+ Edirol UA-5, Church STC-9000
Recorders: Sound Devices MixPre-6, iRiver iHP-120 (Rockboxed & RTC mod)

Recordings on the LMA: http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/ChuckM
Recording website & blog: http://www.timebetweenthenotes.com

Offline eclark

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #3 on: October 13, 2011, 10:10:40 PM »
calling bean...
akg 460b + ck61 (-10db) > MixPre-D > Sony PCM M10

Offline page

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #4 on: October 13, 2011, 10:26:55 PM »
calling bean...

haha, yeah, bean just bought schoeps after running mbhos and akgs for 10+ years.

This is my take- Compared to the AKGs, the Schoeps can get muddy and loose LOTS of details. They don't have as much contrast in the highs or lows

I have 1 primary beef with the AKG house sound; The texture of the 8-11khz range (or there abouts) creates a "sizzle" that I think sounds like ass. It's just the color of the mics and not a tonal balance issue. Something about it just doesn't jive with my hearing. For example, I've found a grit somewhere around 6-8khz in the Neumann 100 line as well but that one is completely dependent on the playback. Sounded fine on my LCD-2s, pretty good on my Denon 7000s, and it made me want to poke my eye out with a set of etymotic ER-6s where as I hear the AKG house sizzle everywhere but to various degrees. The Schoeps color is unique, but it doesn't bother me with any playback system I've heard. Sometimes it's not great, but it doesn't make me look for another source to listen to, it's basically just a tonal balance issue there. Different playback setups will reveal different details.

I personally would run just about any other mic other than AKGs first, but there are folks here who really like them. I don't like the house sound/texture/color, regardless of their tonal balance (which I can fix if needed with either cap system). No harm in that. If you like how they sound, run them!  :)
"This is a common practice we have on the bus; debating facts that we could easily find through printed material. It's like, how far is it today? I think it's four hours, and someone else comes in at 11 hours, and well, then we'll... just... talk about it..." - Jeb Puryear

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Offline hi and lo

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #5 on: October 13, 2011, 10:27:54 PM »
I believe there is more to this than simple A/B comparisons. Schoeps offers a product line and level of support that is really unmatched, except perhaps by DPA. I won't take a side on the debate of sonic qualities between AKGs and Schoeps; I love them both for different reasons. However, I do know which company offers a superior level of support or customizations and that is Schoeps.

Offline achalsey

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #6 on: October 13, 2011, 11:21:44 PM »
What's the big difference?!?!


I have no qualitative knowledge, but quantitatively I'm going to say the price tag is a pretty big difference.

Offline hi and lo

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #7 on: October 13, 2011, 11:22:58 PM »
What's the big difference?!?!


I have no qualitative knowledge, but quantitatively I'm going to say the price tag is a pretty big difference.

It's hard to put a price on reliability.

Offline tim in jersey

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #8 on: October 14, 2011, 12:23:39 AM »
I own both. I like both for different reasons.

That being said, I give the Schoeps a slight edge.

Reason being that, due to size constraints, I can often get my active/Schoeps rig in to locations where I know damn good and well I would be denied otherwise.

Throw the nbox in the mix for those occasional stealth/no-stands-allowed venues/shows and it's a no-brainer for me. Not a cheap solution, by any means, but it feels good to know I can pull from the sweet spot no matter the condition...

Offline F.O.Bean

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #9 on: October 14, 2011, 12:48:07 AM »
Its comparing apples and oranges really! I liked the 480s because I could afford thm back in 1999 w my HS graduation money, and had no clue what was what. We didnt have ts.com back then :P

Sonically, the 480s are a very bright mic, just like the MBHOs are. I loved running both and the HOs gave me a chance to run actives :) And since running atives, I will NEVER run full-bodied mics EVER again :P ;D I LOVE the size and weight of my mk41/lemosax combo and sonically it is just the right darkness and has just the right amount of detail for me. I wish I had this setup YEARS AGO, because back then I was making good recordings and now I am CONSISTENTLY making GREAT recordings :P ;D 8)

So to each his own. I think my rig is/will contend against ANY RIG OUT THERE, at least IMO. YMMV :) And going the mk41>KCY route, my rig CANNOT get any smaller.
Schoeps MK 4V & MK 41V ->
Schoeps 250|0 KCY's (x2) ->
Naiant +60v|Low Noise PFA's (x2) ->
DarkTrain Right Angle Stubby XLR's (x3) ->
Sound Devices MixPre-6 & MixPre-3

http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/diskobean
http://www.archive.org/bookmarks/Bean420
http://bt.etree.org/mytorrents.php
http://www.mediafire.com/folder/j9eu80jpuaubz/Recordings

Offline OFOTD

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #10 on: October 14, 2011, 01:34:31 AM »
483's still kick the crap out of any other hyper out there > Cold Hard Truth   >:D

Offline jbou

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #11 on: October 14, 2011, 01:39:52 AM »
Sonically, the 480s are a very bright mic, just like the MBHOs are.

I thought people considered MBHOs to be darker sounding.... am I wrong?

Offline newplanet7

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #12 on: October 14, 2011, 02:38:19 AM »
You can't go wrong with either IMO. game.
1) Both companies products are reliable as hell and have great reputations for QUALITY. Loads and loads of old vintage AKG/Schoeps
still being used as main workhorses.
2) Both companies have great modular systems for their many individual SDC mics.
3) If going LDC route the AKG 414's are a taper fav.
4) While AKG does have a remote system(caps separate from bodies for low pro)
Schoeps has the market on active/remote set-ups.
5) If you go the AKG route you will save a buttload of cash at least in the SDC game.
However, Schoeps does have more polar pattern cap options but with a huge price difference
even without the active option, the body cap standard mic has a huge price gap.

NEITHER COMPANY WILL DISAPPOINT for what we do here.
MILAB VM-44 Classic~> Silver T's~> Busman PMD660
News From Phish: Will tour as opening act for Widespread Panic for Summer
hahaha never happen, PHiSH is waaaaayyyy better the WSP

They both ain't got nothing on MMW... Money spent wisely if you ask me...


FYI, it is a kick ass recording of a bunch of pretend-a-hippies talking.

Offline newplanet7

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #13 on: October 14, 2011, 02:54:11 AM »
What's the big difference?!?!
I have no qualitative knowledge, but quantitatively I'm going to say the price tag is a pretty big difference.
It's hard to put a price on reliability.
Both products/companies are extremely reliable and will both be here for some time to come.
I haven't heard anything negative about either Companies service. Not ever.
What's great IMO, is you almost never hear about problems with either companies products
having to go back to the manufacturer.
So which has the upperhand? Not sure.
I've heard great things about Jerry from Posthorn, and also have heard great things about Richard Land
MILAB VM-44 Classic~> Silver T's~> Busman PMD660
News From Phish: Will tour as opening act for Widespread Panic for Summer
hahaha never happen, PHiSH is waaaaayyyy better the WSP

They both ain't got nothing on MMW... Money spent wisely if you ask me...


FYI, it is a kick ass recording of a bunch of pretend-a-hippies talking.

Offline darby

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Re: Schoeps or AKG ?
« Reply #14 on: October 14, 2011, 07:01:42 AM »
I have ran AKGs since 88 and love them
I have ran 41s thru a V3 and liked the sound as well, but for me the price tag isn't in my ballpark
even if I owned schoeps, I don't own a stereo nice enough to really take advantage of the subtle differences

 

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