Topic: DPA 4006/4006 TL - Anybody familiar with these mics?

[boojum]

Has anyone experience with these mics and/or the Schoeps CMC6 Mk2h.  I do not know much about either except they are regarded highly by the pros and supposedly capture sound very well and with little coloration, or little bad coloration.   Can anyone pass me along some experience with either or both of these?

Thanks   

[muj]

these are quite popular..you should be able to find someone local who can rent or maybe if you're lucky borrow these mics so you can try these out.

[boojum]

I live on the dark side of the moon.  Radio Shack is quite popular out here.  ;o)   I suppose I could do it by mail.  Are you familiar with them?? 

[ghellquist]

Boojum,
    this is sort of a difficult question to answer. You have to help out in telling us your intended use.

Both are at the very top professional quality layer of small diameter condenser omni mics. Both are very often used in classical recordings (think, mics on a symphony orchestra) . The main cost of a classical recording is paying maybe 50 musicians, so the cost of the microphone is not an issue there. Less often used in the pop studio arena. The difference between them can be argued but is mostly on the "matter of taste" scale. You will not go wrong with any of them, unless what you need is a different type of microphone (maybe a cardioid) .

The Schoeps are old work-horses in the classical arena and is a two part mic, body + capsule. The MK2h has a small high frequency rise to compensate for the loss of high frequencys experienced at a medium distance from an orchestra (or similar). The Schoeps range has quite a few other capsules to choose from, simply looking at the omnis there are the mk2 and mk2s nicely bracketing the mk2h in amount of high frequency rise. The CMC6 is pretty much the normal choice of body, although they have some choices there as well.

The DPA-s are old work-horses in classical as well. They started out branded B&K, in fact the actual capsule is still marked with that brand (long story) . The same capsule can be found in the 4003, the 4006 and the newest 4006TL. Personally I run the 4003 and has always been happy. These mics comes with exchangeable grids, allowing tailoring the high frequency rise to get similar results as with the three Schoeps mentioned above. I would be happy with either of the mics, with a slight preference to the 4003 and probably putting the 4006TL next on the list. But the 4003 needs a special power supply increasing the system complexity. There is even a service available where the manufacturer modifies your 4006 to become a 4006TL at a fee if you preferr the difference in sound.

Both manufacturers has been around quite a while and both can service your mics if the need arises.

In the same kind of arena you find mics like some of the Neumann mics, the Sennheiser MKH-s, and a few other brands. Which sort of concludes the discussion, it is about small differences down to your taste. A "real" engineer migh have both available depending on the situation. Only way to choose in my mind is to actually test the mics in your real life recordings.

Gunnar

[MattD]

If you like the DPAs, consider the small-body version of the 4006. I think that's the 4052, but my numbers might be wrong.

Also, if you're wanting an omni, find a pair of Earthworks QTC-1 (or whatever the hell they're calling them now in their renaming effort). At least listen to those before you decide.

[boojum]

The application would be mostly classical.  The blues, jazz and other pop groups around here work in halls so small that the sound of the hall is something I do not want.  Most are just big phone booths.  The plus with the DPA is being able to tailor the sound with the attachments which come in the stereo kit, 3056 I believe, while with Schoeps it means buying an additional cap. 

As this is a huge outlay of cash I cannot afford to make a misstep.  I would expect a pair of omnis to go with the Schoeps CMC64 cardioids I now have and be my "mic locker."

Good points, Gunnar.  Thanks.

I am back to thinking about this and scratching my head.

Cheers

[BC]

As this is a huge outlay of cash I cannot afford to make a misstep.  I would expect a pair of omnis to go with the Schoeps CMC64 cardioids I now have and be my "mic locker."

Cheers

If you already have the CMC6 bodies, it should save you a decent chunk of cash to just go with a schoeps omni cap (MK2?), right?

[boojum]

Yes, I could do that, but be unable to do four track down the road.  The Mk2h is the other option.  I like Schoeps a lot.  Having the simple inventory is nice but I do want to be able to four track.  I think I am going towards a CMC62h or 4006TL (3056 stereo kit) but am curious what the combined wisdom of the group is.

Thanks

[Massive Dynamic]

I'm pretty sure Teddy had a trio of 4006s and did classical recordings.

[boojum]

Yes, Teddy and I discussed his 4006's at one point.  At the time he had a client who was strongly inclined to Schoeps sound.  They are both nice mics.  I like my Schoeps.  I may just rent a pair of 4006TL's to run alongside a rented pair of CMC62h's and see how I like them.  I am just hoping that somehow has visited this before me.