Topic: Anyone here rock the Schoeps MK-21?

[soundrelisher]

Want to get into taping, they seemed to be the cream of the crop for ORFT, is this about right? Are they overkill?

This guy seemed to have some taping experience:

http://gregweddig.net/?page_id=22

[Brian Skalinder]

Schoeps MK-21s sound great!  I ran them for a good while.  I generally didn't care to run them ORTF.  And over the years I've learned to not limit myself to specific "standardized" configurations.  Overkill:  depends on individual perspective.

Before focusing on specific gear, like MK21s, I think it's important to take a step back and better understand your situation and preferences.  A handful of important questions, the answers to which may help us help you (or help you help yourself):

• What's your budget (total, not just mics)?
• What type of music will you record, generally?
• Open or stealth recording?
• What type / size of venues?
• From what types of typical locations will you mostly record?  (e.g. tapers section, general audience, near-stage, on-stage)
• Amplified or unamplified?
• On what playback system will you do your listening?
• What type of sonic signature do you like in other people's recordings?

The second to last question is important because I think it's useful to balance one's recording gear with one's playback gear.  For example:  with fabulous recording gear, but cruddy playback gear, it's difficult to really appreciate the recording gear...so why spend huge amounts of money right away?  Just something to consider.

The last question is especially difficult to answer, especially for newbies.  For most people -- well, at least for me, anyway -- it took a LOT of recording, listening, and experimentation before I settled into a "sound" I liked, comprising mics + preamp + ADC.  And my preferences have changed over time, too.  At any rate, don't sweat it if you don't have a definitive answer to the last question, but do share your thoughts if you have them.

[DSatz]

The MK 21 might be my favorite capsule at this point; in the situations where I can get away with using it, I know it's going to please the listeners. Of course, no one type of capsule or microphone is always best for all recording situations, and maybe one reason that I like the MK 21 so much is that I happen to like the kind of acoustics in which I can use it.

Also, begging someone's pardon I'm sure, but the "ORTF" stereo recording method is defined in a very specific way. It's not the American (or for that matter, Wiccan) ethic of "An it harm none, do what ye will." If you use any microphones other than small-diaphragm, single-diaphragm, front-incident cardioid condensers, or any spacing and angle other than 17 cm and 110 degrees, then it's not ORTF. It's not me being the purist here; the ORTF tried many approaches, and the one they came up with is the one that bears their name.

The MK 21 is called a "wide cardioid" for lack of a better name, but a "wide cardioid" isn't a cardioid. In any case, a setup with 17 cm spacing and 110 degrees between axes with wide cardioids doesn't image as clearly, or capture spaciousness as well, as it would if you spread the capsules somewhat farther apart.

--best regards

[Kevin Straker]

I have a pair of those and love them. They will give you huge, fat, rich sound. I like to run them outside from the sweet spot. Add the Mk41 caps(hypers) and you have a very versatile rig. I like to use the NOS configuration(w/21's) which allows for a greater spread between the caps.

[H₂O]

Or add an mk8 and you have a very versatile rig as well