R/E/P > Klaus Heyne's Mic Lab
Schoeps - "sound" and impedance issues
Mark Lemaire:
Mike-
I agree with you (and others) that in a great acoustic and great players in good balance, a 'flattering' mic is not necessary or warranted, as it is all already there. In many instances, though, the players and hall need all the help they can get!
For instance, if the hall is muddy and/ or the players are using baroque instruments, then the extra 'zing' and clarity of the Neumann M269 is often called for. The DPA 4003 (which I always set up as well) has too neutral a top end here, it's low-end extension is a liability with a passing bus, and the mids only accentuate any lack of clarity in the acoustic. Besides that, the M269 also has the added advantage of a continuously variable pickup pattern. I often need to move away from my default omni setting to some degree or another to shut out even MORE of a muddy hall or gain more focus on players further from the front of stage, all impossible with the omni-only 4003.
However, with modern symphony musicians in modern halls, I often use the 4003 as a main pair as the brighter modern instruments and the drier (often too dry) hall would seem harsh using the Neumanns and are perfect with the (omni) 4003.
The Schoeps, however, were (to my ear) darker than the 4003 in tone and somehow displeasing to my ear. I am happy that other respected engineers find so much enjoyment in them- they are just not for me. For me, my 'neutral' mic of choice is the 4003.
Erik-
"I very much respect your observations about the Schoeps MK 2H and the CMC 6. Of course there is very much difference between the DPA 4003 130V and the Schoeps P48 Colette series. I wonder only how much psychology is involved in how you describe the differences in grey and black colours, since the Schoeps Colette series have Nextel grey housings, and the DPA mikes are matblack."
If you 'respect my observations', please prove that by trusting that I know better than to assume that a grey mic will 'sound' grey or a black mic 'sound' black.
sincerely
Mark Lemaire
liuto:
Mark,
which of the Schoeps omni capsules did you compare to the DPA 4003? There are in total 4 different omnis from Schoeps from linear (MK2) to diffuse field (MK3 +6dB@10kHz) equalized with MK2H (+2dB) and MK2S (+4dB)inbetween. Especially the MK3 ist rather bright sounding (compared to a KM83 which has nominally the same response!). While I think it is more practical to only change grids on a microphone (DPA) than a much more expensive capsule, I don't know if you can generally state Schoeps omnis are darker sounding than the DPA 4003.
Best regards
Hermann Platzer
Mark Lemaire:
Hermann-
In my original post you will read that the mics I auditioned were a pair of MK2H heads with CMC6 amplifiers. Also if you read my earlier, original post you will see that I very carefully did NOT make any such general statement about Schoeps in general (I know they make many mics), but limited my opinion only to the mics I purchased and then returned.
sincerely
Mark L
recordista:
Barry Hufker wrote on Wed, 20 July 2005 05:59
Brighter is attractive because there is a "zing" or excitement. Take any two microphones, listen to the bright one then listen to the less bright one. The less bright one will sound dull by comparison.
To some of us the 'bright' ones are just irritating.
Barry Hufker:
And frankly I think "the bright ones" ought to be. But then think about what kind of crappy speakers most people buy.
Barry
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