Why Such Little Love for the MKH-50? at DVinfo.net
DV Info Net

Go Back   DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > All Things Audio
Register FAQ Today's Posts Buyer's Guides

All Things Audio
Everything Audio, from acquisition to postproduction.

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Old December 21st, 2007, 03:52 AM   #1
Trustee
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
Posts: 1,259
Why Such Little Love for the MKH-50?

I'm thinking of adding a hyper cardioid (for reflective room shooting) to my sound arsenal. I currently own an MKH-60.

The hyper cardioid of choice seems to be the Schoeps CMC6-41. But the sound shop I was in today really chatted up the MKH-50. They said it sounds very similar to the Schoeps but they found it to be sturdier.

I read a lot about 416's, 66's, 70's, but comparatively little about the 50. (Yes I did a search.)

So what's your opinion? Is the MKH-50 a good choice OVER the Schoeps CMC6-41?

Thanks!
Peter Moretti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 21st, 2007, 11:36 AM   #2
Regular Crew
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Hants, UK
Posts: 185
Horses for courses. Some swear by the Sennheiser, others the Schoeps. Both are used in household name films, commercials, etc. I don't have much experience of either but reckon Sennheiser has the edge on robustness in nasty environments, but the Schoeps sounds marginally better.
__________________
---8<---
Mike Peter Reed is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 23rd, 2007, 08:34 PM   #3
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Jul 2002
Location: Albany, NY 12210
Posts: 2,652
I believe the MKH50 has less noise than the CMC6 MK41.
Marco Leavitt is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 23rd, 2007, 09:29 PM   #4
Trustee
 
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Sherman Oaks, CA
Posts: 1,259
Right, which means, FWIU, you can use more off-axis and low volume recorded audio b/c there is less mic noise for it to compete against.

And couldn't any "warming" that the CMC6-41 provides be added in post?

Ty, WT_RU when we need you most??! LOL.
Peter Moretti is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 23rd, 2007, 09:53 PM   #5
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 2,109
Reply

Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter Moretti View Post
I'm thinking of adding a hyper cardioid (for reflective room shooting) to my sound arsenal. I currently own an MKH-60.

The hyper cardioid of choice seems to be the Schoeps CMC6-41. But the sound shop I was in today really chatted up the MKH-50. They said it sounds very similar to the Schoeps but they found it to be sturdier.

I read a lot about 416's, 66's, 70's, but comparatively little about the 50. (Yes I did a search.)

So what's your opinion? Is the MKH-50 a good choice OVER the Schoeps CMC6-41?

Thanks!
Hi Peter:

Actually both mics are supercardioids, not hypers.

It's too bad we didn't hook up a few months ago, I live about 20 minutes from you and I had both the Schoeps CMC641 and the Sennheiser MKH-50 here along with a dozen other mics that I was reviewing for an article I am writing. Had to send them back but I used both for five tests and used both on several real shoots. I do have sound samples of both recorded in identical setups with the same talent, male and female as well as handling noise tests, interiors and exteriors.

My quick impressions...

Whomever said that the mics sound close has not used them enough, they do not sound at all alike to me. They both sound great but they have very different characteristics.

Schoeps CMC641 - Very neutral sound, uncolored, typical Schoeps sound. Super low self-noise. What you hear is what your ears hear. Keep in mind that lousy sounding sources will record as lousy, good sounding sources will record well. A lot of neophytes and non-pro sound mixers kind of don't like this type of mic or audio monitors that are that way either. They want a mic to make a source sound "good". It's a subtle issue but an important one. Good does not equal uncolored to a lot of people's ear.

Sennhesier MKH-50 - Much more like your MKH-60. Colored sound with a bias toward mids and bass. Very dynamic sounding, I likened it to an action movie, it's a very much more "exciting" sounding mic than the Schoeps IMHO. Personally, I would love to have both, they are both great tools and each are better for certain situations. You will not go wrong with either.

I just turned in the huge article (40 pages) to my editor along with 121 photos, 59 sound samples. It should be up on his website around January 7th.

If you want to talk on the phone, email me for my number and I will be glad to chat with you in greater detail, if you like. blfilms@mac.com

I am out of town for the holiday but I am available to talk on Friday, the 28th when I get back in town.

All the best,

Dan
Dan Brockett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 24th, 2007, 03:43 AM   #6
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 5,742
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dan Brockett View Post
...
I just turned in the huge article (40 pages) to my editor along with 121 photos, 59 sound samples. It should be up on his website around January 7th.

...Dan

Please share the URL of that site!
__________________
Good news, Cousins! This week's chocolate ration is 15 grams!
Steve House is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 25th, 2007, 01:14 PM   #7
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 2,109
Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve House View Post
Please share the URL of that site!
Hi Steve:

It will be well publicized. We typically get write ups and get our press releases on a few of the better known Mac sites as well as most of the video related sites.

Have a good Christmas Day!

Dan
Dan Brockett is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 28th, 2007, 12:32 PM   #8
Trustee
 
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Scottsdale, AZ 85260
Posts: 1,538
Hey Dan,

First, congratulations. Sounds like a LOT of work!

Like everyone else, I'm really interested in reading your conclusions.

(nothing like having an in-depth review from someone who really knows their subject - it saves the rest of us a HUGE amount of time and effort - so thanks!)

Second, did I read you correctly that you've found someone who will publish a 40 page article? I'm terminally jealous! All those years writing my column and the MOST I ever got was 1500 words!

Be sure to let us all know where we can find it when it's released.

Take care and Happy New Year!
Bill Davis is offline   Reply With Quote
Old December 28th, 2007, 11:58 PM   #9
Inner Circle
 
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: Los Angeles, California
Posts: 2,109
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bill Davis View Post
Hey Dan,

First, congratulations. Sounds like a LOT of work!

Like everyone else, I'm really interested in reading your conclusions.

(nothing like having an in-depth review from someone who really knows their subject - it saves the rest of us a HUGE amount of time and effort - so thanks!)

Second, did I read you correctly that you've found someone who will publish a 40 page article? I'm terminally jealous! All those years writing my column and the MOST I ever got was 1500 words!

Be sure to let us all know where we can find it when it's released.

Take care and Happy New Year!
Hi Bill:

How are you? It's been a while, hasn't it? Yes, I like doing all of the grunt work so you lazy SOBs can just sit back and soak up my manual labor ;-)

The article will be on Ken Stone's site and I plan on following up with a similar article on lavalieres. Hmm...then perhaps mixers, that seems to be another one that gets a lot of play. I have to do wireless mic systems as well, but those two or three articles will probably take me through 2008, I take forever to do my articles because it takes a long time to track down manufacturers and reps to supply samples and it takes me a long time to do the tests, shoot the photos, put it all together, do the drafts and revisions, etc.

In the meantime, gotta make a living too!

Talk soon,

Dan
Dan Brockett is offline   Reply
Reply

DV Info Net refers all where-to-buy and where-to-rent questions exclusively to these trusted full line dealers and rental houses...

B&H Photo Video
(866) 521-7381
New York, NY USA

Scan Computers Int. Ltd.
+44 0871-472-4747
Bolton, Lancashire UK


DV Info Net also encourages you to support local businesses and buy from an authorized dealer in your neighborhood.
  You are here: DV Info Net > The Tools of DV and HD Production > All Things Audio


 



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 11:58 PM.


DV Info Net -- Real Names, Real People, Real Info!
1998-2024 The Digital Video Information Network