Schoeps CMC641 vs Sennheiser MKH8040/50 at DVinfo.net

Craig Irving · March 18th, 2008, 08:21 AM

Hey again. I know we've got some scattered threads all over regarding these mics, hopefully this can act as the definitive thread.

I was hoping Ty's review would've been published by now, but it seems not. I'm starting to reconsider on the MKH8050 since most people seem to think the 8040 is closer to the Schoeps CMC641. I'm also considering buying Schoeps again since I found a dealer that has it for the old purchase price and not the new MSRP. That makes it closer in cost to the MKH-8040/50.

Has anyone compared the 8040 to the 8050 for dialog/interviews and come to any conclusions about which would work better? I mostly just shoot indoors for drama-type films.

Also, people keep bringing up the handling noise and needing a good shockmount for the Sennheiser 8000 series mics, but how is the Schoeps for this? Is it possible to bring it outside and hand-hold it for interview-style shooting? I realize neither of these mics are meant for this purpose, but would the Schoeps work better than the MKH8040/50 ....assuming I had no other choice? Or should I avoid both of these mics for this sort of occasion.

Steve House · March 18th, 2008, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Irving

Hey again. I know we've got some scattered threads all over regarding these mics, hopefully this can act as the definitive thread.

I was hoping Ty's review would've been published by now, but it seems not. I'm starting to reconsider on the MKH8050 since most people seem to think the 8040 is closer to the Schoeps CMC641. I'm also considering buying Schoeps again since I found a dealer that has it for the old purchase price and not the new MSRP. That makes it closer in cost to the MKH-8040/50.

Has anyone compared the 8040 to the 8050 for dialog/interviews and come to any conclusions about which would work better? I mostly just shoot indoors for drama-type films.

Also, people keep bringing up the handling noise and needing a good shockmount for the Sennheiser 8000 series mics, but how is the Schoeps for this? Is it possible to bring it outside and hand-hold it for interview-style shooting? I realize neither of these mics are meant for this purpose, but would the Schoeps work better than the MKH8040/50 ....assuming I had no other choice? Or should I avoid both of these mics for this sort of occasion.

The Schoeps is also very sensitive to handling. They are both so small that just the mechanics of handholding them securely without generating a lot of noise would present a problem. Not to say you shouldn't buy one, far from it. But I wouldn't buy it for handheld interview use. If you can afford the 2 kilobucks for the Schoeps you can manage to scrape together another 200 for a mic like the EV RE50 that is purpose built for handheld reporting and interviewing and have both in your kit. Use the right tool for the job.

Craig Irving · March 18th, 2008, 07:17 PM

I agree. That's a good point.

I would have only used it that way on very rare occasions. But you're right, I'd be better off picking up a different mic that would handle the task properly.

Craig Irving · March 31st, 2008, 02:20 PM

http://www.proaudioreview.com/pages/s.0033/t.12361.html

Review of the MKH-8040.

Dan Brockett · March 31st, 2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Craig Irving

http://www.proaudioreview.com/pages/s.0033/t.12361.html

Review of the MKH-8040.

Nice review but his tests were not especially applicable to location sound work. I am going to have to check out Ty's review to see what he has to say about it. An A/B shootout between this mic and the CMC-641 would be quite interesting.

Dan

Ty Ford · March 31st, 2008, 05:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Steve House

The Schoeps is also very sensitive to handling. They are both so small that just the mechanics of handholding them securely without generating a lot of noise would present a problem. Not to say you shouldn't buy one, far from it. But I wouldn't buy it for handheld interview use. If you can afford the 2 kilobucks for the Schoeps you can manage to scrape together another 200 for a mic like the EV RE50 that is purpose built for handheld reporting and interviewing and have both in your kit. Use the right tool for the job.

The cmc641 is a LOT less sensitive to handling than the 8050.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Sacha Rosen · April 2nd, 2008, 11:18 AM

I have not used the Sennheiser but as far as the Schoeps goes don't forget to factor in the price of a cut 1,

Ty Ford · April 2nd, 2008, 11:42 AM

You trying to scare him?

The cut 1 is not really necessary if you have a mixer with a high pass filter.

I have a Sound Devices 442 and cmc641. I don't have a cut 1. The high pass filter on the 442 has always been adequate.

Environment depending, it may not be necessary.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Jim Andrada · April 2nd, 2008, 12:51 PM

Ty,

Thanks for the comment. I can understand the desirability of cutting out the low frequencies as close to the source as possible, before amplifying them, but I have great faith in my SD gear and at the price of a Cut 1 I'd have to have some real unhappiness with the result before forking over the $$$.

March 18th, 2008, 08:21 AM	#1
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	Schoeps CMC641 vs Sennheiser MKH8040/50 Hey again. I know we've got some scattered threads all over regarding these mics, hopefully this can act as the definitive thread. I was hoping Ty's review would've been published by now, but it seems not. I'm starting to reconsider on the MKH8050 since most people seem to think the 8040 is closer to the Schoeps CMC641. I'm also considering buying Schoeps again since I found a dealer that has it for the old purchase price and not the new MSRP. That makes it closer in cost to the MKH-8040/50. Has anyone compared the 8040 to the 8050 for dialog/interviews and come to any conclusions about which would work better? I mostly just shoot indoors for drama-type films. Also, people keep bringing up the handling noise and needing a good shockmount for the Sennheiser 8000 series mics, but how is the Schoeps for this? Is it possible to bring it outside and hand-hold it for interview-style shooting? I realize neither of these mics are meant for this purpose, but would the Schoeps work better than the MKH8040/50 ....assuming I had no other choice? Or should I avoid both of these mics for this sort of occasion. Last edited by Craig Irving; March 18th, 2008 at 09:02 AM.

April 2nd, 2008, 11:42 AM	#8
Ty Ford Inner Circle Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Baltimore, MD USA Posts: 2,337	You trying to scare him? The cut 1 is not really necessary if you have a mixer with a high pass filter. I have a Sound Devices 442 and cmc641. I don't have a cut 1. The high pass filter on the 442 has always been adequate. Environment depending, it may not be necessary. Regards, Ty Ford __________________ Ty Ford's Audio Bootcamp Field Guide Ty Ford's Audio Video Blog

March 18th, 2008, 07:17 PM	#3
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	I agree. That's a good point. I would have only used it that way on very rare occasions. But you're right, I'd be better off picking up a different mic that would handle the task properly.

March 31st, 2008, 02:20 PM	#4
Craig Irving Major Player Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Toronto Posts: 539	http://www.proaudioreview.com/pages/s.0033/t.12361.html Review of the MKH-8040.

April 2nd, 2008, 11:18 AM	#7
Sacha Rosen Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Winnipeg, Manitoba Canada Posts: 86	I have not used the Sennheiser but as far as the Schoeps goes don't forget to factor in the price of a cut 1,

April 2nd, 2008, 12:51 PM	#9
Jim Andrada Inner Circle Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Tucson AZ Posts: 2,211	Ty, Thanks for the comment. I can understand the desirability of cutting out the low frequencies as close to the source as possible, before amplifying them, but I have great faith in my SD gear and at the price of a Cut 1 I'd have to have some real unhappiness with the result before forking over the $$$.