What do you do with one good mic?

Bryan Beasleigh · March 16th, 2004, 12:50 PM

A DVX100 will be simply amazing with the MK41. The Recording magazine small condenser shoot out went through the musical end and rated the Schoeps the best all round.

The AT 5051/4053 setup id pretty well. they reviewed the cardoid (4051) but the hyper (4053) is supposed to kick as_.

Barry Rivadue · March 16th, 2004, 03:29 PM

Thanks for the info.

How do you mount this on a boom, given its rather small size? I also find that very few regular microphone suppliers list it. Why is that?

Bryan Beasleigh · March 16th, 2004, 03:44 PM

Trew,Coffey,Location Sound, Cascade, Oade, Mic Supply,
there are 28 dealers in the US and 5 or so in Canada. They are choosey about who sells them and they are fair traded which means it's hard to get a discounted price. I got about 5% off the list and i considered myself lucky.

http://www.reddingaudio.com/schoeps/dealers.php

You can use a Schoeps, Rycote , Lightwave or a PSC to hang this off a pole. (I'm sure there are others) My rycote baby Ball gags fit the mic perfectly

Barry Rivadue · March 16th, 2004, 05:09 PM

It all looks pretty damn delicious. I like the maple box kit. :D

I assume it's an XLR connection? Would an AT shockmount work for it? It definitely looks like a microphone for the ages.

Barry Rivadue · March 16th, 2004, 05:29 PM

P.S. One more question: if the Schoeps proves an elusive goal at this time for me, what would you recommend as a strong if somewhat less pricey alternate? An AT 4073a perhaps? In a perfect world I'd have a shelf of wonder mics. :) I'm looking for a mic that is, if anything, more suited for music/singing than speaking voice, since I have an adequate voice mike at this time (SennME66).

Patrick Bower · March 16th, 2004, 05:33 PM

The DVX100 audio is good, but it will not do justice to the Schoeps, at least not for music. A dual system would give much better sound quality, for example, the M-audio Duo recording onto a laptop.
The Schoeps is a top quality microphone. The better the equipment you use with it, the better it will sound. I record classical music using the MK41 with an MK8 as M/S stereo, into a Mackie mixer, Lynx L22 A/D converter, recording at 24 bit 192K onto a Dell laptop in a docking station. The sound is incredible. Way better than CD. Even when it is reduced back down to 16 bit 48 k to make a DVD, it still sounds phenomenal.
Patrick

Douglas Spotted Eagle · March 16th, 2004, 05:50 PM

Patrick, if you are on a PC system, try the iZotope for your dither down to 16, using triangle mode. You'll be surprised, I think. Very smooth, no zipping.

Barry Rivadue · March 16th, 2004, 05:52 PM

Patrick, that definitely does sounds phenomenal, and it's very impressive a setup, but it might be a wee bit overkill for my purposes--though given unlimited resources why not? :) I plan to do some location taping of musicians in rather close quarters, and am looking for an optimum mic, boomed, that would perhaps capture music and/or a singing voice or group better than other mics.

Bryan Beasleigh · March 16th, 2004, 07:43 PM

Barry
Look at the Oktava hypercardoid, there are some exapmples on that sitethat I sent you. The AT 4053a is an excellent alternative at $400 for a hyper capsule and preamp. The 4073 is also an excellent short shotgun at $530. Jeff Donald uses the long gun 4071 for nature audio, so you know that end of the line has to be good.

My VX2000 is sitting in customs right now having been modofied by Greg Winters.
http://www.gregjwinter.com/modification2.htm

If you read the mod info, I now record directly to the camera Analog to Digital converter at line level. I have to use my Sound Devices 302 or an MP1 for all inputs. it's as good as it gets.

Patrick Bower · March 17th, 2004, 03:28 AM

Barry,
For a small music group, I think it would definitely be worth recording in stereo. You can get matched pairs of the Oktavas or the Rode NT5 (or the Rode NT4 stereo mike).

This is a good article about recording in stereo:
http://www.tape.com/Bartlett_Articles/stereo_recording_procedures.html

Dual system is not hugely expensive, if you already have a laptop. The M-audio USB duo is $250.

Douglas,
I am using Soundforge 6, at its highest quality settings, to reduce to 16bit 48K. Is Izotope better?

Patrick

Barry Rivadue · March 17th, 2004, 08:00 AM

Thanks for the info; I'm becoming an honorary audio geek. :)

George Ellis · March 17th, 2004, 08:07 AM

The other title referenced in the Bruce Bartlett article is at

http://www.tape.com/Bartlett_Article...echniques.html

Douglas Spotted Eagle · March 17th, 2004, 08:46 AM

yes, the iZotope is better. It's the best dithering tool I've heard. They also have a great guide to dithering on their website. Well worth the read.

Barry Rivadue · March 17th, 2004, 03:29 PM

The Rode N4 definitely looks promising, since until now I haven't paid much attention to stereo mics. The more I read about this model the more exceptional it seems. I would imagine I'd use it primarily on a boom.

Bryan Beasleigh · March 17th, 2004, 09:26 PM

The NT4 or for that matter any stereo rig will not give a proper image if boomed for all but a few instrumental applications. many of the tapers use a light stand with the stereo rig placed either well above the crowd , pointing at the subject or at a level plane , facing the subject.

FYI: Rode has done well in producing reasonably priced microphones that give amazing value for the dollar spent. They aren't made in china and are built like the proverbial brick out building :)

the Rode manual will give a few hints
http://www.rodemicrophones.com/usermanuals/nt4um.pdf

There are a few tutorials, i'll try and post some links.

http://www.oade.com/Tapers_Section/faq-mic.html
http://www.josephson.com

March 16th, 2004, 05:50 PM	#22
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	Patrick, if you are on a PC system, try the iZotope for your dither down to 16, using triangle mode. You'll be surprised, I think. Very smooth, no zipping. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

March 17th, 2004, 08:46 AM	#28
Douglas Spotted Eagle VASST Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Stockton, UT Posts: 5,648	yes, the iZotope is better. It's the best dithering tool I've heard. They also have a great guide to dithering on their website. Well worth the read. __________________ Douglas Spotted Eagle/Spot Author, producer, composer Certified Sony Vegas Trainer http://www.vasst.com

March 16th, 2004, 12:50 PM	#16
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	A DVX100 will be simply amazing with the MK41. The Recording magazine small condenser shoot out went through the musical end and rated the Schoeps the best all round. The AT 5051/4053 setup id pretty well. they reviewed the cardoid (4051) but the hyper (4053) is supposed to kick as_.

March 16th, 2004, 03:29 PM	#17
Barry Rivadue Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 508	Thanks for the info. How do you mount this on a boom, given its rather small size? I also find that very few regular microphone suppliers list it. Why is that?

March 16th, 2004, 03:44 PM	#18
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Trew,Coffey,Location Sound, Cascade, Oade, Mic Supply, there are 28 dealers in the US and 5 or so in Canada. They are choosey about who sells them and they are fair traded which means it's hard to get a discounted price. I got about 5% off the list and i considered myself lucky. http://www.reddingaudio.com/schoeps/dealers.php You can use a Schoeps, Rycote , Lightwave or a PSC to hang this off a pole. (I'm sure there are others) My rycote baby Ball gags fit the mic perfectly

March 16th, 2004, 05:09 PM	#19
Barry Rivadue Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 508	It all looks pretty damn delicious. I like the maple box kit. :D I assume it's an XLR connection? Would an AT shockmount work for it? It definitely looks like a microphone for the ages.

March 16th, 2004, 05:29 PM	#20
Barry Rivadue Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 508	P.S. One more question: if the Schoeps proves an elusive goal at this time for me, what would you recommend as a strong if somewhat less pricey alternate? An AT 4073a perhaps? In a perfect world I'd have a shelf of wonder mics. :) I'm looking for a mic that is, if anything, more suited for music/singing than speaking voice, since I have an adequate voice mike at this time (SennME66).

March 16th, 2004, 05:33 PM	#21
Patrick Bower Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London, England Posts: 126	The DVX100 audio is good, but it will not do justice to the Schoeps, at least not for music. A dual system would give much better sound quality, for example, the M-audio Duo recording onto a laptop. The Schoeps is a top quality microphone. The better the equipment you use with it, the better it will sound. I record classical music using the MK41 with an MK8 as M/S stereo, into a Mackie mixer, Lynx L22 A/D converter, recording at 24 bit 192K onto a Dell laptop in a docking station. The sound is incredible. Way better than CD. Even when it is reduced back down to 16 bit 48 k to make a DVD, it still sounds phenomenal. Patrick

March 16th, 2004, 05:52 PM	#23
Barry Rivadue Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 508	Patrick, that definitely does sounds phenomenal, and it's very impressive a setup, but it might be a wee bit overkill for my purposes--though given unlimited resources why not? :) I plan to do some location taping of musicians in rather close quarters, and am looking for an optimum mic, boomed, that would perhaps capture music and/or a singing voice or group better than other mics.

March 16th, 2004, 07:43 PM	#24
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	Barry Look at the Oktava hypercardoid, there are some exapmples on that sitethat I sent you. The AT 4053a is an excellent alternative at $400 for a hyper capsule and preamp. The 4073 is also an excellent short shotgun at $530. Jeff Donald uses the long gun 4071 for nature audio, so you know that end of the line has to be good. My VX2000 is sitting in customs right now having been modofied by Greg Winters. http://www.gregjwinter.com/modification2.htm If you read the mod info, I now record directly to the camera Analog to Digital converter at line level. I have to use my Sound Devices 302 or an MP1 for all inputs. it's as good as it gets.

March 17th, 2004, 03:28 AM	#25
Patrick Bower Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: London, England Posts: 126	Barry, For a small music group, I think it would definitely be worth recording in stereo. You can get matched pairs of the Oktavas or the Rode NT5 (or the Rode NT4 stereo mike). This is a good article about recording in stereo: http://www.tape.com/Bartlett_Articles/stereo_recording_procedures.html Dual system is not hugely expensive, if you already have a laptop. The M-audio USB duo is $250. Douglas, I am using Soundforge 6, at its highest quality settings, to reduce to 16bit 48K. Is Izotope better? Patrick

March 17th, 2004, 08:00 AM	#26
Barry Rivadue Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 508	Thanks for the info; I'm becoming an honorary audio geek. :)

March 17th, 2004, 08:07 AM	#27
George Ellis Trustee Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Suwanee, GA Posts: 1,241	The other title referenced in the Bruce Bartlett article is at http://www.tape.com/Bartlett_Article...echniques.html

March 17th, 2004, 03:29 PM	#29
Barry Rivadue Major Player Join Date: Jun 2002 Posts: 508	The Rode N4 definitely looks promising, since until now I haven't paid much attention to stereo mics. The more I read about this model the more exceptional it seems. I would imagine I'd use it primarily on a boom.

March 17th, 2004, 09:26 PM	#30
Bryan Beasleigh Trustee Join Date: May 2002 Location: Barrie, Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,922	The NT4 or for that matter any stereo rig will not give a proper image if boomed for all but a few instrumental applications. many of the tapers use a light stand with the stereo rig placed either well above the crowd , pointing at the subject or at a level plane , facing the subject. FYI: Rode has done well in producing reasonably priced microphones that give amazing value for the dollar spent. They aren't made in china and are built like the proverbial brick out building :) the Rode manual will give a few hints http://www.rodemicrophones.com/usermanuals/nt4um.pdf There are a few tutorials, i'll try and post some links. http://www.oade.com/Tapers_Section/faq-mic.html http://www.josephson.com