what's the "U-87" of the classical world?

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

On Fri, 27 Aug 2004 16:29:46 -0400, xy wrote
(in article <6c38b64b.0408271229.229489f0@posting.google.com> ):

> I was wondering if there is a mic brand/model that sticks out as being
> the "industry standard" for quality stereo classical recording.
>
> I know about Decca trees and stuff.
>
> But I was wondering if there was a simple chamber music recording of a
> flute and piano, or a solo voice... is there some pair of mics that
> are most used by quality classical recordists?
>
> I seem to observe that people talk a lot about Shoeps mics in
> classical applications. I'm wondering if there is some Shoeps model
> that people would automaticallly reach for to record a few classical
> musicians. Or maybe it's something totally different?
>
> Is Shoeps/Millennia HV-3 the "U-87/Neve" of the classical world?

I'll buy that. Don't forget the "c" in Schoeps. And while Millennia make
great preamps, there are others that mate well with Schoeps. I like my GML
and Aphex 1100.

The model of Schoeps you choose has a lot to do with the job you need done.

As you may know, one of the nice things about Schoeps is the vast array of
capsules that can be mated with the power supply (body).

Get a bunch of different capsules instead of having to buy an entire mic.

Regards,

Ty Ford



-- Ty Ford's equipment reviews, audio samples, rates and other audiocentric
stuff are at www.tyford.com

Archived from groups: rec.audio.pro (More info?)

xy wrote:

> I seem to observe that people talk a lot about Shoeps mics in
> classical applications. I'm wondering if there is some Shoeps model
> that people would automaticallly reach for to record a few classical
> musicians. Or maybe it's something totally different?

The best-selling Schoeps microphone would be, in effect, the CMC 64
cardioid. I say "in effect" since Schoeps sells capsules and amplifiers
(bodies) in a modular, mix-and-match system. As a result, a microphone
isn't just that one model for all time, but potentially can become many
others as well, if you exchange one part of it for another one.

For example if you happen to be using an MK 41 supercardioid capsule on
a CMC 6-- (dual-voltage phantom powered) amplifier at a given moment, you
can call it a "CMC 641" if you like; the same body used with an MK 2S omni
capsule makes the microphone a "CMC 62S" for the time being, etc., which
lets you adapt the microphones to specific recording methods and tasks.

Those three capsules are the ones I would recommend looking into for many
classical applications--perhaps with an MK 5 in place of both the MK 4 and
the MK 2S to save some on the cost. For other applications there might be
other capsules of interest, especially the MK 21, MK 8 or MK 2H.

Special accessories and versions also exist for particular types of setup,
e.g. when trying to be as unobtrusive as possible for film or video.

Information is available from www.schoeps.de and www.reddingaudio.com; the
latter is the Web site of the U.S. distributor, and has a list of dealers.
Some of those dealers post Schoeps price lists and product descriptions on
line, so you should be able to find out more without much difficulty.

(That's a world of change from the situation when I bought my first pair
of Schoeps microphones 30 years ago--I had to write several letters and
make a surprising number of long-distance phone calls to track down the
distributor, find out pricing and order the microphones. Then I didn't
receive them for several months since no stock was kept in the U.S. ...)

--best regards