Preamp for Schoeps..?

[Canopus]

Originally Posted by kissingonstilts

Many really lovely professional orchestral recordings were done with the Schoeps/Millennia combination. .

That's true. I love that combination.

Originally Posted by 4blades

Schoeps are among my favourite microphones.

I've used the GML 8302, and the lovely Qes labs SMP-2 for my stereo recordings.

Recently I had the chance to rent a DPA 3511 stereo kit.
Together with the smp-2 in an ORTF configuration, they reached the 'jaw-dropping' music state. A highly recommended match.

The smp-2 is a great preamp, when you need presence, focus and detail.
I've listened to it in a classical music recording.
I think together with the dpa's is a killer beast.

Originally Posted by minister

I am not a fan of the 737's

I'm not an avalon fan too.

[pelanas]

I agree, here's a 24 bit 48 KHz sample of Jeff Troxel playing guitar. This sample was captured with a single Schoeps CMC64 through a Great River MP2NV preamp.

http://www.flatpick.com/microphonete...20Mic%2012.wav

Nice playing but that pick is making a hell of a squeeky sound that is all over the place! Where did you place the schoeps?

[Baz]

I was recently part of an SDC shootout and we had a Schoeps in there with a MK4 head. We used several amps but the Forssell SMP500 was the champ. I gotta get me a pair

[Withnail]

Get the Forssell SMP2. Highly recommended! thumbsup
We use it with our Schoeps and with all other mics.
Actually getting a bit bored with API, Great River, Pacifica and the lot.
Their "Mojo" is seriously reduced now compared to the Forssell.
I'm not even sure anymore that the Forssell is transparent
If it is, then Millennia and Grace aren't.
I think the sound of Forssell is very fat, big, solid, euphonic, in your face.

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by Withnail

Get the Forssell SMP2. Highly recommended! thumbsup
We use it with our Schoeps and with all other mics.
Actually getting a bit bored with API, Great River, Pacifica and the lot.
Their "Mojo" is seriously reduced now compared to the Forssell.
I'm not even sure anymore that the Forssell is transparent
If it is, then Millennia and Grace aren't.
I think the sound of Forssell is very fat, big, solid, euphonic, in your face.

Yes, I can just second that .. Over the years I used so many preamps, but none came close to Forssell SMP-2 that is so alive, detailed and musical (for example Millennia HV3 sounds so "sterile" comparing to it ...) And it is great not only for classical or acoustic music (where it shines)

Just yesterday I had 2 renowned hiphopers here in my studio and there were trying some mics (Gefells, Horch etc.). And we recorded all the samples through BAE 1073 ... (about which they thought it is ideal for vocals). Then I had an idea, let us try to sing the same and just change a preamp and I switched from BAE to SMP-2. And actually I did not expect it would sound better on these rap vocals ... But they were so surprised and like it so much (and we then did many direct comparisons just changing the preamp) that they gave up BAE 1073 and will take SMP-2 to their new hiphop studio ... I was quite surprised ... The vocals really sounded better - more alive, detailed, natural and with better emotional appeal ... BAE sounded a bit more artificial, less detailed, like going through some filter ...

And yes, for my own Schoeps collection, I use SMP-2 most of the time. Sometimes I use also Thermionic Culture Earlybird, but very rarely ...

[sanskara]

I use them with Gordon preamps, seems to work for me.

[buzzjoe]

Originally Posted by Carotte

An excellent transparent match is with the Forsell... Check them here Which are not so expensive for the amazing sound! Good thing for you if you get a 500 rack is that they make them in 500 format too... Check here Retail at 795$...

+1 for the Forssell SMP-2. Imho a great combination with the Schoeps mics. But to my ears the SMP-2 sounds much better than the SMP 500 (tried both side by side and sent back the SMP 500).

Oliver

[Jim Williams]

Check out the phantom design. Many preamps use a series resistor before the 6.81k feed resistors. That can cause problems with Schoeps which draw around 4 ma to work properly. If that resistor is 470 ohms or less, you are ok. If you see 1k or more = problems.

[Adkins]

Originally Posted by Canopus

...I think together with the dpa's is a killer beast...

They sound great in this shoot-out.

[KevWind]

I use my CM6 MK4 through an A Designs MP2A

[binarymilton]

Originally Posted by Anthony777

I have a pair with MK41 capsules. I've been using a Millennia Media HV-3 preamp and they sound excellent through that also. No suprise, as they are such darn fine mics. The only tube preamp I've tried them through is a Peavey VMP. Sounded nice but a bit muddy. But that pre is known to be a bit 'cloudy'.

The schoeps have such wonderful midrange. My go-to mic for acoustic instruments. I've also been using one lately to record a female singer, and it's just gorgeous on her midrange. She loves the sound of it.

Does the MK4 capsule have a noticeably different sound to the MK2 (omni) then? A marked mid-range emphasis?

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by binarymilton

Does the MK4 capsule have a noticeably different sound to the MK2 (omni) then? A marked mid-range emphasis?

My only experience is with the MK 4. However many here say there is a difference between between the MK 4 and 41 let alone with the MK 2. Perhaps there are comparative sound clips on the Schoeps web sight.

[robot gigante]

I am using an A Designs JM-3001 these days with my Schoeps. It's big and very detailed and not fuzzy or scooped in the lows/low mids like some 'transparent' preamps are.

For certain many 'clean' designs sound scooped or sterile (the ones in the Orpheus are supposed to be quality, but geez, with the Schoeps they can sound like cardboard) but I think when clean is done right it can sound bigger and more euphonic than anything else, like has been said about the Forsell. And the detail gives the mix more depth of course.

So I definitely prefer a cleaner design like the JM with the Schoeps (using CK4 MK6).

[Earcatcher]

The Schoeps go well with good clean preamps. I use Lake People F355 with class A option, which is built by the same guys that build the magnificent VSR-5 preamp for Schoeps. They really know how to make great preamps. True Systems P2 Analog goes well with them too. And the Sound Devices 788t of course. I often use my Schoeps mics with just that recorder on location.

[Lehmman]

I feel the Schoeps go well with tube preamps too.
Actually I prefer this combination to the 'clean' ones. It depends on the context, of course.

[Cathedral Guitar]

Although, they will sound great through any 'decent' preamp, I also like them with better using a pre with tubes/transformers for solo acoustic instruments, and my favorite is the ADL600, because you can add some darkness (or not) by adjusting the impedance, and also play with the gain structure to drive the tubes to add girth (or not). A much bigger sound than the HV3, which still works great for ensemble/location work.

[legato]

Welcome!

What in particular do you want to share?



Henk

[vitreouswindows]

Last year I rented an EAR and a Fearn pre to use with my Schoeps. Both were nice (as one might expect), but the Fearn was more engaging. A really lovely elegant sound paired with the Schoeps. I couldn't afford it, but that is the family of tone I preferred. I suspect an RCA-styled pre would be of the same family.

[alohachris]

Aloha,

I do a lot of stereo recording on acoustic guitar these days. The Schoeps CMC641 hypers are my "go-to" pair. I have several high quality pairs of other brands, S/D & L/D's too.

I really believe that those mic's are of such high quality that they sound fantastic with almost ANY preamp. I try them on every equal quality pre I come across. Always works for me.

For the last couple years, I've used the 641's on six pre's I own:

Pendulum Audio MDP-1a tube
A-Designs Pacifica
Great River MP-2NV (recently sold)
Pendulum SPS-1 (my gigging pre)
Apogee Ensemble (great on-board mic pre's)
Apogee Duet1 (same).

My current favorite preamp with those Schoeps is the Pendulum MDP-1a tube. Gives me everything I could want in reproducing the natural acoustic sound of my guitars perfectly. SOOOO smooth, warm, very un-clinical sounding, detailed yet musical, un-harsh & that tube pre just provides a natural, uncolored, good balance for those "fast" mic's.

I love the Pacifica on them as well. Exceptional.

I've loved how they sound on almost every mic pre! Ha! Not all but most. (Not 610, 710, or 737's!)

alohachris

If i were looking to upgrade the sound of my recordings on acoustic guitar, but was budget-constrained, then I'd get a single CMC641 & a used Pacifica preamp. I'd make more DIY OC 703/705 room treatment panels. Voila! THAT would make a world of qualitative difference in your recordings. -alohachris-

[Ward Pike]

Am I alone in finding Shupps to have the biggest mid-hump of all condensors? If you find yourself in agreement, what would anyone recommend to scoop that out for a more flat response?

[Earcatcher]

Originally Posted by Ward Pike

Am I alone in finding Shupps to have the biggest mid-hump of all condensors? If you find yourself in agreement, what would anyone recommend to scoop that out for a more flat response?

Mid-hump? They must be about the flattest mics that I know of, so no scooping of my Schoepses. I suggest you check your entire chain to find out where that mid-hump comes from. It seems very unlikely to me that it comes from the Schoeps mics.

[fifthcircle]

I find that Schoeps microphones adapt to the character of the preamp better than just about any other mic out there... There have been times that I've just switched pres and it feels like I have an entirely new microphone.

I use Grace 801 when I need transparency and depth of image. When I have an opera singer 20 feet from the mics, the Grace is the ticket. For chamber, choral ensemble or orchestral work, I tend towards my Pacifica or my Inward Connections Vac Racs. I also have had great luck with DAV, Boulder, API, and plenty of others. Just depends on the sound you like and want.

--Ben

[recorder2]

Preamplifiers - SCHOEPS.de

Can't go wrong.

[Adkins]

Originally Posted by alohachris

My current favorite preamp with those Schoeps is the Pendulum MDP-1a tube. Gives me everything I could want in reproducing the natural acoustic sound of my guitars perfectly. SOOOO smooth, warm, very un-clinical sounding, detailed yet musical, un-harsh & that tube pre just provides a natural, uncolored, good balance for those "fast" mic's.

Agree. The combination fast mic/tube preamp is sonic heaven!

[Lehmman]

^
can't go wrong too.

[KevWind]

Originally Posted by Adkins

Agree. The combination fast mic/tube preamp is sonic heaven!

Yes i agree great with the MP2 A a some what clean tube.

[acupunk]

has anyone tried the electronaut M63 with schoeps?

[acupunk]

tried a pacifica with my schoeps.
It really surprised me. Really nice.
It really sat nice in the mix. I like the forwardness of it.
Thinking about buying one.
I just am curious about a comparison to a forssell SMP-2 with the schoeps.

[Canopus]

Originally Posted by Ward Pike

Am I alone in finding Shupps to have the biggest mid-hump of all condensors? If you find yourself in agreement, what would anyone recommend to scoop that out for a more flat response?

Uhm, I would check your preamp, must be something wrong.
schoeps are really really flat.

Originally Posted by acupunk

I like the forwardness of it.

[Geoff Poulton]

Used here with DAV - nice.