Sonodore or Schoeps

[jpupo74]

Hello,
I'm having a really hard time trying to decide what to get.
3 Schoeps MK2H's or 2 Sonodores!?!?!?
I really love them both and I know I will use any of them on any orchestral situation and love the results.

So just for fun!!!!

Cheers,
Pupo

[boojum]

Que est-ce que c'est le Sonodore???

[didier.brest]

Originally Posted by boojum

Que est-ce que c'est le Sonodore???

Congratulations for your French! thumbsup
Just a minor mistake: Qu'est-ce ...

[boojum]

D'accord; c'est vrai. ;o)

[aracu]

I vote to get six schoeps, four sonodores, and a partridge in a pear tree.

[soundgeezer]

C'est une companie des pays-bas qui fabrique des micros et des préamplis

[ISedlacek]

Never heard of Sonodore microphones ...

[0VU]

Originally Posted by jpupo74

Hello,
I'm having a really hard time trying to decide what to get.
3 Schoeps MK2H's or 2 Sonodores!?!?!?

How about two Schoeps and a couple of extra capsules to open up your options.

The Sonodores are excellent mics though.

[jnorman]

of those two choices, i would go for the sonodores, but it is only personal preference and depends on the kind of sound you are after for your work. the schoeps definitely have a sort of wonderful color to them, whereas the sonodores will give you a more DPA-like clean transparency.

in that price range, i think you should also give serious consideration to the Sanken mics, specifically the CO-100k. here is a user report on the sanken by michael bishop:
SANKEN MICROPHONE CO .,LTD. | User Reports : Details

[David Spearritt]

Are Sonodore the OEM of their capsules? I thought I read somewhere they use ACO Pacific capsules.
AcoPacific, Inc. - Acoustics Products

[jpupo74]

Originally Posted by 0VU

How about two Schoeps and a couple of extra capsules to open up your options.

The Sonodores are excellent mics though.

Because I have the other options clear.
I always use three mics as my main setup plus two flanks, but I might sacrufuce the cebte mic for a while until I can save more for a third sonodore...
Thanks,
Pupo

[jpupo74]

Originally Posted by jnorman

of those two choices, i would go for the sonodores, but it is only personal preference and depends on the kind of sound you are after for your work. the schoeps definitely have a sort of wonderful color to them, whereas the sonodores will give you a more DPA-like clean transparency.

in that price range, i think you should also give serious consideration to the Sanken mics, specifically the CO-100k. here is a user report on the sanken by michael bishop:
SANKEN MICROPHONE CO .,LTD. | User Reports : Details

Hi jnorman,
I´ve heard the Sankens...I recall them being a bit bright for my taste.
I find the SOnodores to be in the middle compared to Schoeps and DPA´s.
I think I have to continue thinking before pulling the trigger.
Thanks,
Pupo

[dtf]

Originally Posted by David Spearritt

Are Sonodore the OEM of their capsules? I thought I read somewhere they use ACO Pacific capsules.
AcoPacific, Inc. - Acoustics Products

As far as I know, the first Sonodore mics were based on a B&K test microphone capsule (can't recall the product no.). I would be surprised if Rens Heijnis, the designer, changed them.

Personally, I would go for the mic technique that you are used to, because, frankly, 3 microphones can't be substituted by 2 mics, no matter how good they are. And the Schoeps MK2H are great microphones.

Dirk

[Don S]

I really miss my pair of MK2H! You can't go wrong with either the 4006 or MK2H.

[Plush]

I tested Sonodore mics in 1997 and found them to be outstanding microphones.
They are only made in omni pattern and, of course, in Holland, that is what is called a
"real microphone."

I really like the idea of not being limited to 48V phantom power and the dynamic range obtainable with Sonodore mics is outstanding. Capsule is a pre-polarized electret.

Now more than a decade later the price of Sonodore is waaaaay waaaaaay up compared to when Rens Heijnis sold direct.

I suppose your decision about what to buy is strictly governed by whether you get to work in great halls that will allow you to only use an omni microphone.

Rens Heijnis makes some of the best mic pre-amps and best small analog consoles in the world. However, when I was considering them, he proposed an 8 channel console for $14,000. Here in the US, Judy Sherman uses one of his small consoles.

I thought of buying a Rens Heijnis mic amp recently but instead bought the new Schoeps VSR-5 mic amp.

[NorseHorse]

Scott Dorsey wrote a review of the Sonodore microphones in Recording Magazine earlier this year. It was actually very informative concerning the history of the microphone capsule.

- It's finally summer, and we heat things up with our June issue! Our main topic is the... : Recording Magazine -

[jpupo74]

Originally Posted by Plush

I tested Sonodore mics in 1997 and found them to be outstanding microphones.
They are only made in omni pattern and, of course, in Holland, that is what is called a
"real microphone."

I really like the idea of not being limited to 48V phantom power and the dynamic range obtainable with Sonodore mics is outstanding. Capsule is a pre-polarized electret.

Now more than a decade later the price of Sonodore is waaaaay waaaaaay up compared to when Rens Heijnis sold direct.

I suppose your decision about what to buy is strictly governed by whether you get to work in great halls that will allow you to only use an omni microphone.

Rens Heijnis makes some of the best mic pre-amps and best small analog consoles in the world. However, when I was considering them, he proposed an 8 channel console for $14,000. Here in the US, Judy Sherman uses one of his small consoles.

I thought of buying a Rens Heijnis mic amp recently but instead bought the new Schoeps VSR-5 mic amp.

I first heard of Sonodores from Judith about 5 years ago. She also uses one of Rens's consoles if I'm not wrong. I recall her console has an EQ on the master section which is used for monitoring when she tracks on a place she usually choses for chamber music, something like and old building in NYC.

The main reason I'm second guessing is $$$.

I've also seen Bert working, he has a very VERY fine setup, and he's great. He visits Galaxy Studios in Belgium several times a year. Interesting mic technique.

Well, lets see how many gigs I can line up in th enext few months.

Cheers,
Pupo

[jpupo74]

11 votes for Schoeps
2 votes for Sonodores

[didier.brest]

Originally Posted by Plush

I thought of buying a Rens Heijnis mic amp recently but instead bought the new Schoeps VSR-5 mic amp.

Hi Plush,

I guess that this Schoeps preamp is much expensive. What does it bring more with respect to the DAV BG1 ?
Thanks in advance for your information,
Didier

[Kees de Visser]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Never heard of Sonodore microphones ...

Here are some links:
Sonodore website
Rens Heijnis website

I'm a big fan of Rens Heijnis (sounds like "highness" BTW) and the equipment he designs and builds. Reliability is excellent IME. None of his products I own has ever let me down. Some of it is over 20 years old and still working flawlessly.
Unfortunately I don't own Sonodores (too many nice mics already) but have used them several times and like them very much. They can be a good start for a mic collection, depending on the kind of work you do. I'm fairly sure it's not too difficult to arrange a demo.

@Plush ("I really like the idea of not being limited to 48V phantom power")
Rens can modify microphones. It can't hurt to ask him about the possibilities

[klaukholm]

Originally Posted by jpupo74

11 votes for Schoeps
2 votes for Sonodores

Well, most here are nt familliar with Sonodore, and schoeps is well known.

My vote is pick the mic you think is the best for you even if it is more expensive.

[ISedlacek]

Has anyone directly compared Sonodore mics to Schoeps ? I have compared Schoeps to the full array of DPA mics and found that even if I did not have Schoeps, I would have to get them since they have something warm, musical and appealing in them comparing to rather "cold" sounding DPAs. I wonder how Sonodore mics sound comparing to Schoeps. Do they have some nice "vibe" or they are rather on DPA side ?

[Plush]

Originally Posted by didier.brest

Hi Plush,

I guess that this Schoeps preamp is much expensive. What does it bring more with respect to the DAV BG1 ?
Thanks in advance for your information,
Didier

Hello Didier,

I have followed the development of the new Schoeps mic pre-amp for some years.
I find that the presentation offered by the Schoeps VSR-5 is an elegant sound with an opulent character.

I have been using it on choirs and vocalists with two Senn. MKH800s.
The sound is lush and the stereo picture deep and wide.

This morning I made a live broadcast with the singing group Chanticleer with the above combo and also 2 Pearl CC22.

It is recommended as a very fine new design. It is based on Valley People TransAmp from the 70's.

I still use dav electronics Broadhurst Gardens range of mic amps for most of my records and for daily use. They are the sound I like.

However here we have a variety of mic amps--all useful. Gordon, Neve 1073 DPD, FM Acoustics ClassAmp M1, Crookwood Paintpot are some stand outs. I have 20 channels of BG mic amps though.

[jpupo74]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

Has anyone directly compared Sonodore mics to Schoeps ? I have compared Schoeps to the full array of DPA mics and found that even if I did not have Schoeps, I would have to get them since they have something warm, musical and appealing in them comparing to rather "cold" sounding DPAs. I wonder how Sonodore mics sound comparing to Schoeps. Do they have some nice "vibe" or they are rather on DPA side ?

Hello ISedlaeck,
Lets put it this way...
They are warmer than DPA's, colder than Schoeps.

They are in between...
They are just GREAT microphones.
Cheers,
Pupo

[Teddy Ray]

pupo, have you tried the josephson/gefell combination? similar..both 1/2 inch :""measurement""... the Gefell is based on the B_K 4165 capsule.
similar pedigree.

with modifications, any number of measurement capsules from Gefell, GRAS, B+K, and others can be used with that body(although I like the MK`102 and 221 best)


I had a similar problem a while ago.. At the time, I was searching for a no compromise pair of omnis. Tried sonodores, gefells measurement line, BK, etc.. I ended up with the josephson/gefell... though the sonodores were equally good.

[jpupo74]

Originally Posted by Teddy Ray

pupo, have you tried the josephson/gefell combination? similar..both 1/2 inch :""measurement""... the Gefell is based on the B_K 4165 capsule.
similar pedigree.

with modifications, any number of measurement capsules from Gefell, GRAS, B+K, and others can be used with that body(although I like the MK`102 and 221 best)


I had a similar problem a while ago.. At the time, I was searching for a no compromise pair of omnis. Tried sonodores, gefells measurement line, BK, etc.. I ended up with the josephson/gefell... though the sonodores were equally good.

Hey Teddy Ray,
No I haven't, good to know though. I wonder how the capsules and electronics will age. Have you modded diferent capsules or just the Gefells???
Cheers,
Pupo

[Teddy Ray]

Originally Posted by jpupo74

Hey Teddy Ray,
No I haven't, good to know though. I wonder how the capsules and electronics will age. Have you modded diferent capsules or just the Gefells???
Cheers,
Pupo

the modification is an adapter that can allow the josephson body to accomodate other measurement capsules.

I have used many, many "ultra linear" microphones, though...

you can't go wrong with Josephson or Sonodore, though I like the Josephson/gefell flexibility much better.. re aging...never noticed any issues at all, beyond the normal maintenance one should do...

[MichaelPatrick]

Plush, will you describe your broadcast mic setup with the Pearls and Senns?

Originally Posted by Plush

Hello Didier,

I have followed the development of the new Schoeps mic pre-amp for some years.
I find that the presentation offered by the Schoeps VSR-5 is an elegant sound with an opulent character.

I have been using it on choirs and vocalists with two Senn. MKH800s.
The sound is lush and the stereo picture deep and wide.

This morning I made a live broadcast with the singing group Chanticleer with the above combo and also 2 Pearl CC22.

It is recommended as a very fine new design. It is based on Valley People TransAmp from the 70's.

I still use dav electronics Broadhurst Gardens range of mic amps for most of my records and for daily use. They are the sound I like.

However here we have a variety of mic amps--all useful. Gordon, Neve 1073 DPD, FM Acoustics ClassAmp M1, Crookwood Paintpot are some stand outs. I have 20 channels of BG mic amps though.

[Plush]

I enclose a pic here so you can get an idea of the eventual set-up. The pic shows the mics BEFORE they were positioned.

This studio is at WFMT Radio in Chicago where I do a lot of recording and live bcast work. It is a medium size studio with a reverb time of about 1 sec. So not dead but not super live. Freq. response in the room is very even.

The Chanticleer group arranged themselves in a semi-circle with trebles and altos on the LFT. and tenors and basses on the RT.

I used two Sennheiser MKH 800 mics high up in a spaced cardioid arrangement. The mics were angled at 90 degrees from each other. Then I moved the two Pearl CC22 cardioids in close. One was close to the trebles and altos and the other was close to the basses. This was a deliberate decision and I depended on the tenor sound to cut through and be picked up on the RT. Pearl mic. The low bass sound of this group MUST be heard because they offer it up PHAT.

The 800 cardioids were panned hard LFT. and RT and the closer in Pearls were panned at 10 o'clock and 2 o' clock.

Then I just balanced the group with the distant mics and turned up the close mics as needed. I drove the reverb (Lex. Large hall) from the more distant 800 mics.

Result was the Chanticleer group singing in a combo church/larger hall acoustic.
This suited the early music nature of the presented Christmas program.

The broadcast was about a 40 minute affair. It was judged an excellent success.
This radio station has these live broadcasts quite often--maybe 2-4 times a week.

Tomorrow I'll do the same type of bcast with Anonymous 4.

They usually happen around 4:00 PM or a little after, Central time.
If you are interested you can hear them on WFMT - Chicago's Classical and Folk Music Radio Station - Home
Click the "listen now" button.

WFMT Radio is the largest classical broadcasting organization in the USA.

[MichaelPatrick]

Thanks!