Sound quality of Schoeps MK21 as compared to the MK2

[bove]

I'm curious about the differences in sound quality/color between the Schoeps MK2 and the MK21.

Any advice would be much appreciated!

The MK 21 has been recommended to me as a great choice to use in a stereo pair for acoustic classical chamber music. (Spaced slightly wider then regular ORTF.) The logic for this choice being that a wide cardioid pattern would provide a nice compromise between the directivity and stereo imaging of the MK4 and the off axis sound quality and low frequency pickup of the MK2.

I am curious about the sound of the microphone. According to the specs, I notice that the MK21 loses some sound on the low end as compared to an omni. For those of you who have used or own both MK21 and MK2, what is your impression of this?


Two other options to consider seem to be:
MK4 in ORTF, or similar.
MK2 in AB.

If you have a moment to share some info, that would be great!

[ISedlacek]

I have both pairs (+ MK4V pair) and they are all quite different. If you aspire for just one pair which should be rather universal, I think MK21 is the way. As somebody already rightly said - it is quite difficult to record something with the MK21 pair, which would sound bad. Very nice, warm, connecting the best from both cardioid and omni world.
MK2 are very nice and neutral omnis (unlike MK2H and MK2S which have quite substantial HF rise and are therefore not very much suitable for close miking). You can hear more room than with MK21.
And yes, MK2, as an omni brings rather more bass. When recording drums, I use MK2 with great results ...
For hearing MK2 pair in action you can listen to the samples I posted in the Pendulum and 44/96 threads

Should you like I can record and post some direct AB sample using a pair of MK2 and MK21. Which instrument do you like to hear ? (supposing I have it ...)

For hearing MK21 in action, I just found two experimental choir samples I did some time ago (just MK21 pair in simple NOS position):
choir1
choir2

[massimo]

They are both wonderful, and different.
The Mk21 is very noticeably brighter (it was designed with a hi fr bump), but in no way brittle. It is wonderful for close miking a classical guitar with no proximity effect and less room impact than an omni. The cardioid is - well - more intimate sounding, and perhaps a little bit louder output - at least subjectively.
Superb capsules
best regards
Massimo

[ISedlacek]

Originally Posted by massimo

They are both wonderful, and different.
The Mk21 is very noticeably brighter (it was designed with a hi fr bump), but in no way brittle.

Really ? I never noticed that. I always feel MK2 sounds a bit brighter than MK21 ..
MK4V has a particular slight HF boost

[massimo]

Oops, sorry
I have written a mix of plain wrong and inaccurate statements. Brilliant. I apologyze for that.
I was mistaking mk2 (omni) for mk4 (cardioid), and made no difference between mk21 and mk21H. To clarify: the capsules I own are mk4 and mk21H. Not surprisingly I find the latter to be (pleasantly) bright - it starts rising at 3kHz, is up 4dB at 7kHz, and up there it remains. That said, I stand by my considerations above, and find the two capsules eminently useful, and the equalization in the mk21H quite musical. You can always roll off some highs if you so desire, but take advantage of the clever pickup pattern and virtual lack of proximity effect.
Only, as I write this I realize I am going to be of no help to the original thread starter, as he wanted advise on two other capsules! My brain must have already been on Christmas holidays...
best regards
Massimo

[Jim vanBergen]

I have experienced wonderful results with both the MK2s and MK21. While there is a very subtle audible difference (maybe 3dB) in the bottom realm, this is not a problem- it's BARELY noticeable when you are trying to find it, and is easily compensated for by a decent EQ. For orchestra recordings, I love these as Decca outriggers. Aahhhh, Schoeps!

The subcardioid is a wonderful capsule and you won't regret buying them!

[bove]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

For hearing MK2 pair in action you can listen to the samples I posted in the Pendulum and 44/96 threads

Should you like I can record and post some direct AB sample using a pair of MK2 and MK21. Which instrument do you like to hear ? (supposing I have it ...)

For hearing MK21 in action, I just found two experimental choir samples I did some time ago (just MK21 pair in simple NOS position):
choir1
choir2

I really liked the samples you posted in the Pendulum thread, they sound awesome. Yes, I would love to hear a direct AB comparison between the MK2 and MK21. What instrument? From looking at your website, you don't appear to have too many low instruments in your collection... if you could play an instrument where we could hear frequencies in the 20-50hz range that would be ideal! Is that possible? I am also very familiar with western classical instruments such as the Violin or the Viola, so that would be nice too.

I will be recording music which will include a tuba... And while there are definitely a wide range of frequencies which make up the color of the tuba sound, some of it is in that extreme low range. (FYI: The low range of the tuba, in skilled hands, can exceed the low range of a grand piano by a few notes.) Notes as low as 40Hz are quite common, and Low “F” below the piano (21.8 Hz) is about the lower limit of what is possible.

[bove]

Originally Posted by ISedlacek

For hearing MK21 in action, I just found two experimental choir samples I did some time ago (just MK21 pair in simple NOS position)

Very nice... what is NOS position? And how far away from the group were the microphones? Was the reverb added afterwards, or is that the natural sound of the space?

[Recording David]

NOS - the mics are spaced 30cm apart at an angle of 90 degrees.

[Fran Guidry]

I haven't used the MK21, but I just did some fingerstyle guitar recording with a friend using my MK2 pair and a Jecklin disk. We thought the combination was magical. He's buying a pair ASAP.

Looking at the frequency response graphs the MK2 appears flat to 20hz, the MK21 starts to roll off around 100hz and is 2db down at 50hz.

Fran

[bove]

Originally Posted by massimo

Oops, sorry
Only, as I write this I realize I am going to be of no help to the original thread starter, as he wanted advise on two other capsules! My brain must have already been on Christmas holidays...
best regards
Massimo

Happy Holidays!

No problem, I am actually also strongly considering the MK4... although I did start this thread to find out the sonic difference between the MK2 and the MK21.

I don't currently have microphones of this quality level, and I am trying to learn as much as I can before I pick out a stereo pair. I was first thinking MK2, and after collecting info was advised to go MK4, and then MK21... luckily, I think I am going to be able to demo a few of these before I buy!

[TornadoTed]

I haven't tried any of the others but I've got a pair of Mk21 capsules and they are beautiful. I use them as a spaced pair above a drum kit, in ORTF for acoustic guitar or group backing vocals or mono on acoustic instruments and they ALWAYS sound so natural. They are the best mics I own, I can't recommend them highly enough.

[ISedlacek]

For guitar I prefer MK4V capsules. Slightly more focused and pronounced.