Using schoeps mk21s on three vocalists in a small room

Doozer · 26th September 2006, 10:31 PM

I have a potential recording project coming up that I would like to get feedback on from some of you with similar experience. I have three female vocalists who sing harmony together, what I want to try instead of separate mics is: use my Schoeps MK21 stereo pair in ORTF configuration. The setup will be in a small dry room and I was thinking to distance the trio about 3 to 4 feet from the MK21s. I will address the dry room with a convolution reverb in the mixdown. I have used the MK21s and was always pleased with the results, but always on location in a nice hall or church sanctuary, my concern is the dry room.

pkautzsch · 26th September 2006, 10:59 PM

The MK21 is a mic I like very much. But I'm not sure if I'd use it in your situation.
I don't think the main concern here is the *dry* room, but rather that it's a *small* room. It is quite difficult to eliminate First Reflections strongly enough with 3ft distance - that being said, I *do* think that 3ft or more is needed for an illusion of naturalness. But this illusion is produced by real-world reflections, and these make up the impression of the room's size.
So if you don't want them to sound like in a small room, you probably have to be quite close and "pop music like". Don't know how the MK21 behaves in close-miking.
In a larger room with usable natural reverb, I'd probably go for the MK21.

Jim vanBergen · 27th September 2006, 01:14 AM

I think the MK21 will do nicely in that application, but I'd be very concerned about the primary reflection. Get the baffles & sound blankets ready!

if it were a bigger room, I'd start at 6'. But hey, it never hurts to TRY!

Don S · 27th September 2006, 01:08 PM

ORTF (modified for the mk21) will sound a bit wide for what you're going for. Try closing up the pair to 90 degrees and 10 inches or so. I think the MK21s sound amazing close up. Apparently the "Josh Groben" sound is a single MK4!

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26th September 2006, 10:31 PM	#1
Doozer Gear Head Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 32	Using schoeps mk21s on three vocalists in a small room I have a potential recording project coming up that I would like to get feedback on from some of you with similar experience. I have three female vocalists who sing harmony together, what I want to try instead of separate mics is: use my Schoeps MK21 stereo pair in ORTF configuration. The setup will be in a small dry room and I was thinking to distance the trio about 3 to 4 feet from the MK21s. I will address the dry room with a convolution reverb in the mixdown. I have used the MK21s and was always pleased with the results, but always on location in a nice hall or church sanctuary, my concern is the dry room.

26th September 2006, 10:59 PM	#2
pkautzsch Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 982	The MK21 is a mic I like very much. But I'm not sure if I'd use it in your situation. I don't think the main concern here is the dry room, but rather that it's a small room. It is quite difficult to eliminate First Reflections strongly enough with 3ft distance - that being said, I do think that 3ft or more is needed for an illusion of naturalness. But this illusion is produced by real-world reflections, and these make up the impression of the room's size. So if you don't want them to sound like in a small room, you probably have to be quite close and "pop music like". Don't know how the MK21 behaves in close-miking. In a larger room with usable natural reverb, I'd probably go for the MK21. __________________ Microphones always make me sound louder and better! -- Guitar Girl

27th September 2006, 01:08 PM	#4
Don S Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 623	ORTF (modified for the mk21) will sound a bit wide for what you're going for. Try closing up the pair to 90 degrees and 10 inches or so. I think the MK21s sound amazing close up. Apparently the "Josh Groben" sound is a single MK4! __________________ www.symphonicsound.com

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27th September 2006, 01:14 AM	#3
Jim vanBergen Lives for gear Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: New York Friggin' City Posts: 2,235	I think the MK21 will do nicely in that application, but I'd be very concerned about the primary reflection. Get the baffles & sound blankets ready! if it were a bigger room, I'd start at 6'. But hey, it never hurts to TRY!