Max Hirtenstein Posted May 31, 2012 Report Share Posted May 31, 2012 These two seem to go for a similar price used, whereas an MKH50 holds most of its value. I'm leaning away from the Schoeps because I've heard of RF trouble with the CMC4 and I believe it's T-power only. But then again it's a Schoeps... I can't find too much info on the MKH40 here and would love some opinions on its usefulness for interviews and interior booming, in contrast to the MKH50. How's the reach? Pickup pattern too wide to be useful on set? Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundslikejustin Posted May 31, 2012 Report Share Posted May 31, 2012 There is so much info on both these mics on this site and many like it that it's not funny. Both the Mkh40/50 and the MK41 are brilliant mics. If you were to go the schoeps route, I'd suggest a cmc6, as they are more resilient to rf noise (ballasts, video TX's, zaxcom TX's etc). Do a bit of searching, but more importantly, get access to both mics and listen to them. FWIW, the pattern of the MKH40 is closer in 'width' to that of the mk41 than the 50 is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Hirtenstein Posted May 31, 2012 Author Report Share Posted May 31, 2012 there's plenty of info here on the mkh50, the mkh40- not so much. FWIW, the pattern of the MKH40 is closer in 'width' to that of the mk41 than the 50 is. shorter reach though? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundslikejustin Posted May 31, 2012 Report Share Posted May 31, 2012 I think both mics are about equal in term of 'reach' (which is very hard to quantify by the way). My definition is based on a quality of sound as the mic gets further from the source, not on rejection characteristics. Obviously the 50/40 and mk41 reject from different directions, but I feel they have a similar operating range. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 Both great mikes. This is a BMW vs. Mercedes comparison (also both German). The MKH40 typically sells for about $500 less, if that's a consideration. I own both, use them all the time, but usually go for the Sennheiser if I think we're going to be in more hazardous situations. If we're in a studio and things are fairly controlled and predictable, I'll go for the Schoeps every time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Max Hirtenstein Posted June 1, 2012 Author Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 thanks guys. i guess my question now would be- if I go for the mkh40, will i wind up wishing i got the mkh50 instead? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundslikejustin Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 I can't answer that for you. I have both the 40 and 50, as well as a pair of 8040's and a single 8050. They all get used under different circumstances. The one that lives on my boom pole the most is probably the 50. Stick around for Marc's response... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marc Wielage Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 I agree, I use the 50 more than the 40. But Glen Trew gets great results with the MKH40. It'd be interesting if somebody did a high-quality Vimeo or YouTube video that compares all 3 mikes -- MKH40, MKH50, and CMC641 -- with the same material, shot in identical places at the same time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisH Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 I would say yes because a 40 is hard to use in anything but very quiet locations. The 50 with wind protection can still be used outside or in larger spaces. It's tighter pattern keeps just a bit more ambient noise out making it more versatile. And on that note I would vear away from the schoeps unless you get the cmc-6, get the 41 capsule then buy a new cmc-6. Not only is cmc4 t power ( which I think is inherently noisier than phantom) they are notoriously susceptible to rf and moisture. It is great if your working only in the studio and you can listen to it before buying it and make sure it's not noisy. Again for music it would be great but when you start transmitting rf you might find yourself in trouble. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregd Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 Just buy all of them, you can't go wrong Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonathan chiles Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 I say get a new MKH50, a very versatile and amazing sounding mic that you'll always have in your kit, you will never regret that purchase. Later on you will probably want to have the Schoeps as well and they are both awesome, the 50 is just more rugged and can take knocks and humidity/moisture better I think. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VASI Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 Just buy all of them, you can't go wrong Are you a bank? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundslikejustin Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 Are you a bank? with 0% interest? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gregd Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 Yeah no interest.. Just buy the mic Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ncsoundmixer Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 The MKh-50 has a greater working distance than the 40. I.e..u can live with a looser frame as opposed to the 40, which would need to be closer to talent to sound equivalently close. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Michiel Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 The Schoeps sounds better (more natural and detailed) than the Sennheiser but it's hard to notice (but do get the CMC6 preamp). The Sennheiser has much less noise which is great for quiet (indoor) scenes (whispering or not talking at all). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted June 1, 2012 Report Share Posted June 1, 2012 I have a whole collection of Schoeps and I haven't noticed the CMC4 as being any noiser than either the CMC5 or CMC6 (newer 6 model with improved RF resistance), or sounding any different. I also haven't had RF issues, but I make it a practice not to strap myself next to broadcast transmitters any more than I have to. Sometime I'll do a test specifically looking for differences to see if any reveal themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soundtrane Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 confirmed MKH50 user here, got two of them for indoors. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nima Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 The Schoeps sounds better (more natural and detailed) than the Sennheiser but it's hard to notice (but do get the CMC6 preamp). The Sennheiser has much less noise which is great for quiet (indoor) scenes (whispering or not talking at all). I was 100% decided on buying the CMC641, I'm gonna have to go into the store and try them all (MKH50, MKH8050, MKH8040, MKH40, and CMC641). Most of what I do requires quiet backgrounds, and full focus on the person talking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stacysound Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 If someone blindfolded you, you probably couldn't tell the difference between the 3. If I were buying, I'd go MKH50. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ProSound Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 MKH-50 for me Good price point great inside and good outside with proper wind protection as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimPitot Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 I have a 50 and it lives on my pole most of the time. Curious to try an 8050 though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted June 2, 2012 Report Share Posted June 2, 2012 Between the MKH50 and CMC641: If you're going to leave the mic in your car overnight during really humid conditions, then get the 50 and live happily. If you can keep it under more controlled conditions, then pick whichever one sounds best to you and live happily. As far as noise, I've never noticed any of my Schoeps as having objectionable self-noise. However, if you're mostly in a studio with extremely well controlled acoustics and talent has a really soft voice, you'd notice a bit of difference -- either would still be suitable, though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen Trew Posted June 3, 2012 Report Share Posted June 3, 2012 If you like the pattern of the Schoeps MK41, but want some of the properties of the Sennheiser 8000 line, then the choice is for the 8040. The 8050 is tighter, less forgiving with a sharper on-axis, off-axis transition. gt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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