Upgrading Avantone CK-1 to Sennheiser MKH50

[swaneon]

I currently have an avantone ck-1 and am thinking of upgrading to the Sennheiser MKH-50 (wanted schoeps but I live in Seattle---humidity can be a problem).

I have a mix pre d + marantz 661 that I'd connect the mic to.

The main reason is that the avantone does not have a good reach--i find that it needs to be fairly close to the subject and considering i film, I'd prefer it to be further away in interior shots. I have a rode ntg3 for outdoor use.

[Malcolm Davies Amps CAS]

I currently have an avantone ck-1 and am thinking of upgrading to the Sennheiser MKH-50 (wanted schoeps but I live in Seattle---humidity can be a problem).I have a mix pre d + marantz 661 that I'd connect the mic to.The main reason is that the avantone does not have a good reach--i find that it needs to be fairly close to the subject and considering i film, I'd prefer it to be further away in interior shots. I have a rode ntg3 for outdoor use.

Is this humidity thing with modern Schoeps peculiar to the US?

I've been using 41's ccm's and cmit5U since the early 1990's and I haven't lost one shot through humidity whereas a colleague using some old Colette mics has no end of problems even here in the UK.

Malcolm Davies. A.m.p.s

[swaneon]

Is this humidity thing with modern Schoeps peculiar to the US?

I've been using 41's ccm's and cmit5U since the early 1990's and I haven't lost one shot through humidity whereas a colleague using some old Colette mics has no end of problems even here in the UK.

Malcolm Davies. A.m.p.s

im not sure---i've just heard about it from others. I'd like a hyper schoeps myself.

would either one of these provide a better range than the avantone?

thank you!

[Eric Toline]

I'm pretty sure the Sennheiser MKH 50 is the Long Ranger of the trio. Humidity & RF wise it's virtually bullet proof.

 

 

Eric

[Dan Ostroff]

Here is a note regarding Schoeps in humidity from Redding (US distributor of Schoeps). Seems like an acknowledged issue with some recommended maintenance if it happens.

http://www.reddingaudio.com/downloads/Schoeps%20Technical/Schoeps%20Basic%20Care%20Mics%20-%20Hmty.pdf

[Constantin]

Yes, and as far as I know, it's only an issue with the modular series (Colette). But it does semm to have spoiled Schoeps' reputation when it comes to humidity.

[Constantin]

In terms of "reach", I doubt any of those mics will be doing what you're after, even if one may have a bit more reach than the other

[swaneon]

something about 2-3 feet should work

 

then i'd use a lab

[Mark]

I have been using a cmit and ccm41 in humid conditions and am yet to have issues.

However I also carry a sennheiser 416 as a standby. The amount of crap they can deal with is outstanding, and it can go where I am afraid to put the schoeps.

[Rick Reineke]

If you can't get close enough with an Avantone, the MKH50 will not make a 'night and day' difference. I would suggest a hidden lav or recording wild take/lines...  if that's possible. Consult with 1st AD. Additionally, dialog editors often use sound from a close-up take. again if possible.

[RPSharman]

Reach on the 50 is remarkable, and not just in acoustically superior, quiet locations.

Just today, 'b' cam tilted up and reached for one character approaching while 'a' held a tighter shot of the seated actor. Not planned, mind you. Boom op compensated for headroom, quietest line of the scene, and it recorded beautifully. Noisy location too.

[studiomprd]

" am thinking of upgrading to the Sennheiser MKH-50 "

I don't really see a question in the OP...

but from a $150 to an ~$1k mic would be an upgrade...

there is the rule:

generally speaking, you get what you pay for.

[swaneon]

" am thinking of upgrading to the Sennheiser MKH-50 "

I don't really see a question in the OP...

but from a $150 to an ~$1k mic would be an upgrade...

there is the rule:

generally speaking, you get what you pay for.

definitely

 

it seems that the sensitivity of the mkh50 is almost 2x the avantone

 

but then there are great deals on the CS3 (which I've heard is usable indoors also, not as well as the mkh50 but very good for a shotgun) and that sensitivity is 2x the mkh50.

[Constantin]

Swaneon, you really seem unsure of what mic you need. Just rent all the contenders, try them thouroughly, preferably on an actual production, and you'll know which mic is for you. We can throw mics at you all day, but it's not gonna help you

[swaneon]

Swaneon, you really seem unsure of what mic you need. Just rent all the contenders, try them thouroughly, preferably on an actual production, and you'll know which mic is for you. We can throw mics at you all day, but it's not gonna help you

i'll try and do that

i'm not sure if there's a local shop that does that but i'll look around

[studiomprd]

" it seems that the sensitivity of the mkh50 is almost 2x the avantone "

I fear you are getting too hung up on spec's...

(and that is close to my golfer/golf clubs Senatorium)

you may have noticed in your other topic, no one has mentioned anything at all about the spec's you seem concerned with...

[Constantin]

i'll try and do that

i'm not sure if there's a local shop that does that but i'll look around

Usually you can do this by mail-order, too

[Marc Wielage]

Another Senatorium -- "You generally get what you pay for" -- is often true. The Avantone is a $149 Chinese mic. I don't think it's going to compare with a Sennheiser MKH50 that sells for about $1000 more. 

 

I think the best advice is: rent one and try it for yourself.

[watsonwu]

For reach I use my 82i as well as my 418s. The NTG8 also does well, just not great for high SPL stuff like firearms and explosions.

[Jaymz]

definitely

 

it seems that the sensitivity of the mkh50 is almost 2x the avantone

 

but then there are great deals on the CS3 (which I've heard is usable indoors also, not as well as the mkh50 but very good for a shotgun) and that sensitivity is 2x the mkh50.

 

Don't concern yourself with sensitivity, there's many other reasons why the MKH50 is a superior mic (smoother response, lower self-noise, lighter weight). Yes, mics with low sensitivity need more gain, but with high-end preamps (SD, Zaxcom, Nagra, etc) this is not an issue. You'll hear the noise floor of the mic before the noise floor of these preamps. The CMIT 5 U has low sensitivity and needs a lot of gain, yet it's a favourite among many due to its sound, light-weight, and off-axis response.

 

Also, sensitivity has nothing to do with reach. Reach is a perception based on directionality of the mic and its response (to a lesser extent).

[Rick Reineke]

As I recall the Avantone CK-1 output spec is 15mV, which ain't bad, while the Oktava 012 and Neumann KM84 are around 10mV.. they sound OK with good preamp.

 

but again, specs don't tell the whole story