Has anybody gotten a chance to use this mic yet?

I've been intrigued by it & have been inquiring also.

Just came out in late DEC & I guess the jury is still out.
I believe there's a guy here on GS called Plush that owns one.

Yea I am very curios about this one. I kinda have high hopes that it will be a new and desirable flavor to add to the traditional choices. Hopefully there are enough users willing to share their thoughts.

https://gearspace.com/board/remote-p...oming-ibc.html

Just listened to samples here:

Schoeps V4 U Test

Gotta admit, I am a little disappointed after listening to these samples. There is something peaky in the upper mids (especially on the sung word "wondering") that I do not like for the sound that I go for. Reminds me of a U87 I sold 10 years ago....needed too much eq sculpting to work for me.

That's just initial thoughts. I need to hear more samples, or better yet live with one in my studio for a while.

Absolutely. That would be the only possible way.
At NAMM they had it and you could compare it to a CMC64 through headphones and that isn't either an appropriate environment.
Actually "liked" what was coming out of the MK4 capsule better.

Go to my soundcloud page (link below) and listen to the Francesco Cilea piece with mezzo and orchestra. The Schoeps V4U was positioned about 8 feet in front of this singer.

The mic is fantastic.

Don't insult yourself by making conclusions about a mic's sound from a sample clip posted in a recording mag however.

Don't insult yourself by making conclusions about a mic's sound from a sample clip posted in a recording mag however.[/QUOTE]

Who made a "conclusion"? Sure wasn't me.

I have had the chance to use the new V4 on loan to me for some vocal recording. The mic performed vary well for singing ADR (young male vocals) and was amazingly clear for some female voice-over work. For my taste, it was almost too clinical sounding for the VO recording.

The V4 is quite expensive (for my budget). My main mics are all Neumanns: U87, KM184, TLM 194 as well as various mid-range AT, Sennheiser, Shure, etc...

I plan to try the V4 this week on acoustic guitar and some other sources. This is my first experience with Schoeps, but I have been planning on picking up a CMC641 soon - mainly for acoustic guitar.

Side note: It looks really unique. I would say retro and futuristic at the some time.

yep.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Thanks for sharing the files! These are the most useful that I have heard so far to give a sense of the quality of this mic. Very nice!

Schoeps has posted a clip here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OADCt_JXdqQ

Bump! Any more users?

What would you like to know / discuss?

Hi!

I'll jump into the discussion.

Thanks for all your reviews! It matters to me to hear what professionals think about this mic! I would appreciate to hear your view on this mic for my voice and music projects. Unfortunately it's not available for me to try out where I live, although I could buy it and send it back if I'm not satisfied.

I'm considering buying the Schoeps V4 U mainly for recording my own voice in music I written on my own, which in style are pretty similar to disney classics (although piano focused), like this (where I'm singing): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9HSHoppiuJU

I'll be using a Universal audio Solo 610 and Warm audio Wa76 for recording voice, Roland Integra 7 as a one-channel audio interface which additionally will be used to add reverb in post-processing.

The reasons I'm considering the Schoeps V4 U are:

1. Everybody use more known brands and models, e.g. Neumann M149, and to succeed you need to sound different than the rest. Otherwise you'll at best reach their level, or more likely be a worse copy. If you record with a new type of "sound" you can fill a gap that has not been filled already.

2. I'm recording with a sE electronics space reflection filter at home with so far no other acoustic treatment. This means that I will have a lot of off-axis sound leakage going into the mic, from all reflections in the room. I've understood that the off-axis response of the Schoeps V4 U is much more natural sounding than large diaphragm mics resulting in a less unnatural recording, easier to include in the mix. It make it less necessary to be in a professional studio.

3. From hearing comparisons to other high-end mics on youtube I found the Schoeps more detailed and pleasing. (As previously linked: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gliZdC5izNo) Also the reviews from SOS and reddingaudio were positive.

From listening to classical recordings done by different mics I found the Schoeps brand in general to be most engaging. However when comparing the Miktek C5 to the Schoeps CMC64 in a comparison I found the Miktek C5 warmer and more pleasant on piano. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLpNUrwAk-k I've read that someone used it for vocals as well, although I haven't heard any samples. The Miktek C5 is much cheaper than the Schoeps V4 U (which in turn may sound different to the Schoeps CMC64), but I'm considering a matched pair of Miktek C5 to record my grand piano as well as vocals. However I probably can't afford both the Schoeps V4 U and a matched pair of Miktek C5. So the options are:

1. Buying the Schoeps V4 U to record vocals and as a room mic for the grand piano, using a (already owned) Zoom H6 stereo capsule for close-recording over the strings.

2. Buying a matched pair of Miktek C5 to record vocals as well as stereo close-micing over the grand piano strings, and the Zoom H6 stereo capsule as a room mic.

3. Buying something totally different.

Please add some thoughts to this!

Thankyou.

You're all over the map, playa.

The Schoeps V4 is very revealing and I cannot recommend it as a first time big league vocal mic. It is only made to be used on the best trained voices in the world.

It lays bare all the flaws in ones singing and it only offers, as does any very good mic, the sound of YOUR voice. It never offers a "different" sound from Neumann or AKG or anything else because it is picking up YOUR voice. It is not adding its own sound.

I recommend buying an inexpensive vocal mic as a first outing.
Then, after you have learned to approach and tame the mic as you sing in to it, and fit your voice into your mix, can later graduate to better and better mics.

Don't listen to internet microphone sounds. Only test the mics at your place and then reach your conclusions on your sources.

Really, in what way, playa?

Sure, I'm not trained as one of the best classical voices in the world, and the Neumann KMS105 is detailed enough to reveal aspects to improve, something I noticed and liked when going from Shure beta58, which was much more forgiving. However, I'm competent enough to please many audiences with my singing, which I know for a fact, and confident enough with my own voice not to look for a new microphone to sing for me, thank you! Instead a mic to add pleasing flavor for my particular voice, as well as detail to work with both in perfecting singing technique and post-processing.

Would be nice to know that I'm talking with a true professional. Do you have a link to any of your work? I'd love to hear it.

Hello Incognito,

I did read your entire first post to Gearslutz. You brought up many different topics in your post and seemed unsure of which way to go. Many others have the same dilemma that you do. The reason I said that you were all over the place had to do with all the subjects and topics you raised and your set of questions about the direction you should go.

My advice was simply to not choose a very revealing microphone like the Schoeps V4.

Your response is rude for a first time poster on Gearslutz.

Yes I am a recording pro in Chicago. Look in an earlier post of mine where I have a link to my Soundcloud page.

Well, I'm sorry if you perceived me rude, but I feel that's in the eye of the beholder. Maybe you should ask yourself if rudeness applies to any of your comments instead. Actually I'm looking for a mic optimal for professional recordings of primarily my voice, and rather buy something good once which will last a lifetime.

I'd be very interested in hearing serious comments about people using the V4 as their main (or even only) vocal mic.

I have lots of microphones and lots of years using them. What seems very appealing about the V4 is the basic design goal, a clean mic true to the source. I'm kind of done shooting out microphones to fit each and every voice... I want one that I confidently can put up on any singer knowing it will deliver a true representation of that particular voice.

I can always distort, mangle and screw it up later on. What i can't do is add what wasn't there in the capture.

I also like the fact that it is small and has no bulky PSU's and obsolete tubes to worry about. Also, the Schoeps capsules are in my experience with other microphones in their line very excellent.

Any users?

If you have the money always buy the best you can.

In my experience the cheap stuff you end up disappointed with and sell on at a big loss and the good stuff you simply never sell and you get decades of use out of it. It ends up being good value. Also the build quality is stellar so they just last longer and can actually be repaired unlike the cheapo stuff. If you have to sell it later also you'll get some return.

A great Mic like Schoeps will reveal all the flaws but I'd counter will push the performer to get better as they will really hear what's going on.

I'd love to try the V4u I have the M222 (701version) with a MK4 cap and I use it on vocals all the time. Recently at record Producers group meet I put it in the mix up against classic LDCs like a 251 the room was split but tilted towards the Schoeps. Even the guys (seasoned Producers) who preferred the 251 were surprised at the Schoeps I suspect they thought the LDC would walk it. It didn't.

So given the V4u is actually designed vocals for that I'd love to try it, Stick it through something good with a valve in it in the chain and I suspect you'll be onto a winner if my M222 experience is anything to go on.

As with most things of that price tag always try if you can before you buy.

Have fun and if you do get one I'd love to hear your thoughts.

One final thought the M222 I got in the late 90s it was my first expensive Mic it has required zero maintenance and being well looked after sounds as good today as it did then. It cost me about £1800 back then so £100 a year approximately for Mic I use ALL the time. Seems like excellent value to me.

There are a lot of great mics in that price range.
What seems most interesting to me is that the V4U has been on the market for quite some time and I've yet to see one come up for sale on the used market. To me, that indicates that either owners love them or there aren't many of them in use. Would be nice to know which.

Schoeps told me that they are a pretty small company, basically they make the blue color on request, and the grey one is not in stock in my country. However there are nothing but excellent reviews from buyers according to the Schoeps distributor in my country. I don't think it is marketed as hard as e.g. Neumann where I live, and a brand with a very narrow customer interest, mostly from critical classical recording.

It is an excellent mic for many uses besides vocal recording. It is a small diaphragm mic with special design features that give it the characteristics of a large diaphragm design. You can read about the mic in detail in the company's White Paper on their web site.

It has a presence boost but not one that sounds unnatural or treble-y. It is, as I mentioned, a very revealing mic. It picks up all attractive and unattractive aspects on the singer's voice.

Other instruments that are picked up in a flattering way are piano, winds, cello for example.

The reason classical recordists buy this mic is the same reason they buy any Schoeps mic. They want the sound pickup to be unadulterated with a true to life timbre.

Wow. I'm a little shocked. I've been using GS for years, mostly as a reader/lurker - rarely as a poster. In all my time here I have rarely encountered someone as rude and lacking in, shall we say, humility.

For what it's worth, I listened to your clips. I am a seasoned musician who sings and plays a number of instruments. I've been performing since I was a kid (40+ years) and teaching (including voice coaching) for almost two decades. I would first tell you you are not truly using your whole diaphragm; your high notes are pinched, not fully open and pitchy, as is your re-entry back into the lower register. My first advice would be damn the mics and find a vocal coach who does HAND ON instruction in true diaphragmatic breathing, which would involve you lying on the floor and doing multiple exercises breathing, humming and singing simple vowels.

My second response is this - if you come here asking for advice, take it GRACIOUSLY. Assume the position of someone who knows nothing, in order to fill your brain and soul with something.

My third thought is this - your focus on distinguishing yourself with your EQUIPMENT will do you nothing in this business. Concentrate instead on distinguishing yourself as an artist. This means not trying to be "better" than anyone but being the best YOU you can be. This will probably require a shift in your thinking.

And finally, I agree with the above posters; I would not suggest a very "transparent" condenser microphone as your first mic, particularly not a large diaphragm condenser (or a SDC that ACTS like a LDC as this Schoeps apparently does) - it will show everything, warts and all, pitch and all, thinness and all. Instead, I would be wrapping my pipes around every single good dynamic microphone made, doing test recordings and listening back later and making evaluations.

In this mix I would throw a vintage EV PL95, Shure 548, 546, SM54 or 53, EV RE15 or 16, Beyer m88, EV 635a (omni - you never know), etc.

If you're just DYING to get a LDC, try the AT 4000 series - 4047, 4033, Earthworks 20s or 30s or 40s, a vintage AKG 414 (not the new crap) and so on.

I have used all of these and can vouch for them. They are what I would reach for if you were in my studio, BEFORE reaching for my Neumann m149.

Just my two cents worth.
_____________________

However - I look forward to hearing MORE clips from the Shoeps V4U on more sound sources! Thanks, guys.

Want an exceptional mic? Got the money? Get your hands on an AT5040.

That's all.

Regards,

Ty Ford

Irrelevant discussion!

Then don't involve your singing or your personality. I appreciate your response, but I want to be sure you got my point. On this thread lurks some of the greatest engineers (and inventors and players and collectors) in the world of music and audio. You never know who is listening. I have absorbed some of the greatest advice and wisdom just by READING these forums... and didn't even register myself as a user until over a decade of using this forum to help me make selections in building my studio - and adding to my real life training under some great engineers.

So - in general, if one asks a question.. and one is given an answer... even if one does not LIKE the answer... try to handle it with grace and respect. Rather than making sure the score is "even" with zingers or snarkiness, just take the advice, say thank you, Private Message the person if you feel they were unfair to you - or even say something publicly, but do it in a polite way - without throwing back the negative stuff you (perceive) you have received. Remember - there is no tone in typing; the emotion we perceive from text is imprecise at best.

This kind of attitude, rather than what you gave someone above, will bode a lot better for you in this environment in the long run. Who knows; one of the great veterans here may chime in and dialogue with you. But they won't if they perceive an "attitude" - even if it is an "I must set the record straight" attitude. Truth is, there are times in life when it is a HIGHER spiritual calling to be slapped in the face and walk away with grace. One of the reasons I learn quickly is because father taught me a few things - "have respect for your elders; ask questions then zip your lips, open your ears and really hear the answers."

No hard feelings intended.
My best,
Dave

Irrelevant discussion!

Fantastic. Best of luck with that.
Eventually you may realize that your "success" as it were, is not guaranteed by your drive, or desire, or ego or even hard work...
but by a good bit of humility and kindness and Grace from God.

With that I will say... good luck.
: )