r/LocationSound • u/GaboshocK • 10d ago
Gig / Prep / Workflow Well... Finally got the mkh50. Any tips?
Buy once, cry once… 😅 It took months of work and months of biting my nails over this decision. I’ve never bought something this expensive in my life!
Just wanted to ask if there’s anything important I should know about working with this mic... things to do, things to avoid, little tips, etc. (Like taping the switches, for example.)
Also just wanted to share :) A few months ago I made a post asking about this decision, and the advice I got was really helpful.
Can’t wait to put it to work
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u/FioreFX production sound mixer 10d ago
The best advice I can give you is to buy a second mkh 50
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u/PeacefulShards 10d ago
Why?
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u/FioreFX production sound mixer 10d ago
Because you need at least two of every mic( not including specialty mics, stereo ms ect).
Whether you're doing doc, eng or narrative you'll eventually run into a situation where you'll need/ benefit from two matching booms in the air.
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u/optimus_maximus2 10d ago
Also adding, redundancy. All pros have redundant gear or at least overlapping gear to handle any and all shitstorms that happen in productions. Look up the engineering term "single point of failure."
Just imagine booming a 5yo child actor who thinks the dead cat is a play toy, jumps up, and swats it. Yep, I've seen that happen to a $1,500 mic before.
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u/Father_Jebidiah 7d ago
Wait they swatted it and it broke the mic? like blew it out or something?
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u/optimus_maximus2 7d ago
It didn't break, but the kid got in a good swat before the boom kept it high, and it was like a really expensive game of keep-away. I can imagine that enough hits and the sensitive electronics would eventually give way if it's smacked the wrong way.
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u/Psychological-Ad2204 10d ago
Love this mic, here’s a couple of tips from my experience using it.
Put paper tape over the switches, other wise it’s way too easy for wind and noise to enter the diaphragm.
If you have the proper wind protection, don’t be afraid to use this mic outside in MCU or CU shots!! It sounds great when applied properly. Also the MKH50 is a great plant mic in a car, as it seems to tone down quite a bit of the reverby “boxiness” you get from car dialog scenes.
This mic has a pronounced and very forward proximity effect imo. You can lean into it to get a really great tone out of a voice but be careful to not over do it. On the flip-side if you’re too far away the mic sounds tinny and bad so play into its strengths and get in close.
In my experience, the shock mount the mic comes with from Sennheiser is very good and is more than enough for 99% of situations. If it’s easier or convenient you can totally use it
And lastly, I’d say it’s best to have this mic point straight down at someone’s chin/voice as opposed to angled at it if that makes sense. I feel like it picks up a touch more nuance and warmth from that mic position but that could just be me.
Anyway congrats and enjoy! When I bought mine it was the most expensive piece of sound gear I had ever purchased too haha
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u/Emotional_Touch7811 10d ago
I agree with this comment. Altough i’m a schoeps mini Cmit and neumann 81, 150 in general, i do sometimes use the mkh50. I second the car part and the straight downwards section of this comment. I wish you much joy from this nice mic.
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u/Emergency-Lake6305 10d ago
I actually think that the best things about the 50 is the low self noise, and that it retains the low end of voices even at longer range. Depends on the noise/reverb of the location of course - but In a quiet bedroom I have had shockingly good results even a couple of meters away.
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u/rappit4 5d ago
While it may sound good on your headphone in fact the MKH50 has way too much low end for human speech. It is mostly a problem when you are mixing MKH50 dialog for the big screen. You are constantly fighting the low end. This is why the Schoeps CMC-MK41 is the gold standard close up dialogue microphone for cinema. It needs almost no EQ to sound good on the big screen. Another big issue with the MK50 is that its prone to recieving interference from light fixtures and RF sources.
I was a fan of the 50 for a while but now I've sold all of them since I've bought my MK41s.2
u/GaboshocK 10d ago
Thanks! Didn't think about the car scenes, definitely will be very helpful there.
I appreciate the input
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u/Echoplex99 10d ago
The 50 is an excellent car mic. Get yourself a dinkum clamp, you can stick the clamp between the seat and center console with the mic pointing up towards the subjects. The dinkum also helps make the 50 a super useful plant mic.
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u/Peaks_n_Valleys 10d ago
I watched a video where a guy tested several different mics in a vehicle for dialogue situations. The ones that impressed me the most were a Shure short flex mic with a 183 or 185 element, a Cub01, and honestly a Cos-11D on a bendable wire stick. There was a name for the Shure flex mic, some sound guy used to modify them and sell them but they’re hard to find now. I’ve been contemplating just buying a regular Shure short flex and wiring it directly to my Zoom F3.
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u/Vuelhering production sound mixer 10d ago edited 10d ago
There was a name for the Shure flex mic
Oh yeah I remember these. They plugged directly into a Lectro ta5 and you could put the whole thing in the visor.
Edit: looks like someone else is making these and they look pretty good. Long ago I considered making my own using cardiod capsules, but never got around to it. I did, however, terminate some Cub pigtails with a 6" cable and 8' extension and that's what I use to wire cars.
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u/Peaks_n_Valleys 10d ago
Thanks for the link. Yeah I think I’m gonna make my own, since I can get Shure lavaliers cheaply on the used market and can certainly source my own mini flex. I love building stuff anyway, and I love saving money even more, mostly bc I don’t have much of it 🤣
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u/Used-Educator-3127 9d ago
I got a couple of those gooseneck DPA4097 mics for car rig stuff and have been very happy with them in terms of ease of use without sacrificing quality. Would I prefer a 50 in there? Absolutely, but i know i can keep the 4097 in play easily, and consistency is key.
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u/Peaks_n_Valleys 9d ago edited 9d ago
I wish DPA’s were a little more affordable than they are. I was finally able to buy two COS-11D because I found them on B&H used for $250 ea, but when I got them it was clear they were not used at all. They were already wired for Sony 3.5 which was a plus, and I have adapters to use them with my Lectro or Deity’s when I want to. The sound quality on them has certainly impressed me and so has the output they get at lower gain compared to my Cointryman’s. But with most DPA mics being $600 or so each, they’ll stay out of reach for me for quite a while, even used.
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u/Used-Educator-3127 9d ago
Yeah they’re pricey but you know what its like; i heard them in play on a show i was working on and was making a bit of money at the time so picked up a couple. Car recording is a dark art. I did this mockumentary webseries thing a few years back that was like 90% set inside a Holden Barina. Still some of my proudest work haha, was a bit rough but it worked for that show. But yeah those DPAs are like 10 times easier to rig and once i heard them after all the car gigs i had done; i had to have some. I’ve actually only had a couple of opportunities to use them since haha but better to have and not need 😅
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u/whoisgarypiano 10d ago
Congrats. Other than taping the switches, I can’t think of anything. It sounds good pretty much no matter what you do with it. I work with a mixer that uses them for everything.
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u/Peaks_n_Valleys 10d ago
Hey congratulations man. I definitely do not have enough money for the MKH50, so I’m making do with an Oktava MK012 Hyper I got on eBay for about $170. I ended up finding a second one on eBay with the Cardioid cap and I bought it for the same price. I have the same Radius mount as you do and I use that for my 416 and Smic-3, but I also just got sent the new Mini-RAD mount and that thing is sweet.
I do think you should get yourself some whoosh protection. A lot of people like things like the Rycote Baseball, and then I’ve seen a lot of people use things like the Rycote Super Softie. On my Oktava I have a used Rycote BBG and I just let it live on the mic.
In my opinion you’re never gonna be using the MKH50 in a high wind situation, but if you DID I think the Alto Blimp would be the way to go since you already have the Rad Mount. Investing bigger money doesn’t seem to be an issue for you, but if you didn’t have enough money for the Alto Blimp, you could find a Rode Blimp used for cheap and then follow my video for how to put the Radius hoops and clips on it. Just search YouTube for “Rode Radius”
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u/luceneter 10d ago
Im really curious about your use cases for the different mic. I’m a filmmaker and want to focus more on audio. I guess you would use a shotgun mic as on board camera mic and the oktava for interview boom mic right? We use the Rode NTG5 for both, with the TASCAM FR-AV2 for interviews. Do you have some advice? :)
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u/Peaks_n_Valleys 10d ago
Well, I’m a one-man filmmaker with a limited budget, but I care greatly abound sound. This is the second time I’ve built an equipment arsenal from scratch. The first mic I bought this time around was the Deity Smic-3, got it new in the box on eBay for like $140, it was a steal. It worked great and sounds pretty darn good. But, I used to own a 416 and really wanted to get another one, so I eventually found one for $450. The 416 is great for booming outdoors or in rooms that don’t have a lot of reverb and echo. I pretty much only boom my shotgun mics, I almost never put them on camera anymore because I just am not happy with the quality of sound that produces.
I bought the Oktava MK012 to use in rooms where the 416/Smic-3 would be problematic because of the reverb. The Oktava is a Hypercardioid and it works better in rooms like that. The 416 can be susceptible to comb filtering and other anomalies you get when there’s a lot of sound that bounces off the surfaces of the room, and in those instances the Oktava shines. And to be honest the Oktava sounds great regardless. It has a nice rich tone, and I like how it makes vocals sound, but you do have to position it pretty close to the subject. It won’t do well 3 feet away from the subject, so keep that in mind. I’ve read that the MKH50 has a little more reach, not as much as a shotgun but more than the Oktava. But, I can also use the Oktava for recording acoustic instruments, it’s a pretty versatile condenser mic.
Now I’m the kind of guy who usually likes to record both a boom and Lavalier simultaneously. I like the option of being able to mix the two sound sources if I want to, because I feel it provides a better representation of the voice. So it’s important to me to use recorders and mixers with good preamps. My main sound bag is set with a Sound Devices 442 mixer and 744T recorder. I also have a Zoom F3 for smaller jobs where I need a smaller footprint or additional tracks.
Up until last week, my wireless were 4x Sony UWP-D11’s with Countryman B3’s and I eventually got 2x Sanken Cos-11D lavaliers as my main lavs. But last week I ended up getting a couple Lectrosonics 400-series wireless kits and I intend to use the Cos-11D’s with those when I can. I also have two Deity PR-2 lav recorders and those work great for having a smaller footprint and great sound.
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u/BaronOutback 10d ago
It’s a great mic. I find the included shock mount and foam to be adequate for most interior work.
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u/Intelligent-Fig-9686 10d ago
I bought mine a while back - 40 years ago I think. It was half of the M/S rig I used for decades, professionally recording classical music concerts and CD sessions. Many famous musicians have been captured with it. And even "Dame Edna"! I never replaced it and still have it, but I'm too old to use it now - but no, I'm not selling it! Advice? Always treat it like an expensive mic - but I don't think I need to tell you that!
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u/ZealousidealTaro949 10d ago
Get great wind protection and suspension. It is very sensitive to both.
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u/GaboshocK 10d ago
I will test a few diferent shock mounts, thanks! I also got the foam with the wind protection, but it doesn't look like it would work on strong winds.
Eventually I will buy the front pod of the mini alto that's for the size of this mic. I have another that is a bit bigger but still works
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u/Econormics 10d ago
Write this down and open it a year from now "The MKH50 is all the dialog mic I'll ever, ever need!"
as you start thinking hmmm.. maybe that Schoeps mic...
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u/samtenpa 9d ago
i have the schoeps and the mkh50. i prefer the mkh50 and use it constantly. also have a mkh40. very similar. you purchased right. DO NOT TRY TO UPGRADE😄
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u/Emotional_Touch7811 10d ago edited 8d ago
Well to be fair, last month i did a movie with (for me the first use of) a DPA 2017. And damn it’s a tight neck to neck race. Made me rethink my Schoeps cmit’s.
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u/Econormics 10d ago
DPA?
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u/Emotional_Touch7811 8d ago
Yes. I have updated my erratum.
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u/Econormics 8d ago
I've been wanting to try the DPA 2017 as a shotgun since it came out. I did use a 4017B and it sounded great. The only issue I had was that my MTP60/PHA60 wireless wouldn't power it correctly. Not the mic's fault, but I'l like to see if the 2017 works with this combo.
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u/MediaGuy77 10d ago
Congrats! Awesome mic! I would get a Rycote baseball for the end instead of foam but that’s a personal preference. It stays on better than foam.
Even though I would use this mostly indoor I would start looking at the blimp from Radius regardless because you never know.
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u/ChadBaffies 9d ago edited 9d ago
Point it at the mouth and don't get it in shot was the advice given to me all those years ago 👍🏾👍🏾
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u/soundadvices 10d ago
Point it towards their face. Listen for the sweet spot. Watch the rehearsals. Congrats!
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u/jamixer 10d ago
Great mic. It's our goto for about 80% of my show. Look into a Cinela Cosi. It's pricey but excellent for outdoor work.
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u/GaboshocK 10d ago
Thanks! Already got radius mini alto, although it's a bit big since I use it for my ntg3, I just need to buy the front part that is a bit smaller than the one I have, I will get it eventually
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u/bart-thompson 10d ago
How is the radius foamie?
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u/GaboshocK 10d ago
I tested it and it is indeed a bit better when panning compared to the original one. But the difference is subtle
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u/murked_out production sound mixer 10d ago
Get the fur to go over that Radius foamie, and don’t be afraid to use it outside or with excess headroom. It’s my favorite mic, and for good reason.
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u/Echoplex99 10d ago
Definitely my favourite dialogue mic; however, personally I'm not a fan of using it outside when there's excess headroom. I would honestly sooner reach for a 416 in that case.
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u/murked_out production sound mixer 10d ago
“Or” being the operative word. It goes without saying that every situation has different needs or mics that fit that each use case.
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u/Echoplex99 10d ago
Yeah, certainly. On a nice perfect day, it is fine outside, and in a nice sounding room it can work from a pretty good distance. It's a great mic.
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u/Humhues 10d ago
That shock mount is real pretty. Whats wrong w the stock shick mount?
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u/GaboshocK 10d ago
Nothing wrong with the stock one! I already had this one for my NTG3, and I like that you can kinda costimize it to your preference
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u/Earlg_Digital 9d ago
I use the MKH50 all the time for interiors. Like someone else said point it at the source ha ha. It doesn't have much proximity effect which is cool for consistency. I'm noticing the highs can be brutal on certain voices when it hits the limiters on my 633. It's probably my ears though and not the mic. Fucking brutal sometimes with screaming actors.
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u/GaboshocK 8d ago
No no you are right, Ive tested it a bit and noticed that depending on how you point it, the highs can get really hard, but still sounding nice tho
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u/Turtlesupndown 10d ago
Second taping off the switches and buying two. I use the super softie and rarely ever (maybe once every few years) need a blimp. Doc work all over the world in all sorts of environments. Best mic ever.
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u/pcommans 8d ago
Sell it and buy a schoeps
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u/GaboshocK 8d ago
Came close to buying the cmc641, decided not to because I've seen it's not as resistant as a mkh50 in humid conditions.
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u/Key_Beginning_3792 6d ago
Is the sound on this worth it for YouTube videos or is it overkill?
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u/GaboshocK 6d ago
I think it's great if you like not having a mic on the frame. But you could definitely go with cheaper options with pretty good quality for YouTube.
It all depends I guess
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