Small Diaphragm Condenser (Capacitor?) mic on operatic voices?

[twotoedsloth]

I was recording an opera student this morning, using a Neumann TLM 193 for voice and two DPA 4006s in the piano.

The singer asked why I wasn't using a small diaphragm condenser on him, specifically another DPA 4006. Unfortunately I had no good answer except that the TLM 193 sounds really nice on classical voice.

I've never seen someone record an opera singer with a SDC, is there a reason for this?

[Hugh Robjohns]

You haven't looked around enough! Schoeps mics are often used for this application, as are Neumanns (KM100 series in particular). In staged performances, small diaphgram mics tend to be the norm to minimise sight-line intrusions.

H

[twotoedsloth]

Well... I have a baritone coming in this afternoon. I have pairs of KM-84s, KM 184s and KM 183s, as well as cardioid Schoeps CMC 6. I'll give the KM183s and CMC 6s a go today.

Thanks,

Peter

[twotoedsloth]

In the end we used a Schoeps CMC6 cardioid and an AKG 414 figure 8 in MS.

It sounded pretty good to me.

[Hugh Robjohns]

H