From: "Rich Peet" <>
>
> I second Robs contributions and I will never be the one to say a mkh
> is a beginners mic. His work has helped me along more than I can say.
Beginners vary a lot, so I'd not say something so absolute. I've worked
with quite a few beginners who had the means to buy whatever they
wanted, and did not want to do the usual step system of buy and replace.
For them, the MKH should definitely be considered, leaving it out of
discussion is a crime. If a beginner is in that boat, it's actually a
bigger challenge to advise them than just pointing them at a inexpensive
MD and a cheap mic.
A high quality mic makes it so much easier to get good recordings. One
could say that beginners should suffer first before having it easy. But
I don't believe that. A beginner can use a MKH just as easily as a lower
quality mic, there is nothing magical to learn. Either mic will take the
same learning. But quality results from the beginning will help keep
interest up. Many beginners give up when they cannot produce recordings
like the pro CD's they listen to. While it's not the only cause, buying
too low on the quality scale is often part of that.
For a beginner considering jumping straight into expensive equipment, my
question has to do with commitment. They have to look into themselves
and ask if nature recording is going to be a long term commitment for
them, or if it's just a passing fancy, or something casual that they
will do while really being interested in something else. If one is
certain that they are in it for the long haul, then the cost of MKH mics
will be covered over a very long period of use.
They should also ask what quality of sound is their goal. I know the
reply from a good many, pro CD quality.
It's a bit funny, because there seems to be no qualms about recommending
the highly expensive Sound Devices recorders to beginners. Then limiting
the mic recommending to cheap or lower end options is not at all
balanced. Tell the beginner about the full range of mic options if you
are going to do it for recorders.
It's also important when telling a beginner about the latest mic that
folks are salivating over that there is no or little track record for
the mic. Buying it is a risk. You are asking a beginner to take a risk
often to be your test case. In comparison you can tell a beginner that
MKH mics have been used for all kinds of nature recording in all kinds
of outdoor conditions all over the world and been extremely reliable.
They produce excellent recordings with little or no worry from the
recordist. This has been going on for 40 years or so. If you want the
risk free solution to high quality mic choice for nature recording it's
clearly the MKH.
A MKH is not a beginners mic, it's a mic that works for everybody from
beginner to pro. Anyone can use one and benefit from it's abilities, no
permission from the pro's needed.
Walt
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