Wacko! Thanks for the link Simmo. I wish I was going to AES to hear these and the new Nagra VI. Lots of exciting stuff. About time, things haven't changed much in ProAudio in the last 7 years.

I like this concept very much. The same capsule can be mounted on either an analog or digital body - buy now, upgrade later, use whichever is appropriate for the job.

I wonder if the capsules represent any improvement over the existing MKH capsules? Not that they need to; they are already among the quietest microphones available. Combining such low self-noise with a digital preamp body could be quite fantastic.

I wonder when they'll hit the market? And how much?

$299 at GC. :P

Wait...let me get this right.

Sennheiser releases a new "revolutionary" series of microphones set to change the world and includes features like:
- Detachable and interchangable capsules
- A collection of active accessories to go between capsule and amplifier body
- A matte-gray texture painted body
- Possibility of different powering bodies including Analog/P48 and Digital/AES42
- Low-noise, acoustically transparent, aimed at classical music recording........

Hmmmmmm....I can't put my finger on it, but something sounds vaguely familiar about this. Are they calling this series of modular microphones the "Nicollette" series?

I think the whole RF/BJT idea is new, is it not?

not.

Cucco wrote: Hmmmmmm....I can't put my finger on it, but something sounds vaguely familiar about this.

You're right, of course. There's nothing new or revolutionary here when considered in isolation. But the combination of a low noise RF condenser with a digital amplifier body is unique: one of the quietest capsule technologies available, combined with one of the quietest amplification methods available.

For people interested in very low noise recording, this will be of great interest...

Yeah...I know. I was actually attempting sarcasm. I'm glad to see Sennheiser moving in this direction. A few reasons I don't own any MHKs is:
1 - I generally don't care for the sound (I find them dull and glossy - sort of apathetic)
2 - I don't like the idea of active equalization regardless of where it takes place
3 - They're not modular. I LOVE Schoeps and I think their modular capsule idea is friggin brilliant.

Perhaps Sennheiser will take the hint from Schoeps and start offering bodies and caps seperately.

As for the noise issue - I can understand where you're coming from, but the Schoeps and DPA stuff is pretty quiet as it is. For orchestral work, I rarely find that the microphone (or preamp) are causes for noise concern. Even in the quietest of halls, I just don't find it being that much of an issue. And recordings devoid of noise (often done so with noise reduction tools) sound eerie to me.

Anyway - yes - I'm glad to see Senn making an attempt. I will just watch with bitter skepticism and make the assumption that this "development" was driven more by the company's lookout for the bottom line and their realization that "new toys" equate to gear sluts across the world will be "needing" these new "revolutionary" mics. Meanwhile, I'll sit on my Schoeps, Gefells and Beyer/Royer ribbons contently collecting a paycheck (albeit small) from my studio instead of throwing it into even MORE new mics.

Cheers!

Jeremy

I don't think that the Sennheisers sound worse than DPA
or Schoeps. Each has different and particular sound qualities
that can either work well on a particular recording or not seem
appropriate. Schoeps can sound nasal and vieled, but on an
Elgar cello concerto that could translate into a refined and beautiful
sounding recording. Sennheisers can subtly intensify and/or
brighten up a recording, and have a particular, interesting, hard to
describe signature.

Cucco wrote: I generally don't care for the sound (I find them dull and glossy - sort of apathetic)

I don't own any either, for similar reasons. I have always found them to sound slightly 'dissonant', for lack of a better word. It's a sound I equate with intermodulation distortion. Interestingly, I had that reaction long before I knew about the RF technology. The first time I used one, my immediate reaction was not good. It has stayed that way ever since. There's something decidedly unmusical going on with those mics, in my opinion/perception, that tends to keep me at an arm's distance from the music.

Cucco wrote: As for the noise issue - I can understand where you're coming from, but the Schoeps and DPA stuff is pretty quiet as it is.

The Sennheisers have been of interest to me recently for nature recording, where low noise is very important. But whatever I buy for this purpose also has to be something I like for recording music as well, and so I'm currently auditioning a pair of DPA 4053s. They have about 6dB higher self-noise than the Sennheiser, but perhaps they are quiet enough for nature recording anyway...

This weekend I'm camping overnight in the Blue Mountains in Sydney to give them a try.