Schoeps VMS 5

The Schoeps VMS 5 is a unique microphone preamplifier, with a number of awesome features that I haven't seen anywhere else. The mic pre is made up of analog parts, and has XLR connections in the back, as well as a 1/4" jack in the front for headphones. It is the size of about half of a rack space, but the one that I used wasn't racked up in a traditional rack space.

UTILIZATION

The make up of the Schoeps VMS 5 is a bit more complicated than most mic pres out there, but those with a little bit of experience with preamplifiers in general should be able to figure out how to use it quickly anyway. In terms of parameters, the VMS 5 has knobs for gain and balance, a switch for a high pass filter, phantom power, and choice between either a preamp or matrix output. While it did take me a little bit to get used to these unique parameters, it isn't anything all that complicated once you sit down and figure it all out.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound of the Schoeps VMS 5 is overall extremely clean sounding. It does have its own type of sound for sure, but it won't color your sound in a way where it is taking away rather than adding in my opinion. In general I can't say it colors it at all where it is unnatural, but it does have its own sound. I have only used the preamp for recording acoustic guitar, so unfortunately I can't compare applications yet, but for this situation the preamp sounded beautiful as in tandem with the Neumann U87 mic I used, I got an extremely clear and brilliant sounding portrayal of the acoustic guitar...

OVERALL OPINION

I haven't seen any other Schoeps VMS 5 around other than that one that I used a single time, but I do think that you'd be able to get one easily if you wanted. The price is incredibly pricey, but Schoeps is a high class brand that produces nothing less than stellar microphones and microphones preamplifiers. I'd only recommend this for a professional engineer or studio owner because of the price, but would highly recommend anyone checking it out who had access to one.