RadoStefanov Posted November 25, 2010 Report Share Posted November 25, 2010 Not TRUE All ASM are fake. A fact directly from the "director" manager of the TULA factory. It is an urban legend that ASM is business went bad. I do not remember the exact facts but a guy named Tom wanted to do business with Tula but just made knock offs in CHina I was raised on Oktava and Geffel mics for years. I have to tell you after Mike did the mod the clarity of the sound changed a lot. Highs changed almost like extended flat high frequency. I haven't seen a "fake" Oktava offered for sale in MANY years now. The ones that say "ASM" on them are NOT fakes--they were just built under a convoluted business deal that went bad. There is a website that shows what to look for-- the diffs are very obvious, and the fakes were only available from one source (Guitar Center) and only for a very short period of time. The "real" Oktavas, esp the older ones, are very variable in quality, as their QC and parts sourcing were pretty spotty. That all said, I've found them to be a great value for the money, especially as instrument mics. Whether the mods available for them are worth the money as compared to spending the cost of the mic + the mod on a different mic are down to personal sonic aesthetics, I say. phil p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Spaeth Posted November 25, 2010 Report Share Posted November 25, 2010 If I had a quieter boom I would, the AT4073a is a fairly hot output mic and self noise is not near as quiet as the MK-012. As soon as I get my figure8 adaptor I will try to do some Oktava double M/S surround recordings, Schoeps style. Just have to figure out how to properly de-matrix them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadoStefanov Posted November 25, 2010 Report Share Posted November 25, 2010 sCHOEPS have a free ms surround software matrix on their site. As soon as I get my figure8 adaptor I will try to do some Oktava double M/S surround recordings, Schoeps style. Just have to figure out how to properly de-matrix them... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Perkins Posted November 25, 2010 Report Share Posted November 25, 2010 Not TRUE All ASM are fake. A fact directly from the "director" manager of the TULA factory. It is an urban legend that ASM is business went bad. I do not remember the exact facts but a guy named Tom wanted to do business with Tula but just made knock offs in CHina I was raised on Oktava and Geffel mics for years. I have to tell you after Mike did the mod the clarity of the sound changed a lot. Highs changed almost like extended flat high frequency. The truth about the Oktava MC012s from 2002- to 2005 or so seems to be more nuanced than you state. Why do I say this? Because in that period there were at least 3 different versions of the mic that I saw, of which I have 2. There is the obvious fake--with the wrong body screws, no 10 DB pad, the wrong box, a black plastic clip and no docs, which has no SN and may or may not say ASM on it and may be labelled MK012 or MC012. There is the ASM version that looks identical to the versions of that time that do NOT say ASM on them, came in the correct box, HAD the 10 db pad, HAD the docs, HAD the correct (peculiar) Oktava mic clip, HAD the right screws and may or may not have an SN (have seen both). The MC012s of that time seem so mixed up that I suspect fiddling by all 3 parties in the dispute (Oktava Tula, Andrew S.McKay/Oktava Ltd. and the Chinese), all of them using parts from various sources and selling variations of the mics behind each other's backs. In any case, in my usage the ASM MC012s and the non-ASM MC012s from that period (not the more obvious fakes) sound as much the same as any two absolutely identical MC012s I've ever used (many), AND (getting back to the topic of the thread) are a great value, no matter who made them. For those interested in buying NEW Oktavas, this issue seems to be settled. For those buying used, make sure to see the mic or a pic first, consult the voluminous correspondence on the subject from 2005 and then see if you like the sound. Here's the website w/ the pix, and a link to the 100+ post thread on this topic at the time: some of the conclusions made here are disputed. Whatever, they are a really good mic for the money, esp. if you can get them used for around $100. http://recordinghacks.com/fake-oktava-mk-012-photos/ phil p Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted November 28, 2010 Report Share Posted November 28, 2010 I have just received my latest Oktava microphone, again from the SoundRoom (where I have purchased 3 other Oktavas over the years). This one is the "Bello Nero" model (black) with hyper-cardioid capsule and -10db pad. I am very pleased with my purchase and I appreciate the QC and support provided by the good people at the SoundRoom. Regards, Jeff Wexler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted November 28, 2010 Report Share Posted November 28, 2010 I have just received my latest Oktava microphone, again from the SoundRoom (where I have purchased 3 other Oktavas over the years). This one is the "Bello Nero" model (black) with hyper-cardioid capsule and -10db pad. I am very pleased with my purchase and I appreciate the QC and support provided by the good people at the SoundRoom. Regards, Jeff Wexler Nice, what purpose do you tend to use your MK-012's for Jeff? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jeff Wexler Posted November 28, 2010 Report Share Posted November 28, 2010 Nice, what purpose do you tend to use your MK-012's for Jeff? Generally, I have used the Oktavas for two situations: when I have to record dialog and gunfire, I prefer to use the $200. Oktava rather than the $1200. Schoeps; the second situation is when I run out of Schoeps microphones needed to cover a scene. The Oktava is a very good match and if I didn't already have several Schoeps microphones I would be quite happy to use it as the main microphone. I am not saying it is as good as the Schoeps, not by any means, but if one were on a very strict budget and believed in the benefits of using a very smooth, less directional microphone as the main mic, the Oktava could serve this purpose. - Jeff Wexler Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Blankenship Posted November 28, 2010 Report Share Posted November 28, 2010 ...than the $1200. Schoeps... You haven't bought a Schoeps for a good while, have you, Jeff? <g> Add about $500 to that. The Oktavas are definitely a bargain. I have four that were hand selected and have the Scott Dorsey modifications. When I compare the Oktavas against Schoeps in the studio I'm impressed how close they sound -- the cardioid Oktava more than the hypercardioid. However, when I've deployed them together on set, I find I strongly prefer the Schoeps, probably due largely to the amazing off-axis smoothness that the Schoeps achieves. So I carry more than one Schoeps and just use the Oktava as a "stunt double" for a Schoeps. John B., CAS Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maplecap Posted November 28, 2010 Report Share Posted November 28, 2010 Not TRUE All ASM are fake. As others have correctly stated, this is false. There are a lot of authentic Russian Oktava mics marked A.S.M. However, there are also Chinese made "fakes" that are marked A.S.M., so that is not an indicator of authenticity. A.S.M. was a British company that handled distribution for Oktava. They're also responsible for the unauthorized Chinese made versions of the MK012. However, countless MK012's sold through Guitar Center and Musician's Friend over many years were made in Russia, distributed by A.S.M., and so marked. I've had them in my hands. I was raised on Oktava and Geffel mics for years. Do you own a Microtech Gefell M300? If so, do you use use it in production? In what way? Just curious. It's an excellent mic. I have one; acquired years ago for recording acoustic guitar. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matthias Richter Posted November 29, 2010 Report Share Posted November 29, 2010 just an information: the low cut sold with the s.c. "movie-set" is available solo although not listed on the website for 20,-€ Matthias Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Spaeth Posted November 29, 2010 Report Share Posted November 29, 2010 wow, just saw they have a new preamp for 4-capsule surround recording. Have never seen this setup though. Something like a double ORTF with one axis rotated by 90 degrees... impressive, I'd like to know how they de-matrix that and I'm very curious about how this works. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted November 29, 2010 Report Share Posted November 29, 2010 http://sellbuyexchange-film-videoaudiogear.googlegroups.com/web/_2093.jpg-octava+low+cut+curve?gda=5Jj2-lAAAAAQiAQkJCBLE81BIN0oKp08qAlcpy61yLoNLaocaXgzuzWQEL4MUwSM6r63cbwqS76p84B3RdtrSvlKEcbvuLfRbcVT3VtYGKLco-_l-8AzjQ Can't read the Russian or w/e it is, are you saying it's really at 150Hz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Matti Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 wow, just saw they have a new preamp for 4-capsule surround recording. Have never seen this setup though. Something like a double ORTF with one axis rotated by 90 degrees... impressive, I'd like to know how they de-matrix that and I'm very curious about how this works. http://www.soundfield.com/ Matti Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadoStefanov Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 This is not a graph of a low cut. This is the response at 90 and 180 degrees. Does not say anything about a low cut. Can't read the Russian or w/e it is, are you saying it's really at 150Hz? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted November 30, 2010 Report Share Posted November 30, 2010 This is not a graph of a low cut. This is the response at 90 and 180 degrees. Does not say anything about a low cut. Like I said... I can't read this. Oktava's description says 85Hz, and that's what info I submitted before. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadoStefanov Posted December 1, 2010 Report Share Posted December 1, 2010 Correct. Sorry. It just does not makes sense to cut the 0 and 90 degree only. Is this a low cut membrane? this is the responce with low cut at 0,90 and 180 degrees :-) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RadoStefanov Posted December 1, 2010 Report Share Posted December 1, 2010 Then it does not make sense at 180 degrees...? This is the original response: no, its hypercardiod with low cut modul inserted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toy Robot Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 An MK-012 without Rycote InVision mounts and no low cut = near unusable microphone IMHO. Even muscles moving in my fingers come through the pole, and I'm talking millimeter twitches that are impossible to stop. Add the InVision mounts (I use the InVision 7, which has adjustable clip positions), a low cut of between 40-90Hz and you're in business. I also had Michael Joly upgrade mine at OktavaModShop and I think it was worth every penny. Besides, the industry veterans on this site are vouching for this mic, so what other information could you need if you're on the fence? The price point is just insane. Technical Note: Someone mentioned a metal piece came loose in their mic. This happened to me and I know now what it was. These mics have three (3) screws that mount the 'tail' portion or 'connector' portion of the mic to the hollow body, which then mounts to the capsule. These screws do not loosen by falling OUT, they loosen by falling INTO the mic. So... If any of you ever attempt to take your mic apart, please note that the screws (all three) screw IN to take the mic apart. The OUT position of the screws feeds the screws into the holes in the mic body where the body meets the connector portion of the mic (please excuse my terminology, or lack thereof). So there are three main pieces to this mic 1.) The capsule 2.) The mic body/exterior tube and 3.) The connector or 'tail' portion of the mic with the XLR connection and circuit board all attached, once the mic comes apart. I would even say it is worth checking the tension of these screws every now and then to ensure that they do not fall into the mic. However, I did in fact have this happen, and the sounds through my headphones were enough to nearly stop my heart. Static and distortion even a bad sci-fi sound designer would have trouble making up spewed through my headphones and I nearly dropped the boom to get the cans off my head when it happened. I decided I would send the mic in for an upgrade with OktavaMod, and the byproduct of that is that Michael does a 'courtesy fix' to the mics he mods, so for me it was a two-birds kind of deal and it worked out great. Also, Michael Joly from OktavaMod wont upgrade any mics that have been "worked on" by you. So if you are planning an upgrade, buy the mic, and then send it in to him before you get curious. So check your screw tension and remember if you do decide to take your mic apart: BE GENTLE, as I've been told many of these mics are a very tight fit (circuit board to body interior mic) and you could easily break the circuit board if you aren't being careful. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rich Reilly Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 Hmm..I sent an 012 in for mod recently but the fix (for intermittent buzz) was a separate charge. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Toy Robot Posted December 23, 2011 Report Share Posted December 23, 2011 Hmm..I sent an 012 in for mod recently but the fix (for intermittent buzz) was a separate charge. Yeah, I'm not sure of his exact policy, but this is from an email he sent to me: I offer an '012 repair service as a courtesy to folks who send their mics in for modificaiton. Maybe yours required an additional part? Anyway, I hope you enjoy the mod as much as I am. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Garafola Posted November 15, 2013 Report Share Posted November 15, 2013 Success! Received my MK-012 low cut capsule today, and I'm happy to say handling noise is gone Where did you buy it? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zack Posted November 16, 2013 Report Share Posted November 16, 2013 http://www.oktavausa.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul Garafola Posted November 16, 2013 Report Share Posted November 16, 2013 Thanks, Zack. If you have any audio samples, I'd love to hear them with the low cut on and off. If you have time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nwstudios Posted November 16, 2013 Report Share Posted November 16, 2013 For a lot less than the price of the Oktava high pass. Shure A15HP http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/68602-REG/Shure_A15HP_A15HP_Hi_Pass_Filter.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Christian Spaeth Posted November 17, 2013 Report Share Posted November 17, 2013 1, not true. the Oktava filter is cheaper: http://www.oktava-shop.com/product_info.php/currency/USD/language/en/info/p24_low-cut-filter.html 2, the shure thingy is much longer, hence impractical. There is also a new preamp with a lo cut switch. Looks neat. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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