Alternatives to Oktava MC012?

  • Thread starter Thread starter pcs2000
  • Start date Start date
P

pcs2000

New member
Now that Oktava MC012s mic are questionable as to whether they are the original mics from the Russian factory, what would be some good alternatives?

I guess there are several different SDCs available like the ADK SC-1 or the Marshall 603s or even the SP C4s?

Does anyone have any advice or recommendations for an alternative to the Oktava MC012s?

Or should I forget about getting the SDCs and get the Audio Technica AT-4040?

Thanks,
Pete
 
mc012s would be the american version...mk012s would be the russian version. 603s or c4s are fine...either or. theres a long thread deep in the mic forum somewhere about c4s vs 603s and mc012s and the end result was some people choosing c4s and some people choosing 603s or mc012s.... flip a coin on them. i went for the 603s. now are you trying drum overheads or acoustic guitar or what?
 
I am looking for something that would be used for primarily for drum overheads situations but also some acoustic guitar, and some choral situations as well.

I will look at the previous threads regarding the other SDC alternatives.

Thanks,
Pete
 
I think the consensus around these parts is that the 603s are better on acoustic guitar than as drum overheads. I think the SP C4 package is a pretty attractive one.
 
pcs2000 said:
Now that Oktava MC012s mic are questionable as to whether they are the original mics from the Russian factory, what would be some good alternatives?

I guess there are several different SDCs available like the ADK SC-1 or the Marshall 603s or even the SP C4s?

Does anyone have any advice or recommendations for an alternative to the Oktava MC012s?

Or should I forget about getting the SDCs and get the Audio Technica AT-4040?

Thanks,
Pete
Click to expand...
You can still get the original Oktava MC-012's from the SoundRoom... that's where I got my matched pair from. ;)
 
As far as capturing that sort of bite on acoustic guitars like the Oktavas I'd say AT4041 are a good alternative.

War
 
DJL said:
You can still get the original Oktava MC-012's from the SoundRoom... that's where I got my matched pair from. ;)
Click to expand...

That's right I forgot about that. It looks like SoundRoom is offering the Oktava MC012A matched pair for $437.95 ($426 plus $11.95 shipping).

I see that there is another Oktava dealer (OktavaUSA.com) selling factory matched pairs for $385 or factory hand-matched pairs for $325. It looks like the package comes with the 10db pads, metal clips, cardioid capsules, and cedar box although the description for the hand-match pairs wasn't that clear.

So the question for me is whether the Oktava MK012 factory matched pair or factory hand-matched pair are worth it at $410 or $350 (they charge a whopping $25 shipping) respectively or the Marshall MXL 603s or the Studio Projects C4 or perhaps the Audio Technica AT4041.

I am not sure what exactly hand-matched means but $350 a pair is a lot more reasonable than $400 plus dollars.

Anyway, there are plenty of (good) choices out there...

Pete
 
No one has yet proven that the Chinese Oktavas suck. For all I know, it may represent an improvement in quality control.-Richie
 
Richard Monroe said:
No one has yet proven that the Chinese Oktavas suck. For all I know, it may represent an improvement in quality control.-Richie
Click to expand...


Since when has anything needed proof on the internet?


:D ;)
 
Richard brought up a good point... "No one has yet proven that the Chinese Oktavas suck", and he's right... but I have to remember... even if I know a mic sucks I could never prove it to someone who likes it.

However, in this situation it's a matter of principle for me... I don't want counterfeit mics anymore than cracked software.

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=155616
 
Richard Monroe said:
No one has yet proven that the Chinese Oktavas suck. For all I know, it may represent an improvement in quality control.-Richie
Click to expand...

Well, you may have a point there. I did check both of my mics as soon as I got home and both of them seemed to pickup the volume from my TV ok.

But then I did notice that there was quite a bit of noise coming from the mic after I powered off and on the 48V phantom power on my preamp. The noise gradually went away 15-20 seconds after the 48V phantom power was switched back on.

Does that happen with the "real" Oktava MK012s?

Thanks,
Pete
 
Real Russian Oktavas vs Chinese Counterfeit Oktavas

Putting any mic real close to a tv can sometimes pickup noise.
 
DJL said:
Putting any mic real close to a tv can sometimes pickup noise.
Click to expand...

I see your point about the TV being the source or at least a contributor of unwanted noise to the mic. The problem was repeatable with the noise appearing only after I switched the phantom power off and then back on again. Once the mic was on and the initial noise went away the mic remained clean as I positioned the mic towards the TV speaker.

I have never heard any noise with my Oktava MK319 in the same situation. I could try to see if this happens without the TV being around.

Maybe I got a bum one after all...

Pete
 
It's worth bearing in mind that until we are sure of who 'Oktava' is now, you don't know who is fulfilling your warranty. Harvey said ASM was in liquidation, which doesn't sound like a safe backing to me. Just a thought.

Over here, the ADK SC-1 and JoeMeek JM27 (same mic as far as I know) are £50 and £40 each respectively. That seems a bit safer ... or get one of the others you mentioned.

AT make some good mics - I've not used the AT4040 but the ATM25, AE3300 and AT4050 are all mics I really like.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top