MC012 Scott Dorsey Modification?

[Bob's Mods]

Is there anyone who has done the Scott Dorsey mod on an MC012? I know it gets great reviews but I was wondering what anyone on this NG who has used this in the "before" and the "after" thinks of the change? Is it over the top way huge or do I have to strain to hear it? Does it really change the character of the mic in a big or small way? Was it worth the effort?

I kinda like the way the thing sounds as it is. Will it remain the same only be better? Whats the story?

Bob the Mod Guy

 

[Gilliland]

I was wondering what anyone on this NG who has used this in the "before" and the "after" thinks of the change? Is it over the top way huge or do I have to strain to hear it?

Neither. The change is pretty readily noticeable, but not so dramatic that you think it's a different mic. To my ear, the big difference falls in two areas: the extended low end (making the MC012's proximity effect even stronger, so be careful with it), and the clean midrange. The midrange of the original MC012 is a bit "grainy", the mod will remove that "veil" and give you some really nice clarity. The original article also said that the mod would extend the high end, but I haven't found that to be particularly noticeable.

Some of the changes in the article are intended to improve reliability rather than sound quality - in particular, replacing the tantalum tube caps with standard electrolytics - so don't expect those changes to impact the sound of the mic.

I definitely think it was worth the effort.

 

[Bob's Mods]

I just completed the upgrade with a kit I picked up on ebay. I agree, this mod is worth the effort. I picked up a used MC012 on ebay and the upgrade kit and ended up with quality leap on the cheap. The character of this mic remains the same with a noticable improvement in openess, airyness and cleaness (less grainyness).

If you got an on original Russian MC012 or MK012 this Scott Dorsey mod is worth looking at.

The guy on ebay selling the mod kit is using the header:

Oktava 012 Microphone Modification Parts Kit

Know what your doing or have him or someone who has the proper tools and knows what their doing do the mod. YMMV depending on the quality of the capsule you ended with. I got lucky, mine was a good one.

Bob the Mod Guy.

 

[qbert1]

I just completed the upgrade with a kit I picked up on ebay. I agree, this mod is worth the effort. I picked up a used MC012 on ebay and the upgrade kit and ended up with quality leap on the cheap. The character of this mic remains the same with a noticable improvement in openess, airyness and cleaness (less grainyness).

If you got an on original Russian MC012 or MK012 this Scott Dorsey mod is worth looking at.

The guy on ebay selling the mod kit is using the header:

Oktava 012 Microphone Modification Parts Kit

Know what your doing or have him or someone who has the proper tools and knows what their doing do the mod. YMMV depending on the quality of the capsule you ended with. I got lucky, mine was a good one.

Bob the Mod Guy.

Glad to see it worked out. For the archives, I did the exact same thing a short while ago and I was floored with the results. It's a good kit with good directions and great results. Made a nice difference in my drum tracks. Had to use one on a clarinet track recently too- not bad. Glad the mod worked as well for you as it did for me.

 

[Big Kenny]

I had flatpicker do mods on a pair of Russkies and sold my 184's. Then he did a mod on a chinese and it was a little different, maybe more present tha b4 and little richer sounding.