mk-012 pair -or- rode nt5

[farodyssey]

i'm looking for a nice pair of mics that can do acoustic guitar, drum overhead, and maybe saxaphone (willing to get an extra mic for sax).

i am putting together a project studio right now and looking into the nt2-a as the "main" mic and then a pair of something like the ones above. i also have a d-112 for this project.

any have experience comparing the mk-012 to the nt5s? i am thinking it is a choice between these two but are there any other mics like this that i am overlooking?

 

[Ironklad Audio]

i have a matched pair of the both the nt2a's and nt5's, and am very pleased with both. the nt5's seem to have a fairly neutral response and smooth transients, at least when compared to sm-81's.

the nt-2a's are also great...they're very detailed and smooth as well, and have been successfully used so far for OH's, vocals, acoustic and electric guitar

 

[chessrock]

I actually think they're fairly similar in terms of overall sound / response and sound quality, so if it were me, I would just go for whichever one you can get the best deal on.

.

 

[farodyssey]

well this was my main concern. i'v just heard so much absolute raving about the okatavas. how they are the best mics of their kind "under $2,000".

plus the oktavas have 3 interchanble capsules to change polar patters or add a -10db pad. the nt5's do not. if they sound exactly the same i'd rather get the oktavas because of this, though they are more expensive.

i would have to say i'm disapointed people would go so crazy over the oktavas if they sound just like the nt5's anyway.

 

[chessrock]

Some people just go crazy because they're idiots. Seriously, I can name maybe a handful -- if that -- of guys on this board who have any sense whatsoever when it comes to audio engineering, and who's opinion I'd even give a second thought to on microphone knowlege. And sadly, that goes for most boards on the net in general. The ones raving about the Oktavas don't necessarily fall in to that camp, because they are good mics ... but just be weary of raving, in general. It's all just tools.

.

 

[chance]

I have mentioned this many times before. For years I've used 414's for overheads, but I would get nervous when I would get un experienced kids in here. I got the 012's for that reason. The first time I used them, I was blown away. They sounded real good. Later on, I did the simple Scott Dorsey mod, and damn near fell out of my chair. I now use the 012's exclusivly for overheads

 

[Robert D]

Some people just go crazy because they're idiots.

Hey, watch it, I resemble that remark.

Ok, I won't rave about the 012's, I'll just give them a quiet little nod. I like the Rodes too, but I do love that I can quickly change capsules on the 012s. I haven't tried a hyper-cardiod, but the omni is great. Whoops, great sounds a bit rave-ish...... it sounds nice.

 

[farodyssey]

chance, i have no idea what anything in your post implies except for the "i was blown away" part.

in any case, i'm gonna go for the oktavas since there doesn't seem to be anyone warning me on this choice.

"i appreciate the polar patterns."
-- billy mumphry

 

[riffy]

I was considering the Rodes too at one point then I found a killer deal on a couple 012's. I use them often on overheads and really like them. I need to pick up the omni capsule yet.

 

[soundchaser59]

I got rid of a matched pair of NT5's, simply because they were no match for my pair of C414's......and because I got them cheap and was able to sell them for what I paid.

I thought the NT5's were hard to work with, because they have very pronounced changes in their response with very little movement. Just an inch or two one way or the other and the sound would change drastically. The off axis response was especially unpredictable.

After some more recent experiments, however, I now believe that the main reason I did not like them was because of the fixed pattern and the crappy room in which I work. The main reason the 414 is so versatile (other than great sound and noise-free operation!) is because of the excellent response it has with each pattern change, and the usefulness of the rolloff switch.

I've also had good luck recently with a budget AT3032 omni mic. For example, I suspect I would not be happy at all with the AT3031, just because it would be one more fixed cardioid pattern to hamper my problem solving. I think my "luck" is because I am no longer locked into the "cardioid crutch." Throw in some recommended homade room treatments and I am much happier now with my tracking.

On that basis, if the Oktava 012 and the NT5 sound the same, and the 012 has the changeable caps and patterns, I would definitely go for the 012 even if it was a bit more $$$$$ than the NT5.....

 

[sdelsolray]

chance, i have no idea what anything in your post implies except for the "i was blown away" part.

in any case, i'm gonna go for the oktavas since there doesn't seem to be anyone warning me on this choice.

"i appreciate the polar patterns."
-- billy mumphry

Here's a warning:

Get your Oktavas from the Soundroom and nowhere else.

 

[dgatwood]

Here's a warning:

Get your Oktavas from the Soundroom and nowhere else.

Or get them used on eBay where you can see a picture and know what you're getting... but only if you know how to recognize the Chinese knock-offs.

 

[riffy]

I got mine from Guitar Center and they are the real McKoys, confirmed. But from what I understand this is a rarity. I second that you should should get them reliable sources like the Sound Room. Any way you get them make sure you look at this first.

another good bit of info.

 

[farodyssey]

yea i read a lot abot the knock-offs. what about oktavausa.com??? i heard them mentioned in a magazine review somewhere, but the site doesn't look so professional.

the russian oktava website has a great side-by-side picture comparison of real and fake oktava mics. why don't they have a list of official resellers??? crazy...

 

[riffy]

yea i read a lot abot the knock-offs. what about oktavausa.com??? i heard them mentioned in a magazine review somewhere, but the site doesn't look so professional.

the russian oktava website has a great side-by-side picture comparison of real and fake oktava mics. why don't they have a list of official resellers??? crazy...

Apparently they are the only distributor/seller in the U.S. I agree, their site needs an upgrade but they do also have a side by side comparison. The Sound Room has better prices though, there's a 20.00 difference between their omni capsules for the 012.