MK012s as a workhorse stereo pair

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kristian

kristian

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i guess im asking basically the users of the 012s (since ive heard enough about NT1s, and have used them) on this board for their opinion. Its basically getting strange i toss back ideas of 2 NT1s, or 2 012s. Each are different and probbaly sound very different. these are going to be my stereo workhorse overheads, stereo micing acoustics, string sections, etc...
 
Depends

"stereo workhorse overheads, stereo micing acoustics, string sections, etc..."

Those 3 set-ups, I'd say a matched-pair of MC-012s from The Sound Room all the way. But I my suggestion depends on whether or not you'll be using them on vox. If so, do you plan to buy another mic, ever? If so, how long?

If in the long future or never buying another mic again, I'd say the NT-1s. If in the more reasonably near-future or not at all on vox, then the MC-012s.

Simply my opinion...
 
the closest ive got to playing with MK012s is at guitar center, so i dont knw if those were a turd or gem. but i do plan on buying a vocal mic sometime in the near future. ie-early next year. i dont need to track vocals till later. but im putting together my next step up for instrumental tracking. and i need something that will bring these stereo live tracks to sound good.
 
So you don't really suggest the MC012s for vocals? Not even with those heads I could buy for them (MC15 or something?) If I were to do basicly the same thing as kristian, plus vocals, would I be better off buying NT1s?
 
OK

Here's the thing:

I think if you don't have a "decent" large diaphragm mic to do vocals with, the Oktava MC-012 from The Sound Room will get you by with some decent/pleasent/nice sounding vocals using the omni cap.

When you're ready to buy a large diaphragm mic, simply buy the RTT M1/M3 cap for the MC-012 from The Sound Room and... Vwoala! A VERY nice large diaphragm mic; especially on vox.

So would you be better off with the NT-1s since you're planning to record vox with your purchase?

Not if you're planning to buy more mics after this purchase!
 
Well, I'm not really planning on getting more than two condensors....as far as I can tell in the future. The MC012s are rather expensive when you factor in the M1/M3 heads...that's a LOT of money. Would it be so wrong to get two NT1s instead? I mean, is there a HUGE sound difference, completely mind blowing that'd be worth spending more than double the money? $400 sure beats nearly $1000.
 
Kristian Has A Good Point Which Needs To Be Realized

Also Yes! "I mean, is there a HUGE sound difference, completely mind blowing that'd be worth spending more than double the money?"
 
So you guys are saying to go with the NT1's if I don't have a lot of money...and it's better to have quantity than quality? Or...you guys are so cryptic! Just lay it out! Shout it! Yea or nay on the NT1s!?!
 
No No No

I think what kristian was trying to show is how versetile the Oktava MC-012 (from The Sound Room only) is.

For $400US, you can buy 2 fixed-cardioid large diaphragm condenser NT-1s. For $1000US, you can buy a matched-pair of MC-012s preamp bodies with 3 matched-pairs of inter-changable small diaphragm capsules (cardioid, hyper-cardioid, omni) and 1 RTT M1/M3 fixed-cardioid large diaphragm capsule. "Virtually", that would be a total of 7 different microphones.

So even without any consideration to sound comparisions between the NT-1s for $400US and MC-012s for $1000US from The Sound Room, it is rather obvious why the MC-012s would be so much more. Simply because you get so much more.

Again:

Here's the thing:

I think if you don't have a "decent" large diaphragm mic to do vocals with, the Oktava MC-012 from The Sound Room will get you by with some decent/pleasent/nice sounding vocals using the omni cap.

When you're ready to buy a large diaphragm mic, simply buy the RTT M1/M3 cap for the MC-012 from The Sound Room and... Vwoala! A VERY nice large diaphragm mic; especially on vox.

So would you be better off with the NT-1s since you're planning to record vox with your purchase?

Not if you're planning to buy more mic(s) after this purchase in the reasonable semi-near future!
 
Hmmmm...alright, I guess I can still keep my eyes on those MC012s. I found the NT1 on zzounds.com for $170, I really like that price. I may end up just going with those, and when I come into a great amount of money (who knows, I'm only 17), I'll wing for those MC012s. I understand how versitile those MC012s are, but I'm sure the NT1s will do me good for a while. Will you hate me if I did that, Rec Eng? :)
 
Nah

Like I've always said:

Money usually has the last word.
 
That's true...too damn true actually. I don't know, call me crazy but I kinda think it's better to have a selection of mics that are really good and comparable to something better, just not as amazing (NT1 vs the MC012), than have just two amazing ones. Because who knows, I might find an application where I need to use more than 2 condensors at once, and when it comes to having a $1000 pair of MC012s vs having a pair of NT1s, a large diaphragm condensor, maybe another 1 to 3 condensors, I'd rather go with the quantity. Because the quality of the NT1 vs the MC012 are pretty comparable, except the MC012s have the different capsules, maybe slightly better quality/freq response...am I right?
 
MMMmmm

High quantity of NT-1s better than low quantity of MC-012s(SR)? I suppose if it was a matter of whether you get the job or not.

Otherwise, I say nah.

"Because the quality of the NT1 vs the MC012 are pretty comparable, except the MC012s have the different capsules, maybe slightly better quality/freq response...am I right?"

Only as obvious as night and day with the M1 on head. Doesn't even come close IMHO.
 
Well I didn't mean a large quantity of NT1s, I meant a number of different mics, let's say a pair of NT1s, an AKG C3000B, a C1000, etc.
 
re:
how do you think the mc012's compare to the at4033? after reading NUMEROUS posts and a/b "ing" mics at 8th street, these are the mics i've narrowed it down to....i would buy the m1/m3 head either right away or in the near future...or would it be better to buy the head and only one mc012? (only one overhead then ? )

i wish i had a chance to hear to mc012's but i don't....kind of makes me nervous to buy without hearing first, but you really make a great case for thre 012's....as do the testimonials on oktava's site...

i think i'll be happy either way i go, but before i take the plunge i wanted to bounce it off some people here...

thanks....
 
El Barto:

Again, I suppose if it was a matter of whether you get the job or not.

Otherwise, I still say nah. All IMHO.

The first mics I ever bought were 2 C1000s; before they went down to $200US. I had those for a few years before I even bought a few SM57s.

The first "expensive" (whatever that means) mics I ever bought were a matched-pair of Neumann TLM103s a few months after they became available. It wasn't for another 2 years before I bought ANY other mics after those.

If you want/need more mics at once, use your 57s until you can afford other varieties. You have a few 57s already don't you? If not, you should probably start from there.
 
skyway57:

I'll get back to you in a day or two. Info release pending, that I want to mention inm my response.
 
Yes, I have two SM57s, and I may be buying one or two more. The only mics I have are those two SM57s and an AKG D790. What exactly do you mean by "if I get the job"...?
 
Well

Unless a band/group doesn't want to record with you because they want to multitrack mostly live and you only have two "reasonable"/"decent" condensers and your 57s...

I mean unless you know you're often going to be tracking instruments where a 57 simply won't do, such as acoustic guitar, and you're already using your two "prized mics" elsewhere, before you see yourself buying another condenser again...
 
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