Just dropping in to say I think it's a great idea to film a little scene using the mic. Showing it in use in an actual scenario is super helpful. Thanks!
I love my Oktava!! I lecture with it. I use a pop filter though. The pop filter changed the coloration of my voice just the way I wanted it. This mic needs the pop filters!! Thanks!
OMG this is the perfect dialogue sound. I thought the 416 was it, but that one sounds much more sibilant and harsh than this one. This mic has the PERFECT mid-range sound that accentuates the voice. WOW.
FYI, there was more than one vendor for Oktava mics in North America, unless that was a comment to say, don't bother with the other vendors.... lol. I was able to get my Oktava MK-012 with the omni, cardioid and hyper cardioid capsules from Studio Economik in Montreal when I bought it a few years ago, but they have since halted all sales of any Russian imports in support of the Ukrainian people. I could not hear much of the reflections until the mic was boomed 3 feet away and then the reflections were obvious. The hat skit was friggin hilarious.... My favorite new microphone and audio gear review channel by far. And remember, let it go free whenever the need be.... Even the Queen farted dude.
Hahaha. Thanks, man! Yes indeed Studio Economik! I’ve bought plenty of gear from there! My MixPre recorders were from there too! But yeah, it was weird about the whole Russian mic thing at the time, but it’s a mic, and not a gun or something. Haha. Thanks for always watching!
i got the mk012 (not the film edition) and it sounds great but, at the distance at which you place it, i can´t seem to get rid of room noise if the gain is high enough to pick up my voice well. Any guidance will be welcome! thank you in advance
Hey. That’s a common issue. Here’s how that’s dealt with: 1. It’s always best to reduce room reflections (reverb) in any booming situation first - just to be sure you’re getting a cleaner signal. Using moving blankets on the floor out of site really helps. 2. A noise reduction plugin used in post. From Waves Clarity to UAD C-Suite C-Vox to Izotope RX. Even Davinci Resolve has a dialogue Isolate plugin that’s built in. This will reduce the room noise and reverb and all kinds of unwanted noise and will focus on voice. Then, you want to put back controlled room noise on a separate track. This hides any digital manipulation artifacts and makes it feel natural. Room tone is something that many location recordists try to capture when on set - if everyone will be quiet long enough to get it. Hope this helps! Cheers!
I had one. Sounded good in front but boy the off axis sound was nasty in noisy environments. Would be ok in a quiet room. Ended up using a high end cardioid in the noisy environment as the dialogue was much clearer. Boycott Russian tech though as their taxes go to bombing Ukraine 🇺🇦
Yes. I was unaware of the Russia thing when I made the video. My apologies. Another reviewer told me about that a couple of months ago. State owned. Better to find one on the used market if you want one badly. Thanks for watching!
@@TheRecordist Unfortunately, Ukrainian propaganda hides the true causes of the war. They don’t tell you that since 2014 they have been shooting the civilian population of Donbass (a part of Ukraine that separated due to the coup d’etat). They certainly won’t tell you about the 14,000 civilians of Donbass who died. Taken Carlson's unbiased interview with Iladimir Putin about the causes and consequences will be released soon.
Hi Alice. Well, it’s all about carving out the sound you want with EQ. Some mics can take it well, and some can’t. The Oktava is great with EQ. A lot of people new to sound prefer the brighter mics because it seems to sound crisper. But as one’s ears get trained, one tends to appreciate flatter or even darker mics. But yes, the 416 is a crisp mic!
@@TheRecordist Still, when I saw test from Curtis Judd where Oktava was remarkably noisy even when compared with RØDE NT5. I just believe it is always easier to "throw a pillow on speaker" rather than raise trebles. Add Octava's bad noise and then... rather start alchemy with expanders/gates/AI magic.
@@AliceVixie well, noise is less of an issue these days. I sometimes have noisy mics and I don’t use expanders or gates. I use plugins like Waves Clarity. I never use AI. I just carve the sound with my ears and a parametric EQ. The Oktava is a great blank canvas. I stress all this because a lot of people can’t afford the $1000 416. The Røde NT5 is entry level. The Røde NTG3 is much better but is $700. Both the 416 and the NTG3 are shotgun mics, which when indoors can have some issues due to room reverb and the interference tube. Small diaphragm condenser mics are the first choice for indoor shoots. Another great mic that is somewhat better than the Oktava is the Line Audio CM4. Hand made. Cheap. Wonderful.
@@AliceVixie Oktava's are great for SFX gathering. If you have a 416 use that first for dialogue but otherwise the Oktava's are very easy to eq. Mine are older (1990's) and not noisy at all.
Wow those 2 and 3 foot recordings are amazing! I literally said wow out loud. Most mics are hollow sounding at any distance beyond a few inches but it sounds great.
The low cut filter module is not a necessity. I never use it. The same exact things can be done on your recorder or in post. The only reason you’d want that is if somehow what you’re recording has a deep rumble that’s tripping the limiter in your recorder. Otherwise, it can easily be done in post.
Great video! Hard to deny the quality vocal sound of the mic. Would be interesting to hear your take on the (American) Avantone CK1, which may be able to compete with it on sound quality- if not on build quality- at a lower price point. Oh wait, here's the Rode NT5... Hmm... Feel some GAS coming on...
Hahaha. GAS is a real killer! I’m interested in the CK1. I’ll look into testing it out. Thanks for the suggestion! NT5 is an alright mic. Not amazing but not terrible. I’ve had a chance to try it out once. I’m more fond of the Line Audio CM3 or CM4 if we’re going regular cardioid SDC (if we’re talking budget mics). Alternatively, there’s the Neumann KM184’s and the like, but that’s some serious coin. Oh the GAS!
So I am watching one of these on ebay for a steal and decided to see if there were any new videos about this mic. Here you are, within 30 minutes from looking for such videos you posted yours. I really like your style and appreciate your demonstration. Boosting the volume in post at longer distances was very impressive for the mic. I can't wait to get mine, and I am looking at your other videos for entertainment as well as the demonstrations. Subbed.
Hey thanks for the sub! I have wanted to get my hands on an Oktava MK-012 for a long time. It’s the secret production mic that so many pros use indoors. I’m so glad I posted just in time for you! The older Oktavas needed a mod done to them to make them sound as good as they do in my video. But the newer ones have altered it to include the mod people were getting done. So make sure to purchase one that’s not the old style. I’m not sure of the year they made the change, though. Also, in the early 2000s there were Chinese knockoffs and everyone was worried about getting a fake one. Just make sure you’re not getting swindled. Reverb has them for a decent price sometimes and they come directly from the German official store. Thanks for watching!
@@TheRecordist - Reverb is our friend. ;) Thanks for the info. I too came across that in my research on these mics. They are a great deal...performance wise, even when money is not on hand for one. I bought a few new lights, upgrading my lighting game, and was able to convince my wife what a great deal they are (performance vs. price) and even one of them for a discount. However....it all adds up and the 3 lights combined are about my allotment for a while. Yeah, been drooling for an MK-012 for a year now.
@@northcoaststudios indeed. The lights are a must-have. What did you go with? I’ve got some Godox video lights but am interested in the new SmallRig ones. It’s one piece at a time, man! You’ll get there!
@@TheRecordist - My first light was an Amaran 100d. It has been invaluable on a couple might time scenes as well as some indoor scenes. The second light I got was the Amaran P60C. This has turned out to be the light I grab first on many shoots for narrative film. I can get any color at insane levels of saturation for horror scenes, and also match any color white light. The included softbox makes it seem less like a panel light. Output is awesome, and being able to us, and charge, batteries on this light has been a life saver sometimes. The third light is an Amaran 60d. For the times I don't need the output of the 100d the 60d is fantastic, and is easily battery powered as well when needed. I will likely buy at least one more of these as well as a 60x. I have a nice set of gels to use on the COB lights, so getting lights that are bi-color was not a high priority for me. The 60x will be merely a convenience. I also got an Anker 300 watt power station to power the 100d when I don't have household power available. Anker sells them on ebay listed as "refurbished" when in actuality they are merely "open box" items that were returned because they can no longer be sold as "new." New they are $460 USD, but on ebay you can get them for $250 - $275, open box. I saw a reviewer pull out a 10 year old Anker power station that still worked like the day he bought it, so I had no hesitation buying one that just sat on the shelf on display for a few months. The power station enables me to power more than the one light when not using them at 100% output. As long as I don't hit 300 watts. The magic of LED lights. I have a number of old 350 - 500 watt tungsten lights, but the LED lights take their place in output.
Thanks for the video. I've bought MANY Oktavas over the years. They're great mics soundwise, but the quality control is atrocious. I'd say about half of the Oktavas I owned died for no obvious reason (sometimes dead out of the box) and exhibited exactly the same crackling/fizzing noise featured in this video. So, great mics.... when they work! It's a crapshoot, but try them. You might get lucky. Keep your receipts though.
Boy you nailed it! This is now my third Oktava Mk-012. The first two died-including the one in the video you just watched. The very next time I plugged it in, it was doing that noise. I sent it back to Oktava USA and he was kind enough to exchange it again for me. At this point I can’t recommend anyone buy these that don’t have a guarantee and the time to exchange them. There must be some fix when these mics get noisy. Is it a loose connection? Can they be repaired by hand? Otherwise, they’re fantastic sounding mics. Thanks for chiming in!
I had just picked up an MKH416 (and yes, I saw your review hehe) and after testing it out, I didn't feel like it was what I needed. Especially at a $999 price tag. So I'm going to be returning it. Maybe in the future I'll reconsider it. But for the time being, you've got me very interested in the Oktava, especially at less than 1/3 the price. Thank you for the great content as always ❤
Hey thanks! Yes the Oktava is very popular for many recordists just starting out and pros alike. It’s definitely a warmer sound. If you do get one, let me know how you like it! And if you purchase through OktavaUSA then tell them I sent you! Haha.
@@TheRecordist Maybe that's what I'm more going for with more warth. While the 416 did sound super nice and clear especially at close proximity, it was a bit thinner than I was expecting (not that it couldn't be adjusted in post). And if I get it, I'll be sure to pass that along 😉
@@chrissgardiner haha. No sir! I just try to switch up the hockey logos based on company headquarters of the review I’m doing. For British products I use Manchester United. Haha. Sorry about that! I’m a Canadian, eh?
Hello! Really good reviews you do on your channel! An important piece of information regarding Oktava 012. Warning!!! Beware of copies from China that are identical in appearance! Doesn't sound like the original at all, good to know! //Magnus
Unfortunately, yes, Quality Control of Oktava is poor (I'd understand that if the company was 5 or 10 years old, not 90+). 3 years ago bought their MK-119, and after 6 sessions there was some abnormal hiss and random pops like someone breathes on diaphragm. They repaired it, pops and hiss disappeared. MK-012 (hypercardioid and cardioid) is truly rock solid choice, totally agree. Your parents made right choice.
When listening to this mic, the same thing always happens to me: At first I love it, but after a minute or two, it begins to sound ... well ... foul, somehow, for lack of a better word. And this impression stays with me. It's just not for me.
That was an absolutely great review with history and a lot of humorous extras. I planned on using it for webcam zoom interviews. Looks like it'll be a fine choice. I used to be a location sound mixer for indie films and national broadcast news. Funny story, when I was was just starting out about 8 years ago, the boom mic dropped and mic was broke. I got a replacement part to fix and it worked. The production company said I could keep it. I actually let a foley artist borrow it for over a year and it has served them well as well.
@@TheRecordist Same here. Some people like using it on acoustic guitar. I'm not much of a musician though, but it does sound good with it. I thought about modding it, but I heard it's a bit hit or miss and only nominal change. I would be able to hear the difference, but probably not worth the trouble for me at the moment.
I've been looking at some expensive mic's and well, didn't even realize this was a contender until hearing the warmth from it. Between @CurtisJudd video on it and yours, I'm very impressed....except for the possibility of being disappointed with a lemon.
Hey. Yes indeed. Warm is the best word to describe this mic. Very very warm. I really love it and it sure has its place in my kit. Thanks for watching!
A lot of work, but this was an awesome video! And I was amazed by the quality of this mic when it was used from such a distance. Question: do you make cables yourself? When you need a special cable for instance like an Y cable or a 3.5 mm adapter for your Zoom h1n? Do you uses silver solder in that case because you mentioned that you used that for making your terminators. And can you hear the difference when something is silver soldered??
I don’t think you can hear a difference with silver solder. I just think it lasts longer-less patina with age. I do make my own guitar cables but I have yet to make my own XLR cables. So far in my life I have been buying them. I plan to make my own quad cables. Way cheaper.
Hi there. Yes it’s a great little mic! Just be sure there’s a return policy. Just in case you get a dud. There have been known duds out of the factory. But if you get a good one, you’re good to go. Cheers!
Thank you so much for trying it out in the kitchen, I had only seen studio examples but in studio they all sound good so I got a better idea of how good it sounds.
@@TheRecordist Oh crap. I have my dogs outside of the house that are barking all day long. Do you think cardioid oktava set, faced away from those sounds would be bad/not optimal, decent/managable or great? Thanks for responding btw. You're awesome.
@@nikolawesthemkg hey no worries! I think the Hypercardioid polar pattern of the Oktava is much better for that than, say, a regular cardioid condenser, but not optimal. If I were you, I would look at a dynamic mic. I highly recommend the Shure SM57 with a pop filter like the Shure AW2S or even the Shure A81WS large pop filter. You would need to have the SM57 much closer to your mouth for optimal performance. And of course an interface. But it doesn’t require phantom power and it’s only $100. If you have more money to spend, then I recommend the Shure SM7dB. Hope this helps!
@@TheRecordist Thank you so much. One last question. If I wanted to have a mic outside of the shot since I"m teaching and it's not optimal to have my mic close to my mouth - what would you recommend taking into consideration the noise that the dogs make outside of the room.
@@nikolawesthemkg in that case, a Hypercardioid like the Oktava Mk-012 might be the best option - or a shotgun mic like a Sennheiser 416, a Røde NTG3 or a Deity S-Mic 2 or S-Mic 2s. The last shotgun I listen might be the cheapest. Shotgun mics are great for filtering out sounds around them, but they also create a warble-like effect if the reflections in the room bounce off the walls and into the sides. But not really anything terrible.
Just wanted to drop a comment saying your channel is gold! Loved the little sketch, and the previous one I saw in the mkh 416 video (the blimp in the sky). So funny! Greetings from Sweden
I paused the video to write too early. Now the guitar part. I was amazed by how well you played, and how well the mike sounded.. and then came the lyrics 😂
The Oktava MK-012 is a great mic! The tentacle track E is also a great product. You can’t go wrong at all. Just remember that the Oktava is an XLR mic and needs phantom power (48v) to operate. Other than that, there’s no question the Oktava kicks the snot out of the VideoMic. Thanks for watching!
@@TheRecordist ahh I’d need to find a recorder that has phantom power. I have WaveXLR… but I don’t want to run it through PC to record. (Use it for live streams)
@@AJCoReTV a cheap recorder that has XLR inputs and phantom power is a Zoom H5 and similar. Here’s a review I did on the H5: ua-cam.com/video/G54JMmfHD80/v-deo.html Alternatively, you could go for a Zoom F3. Much better preamps in that guy. I generally stay away from Tascam as they tend to have RF interference issues. Both can be used to interface with your computer if you need it. Hope this helps!
Have you tried getting one of the premium oktava mods from Bill Sitler? If you have soldering skills there's a DIY kit as well. There's also a newer preamp that has the low cut filters built in. Also, you might want to try oktava-shop from Germany. The shipping is honestly faster than what you described and you get the benefit of a weak euro.
That’s a great tip about Germany. Thanks! As far as the mod, this Oktava is a newer one and as I’m told, doesn’t require the mod because Oktava started making them with the mods from the factory. I remember seeing a video from the Microphone Boutique or something. I would just use the low cuts on my recorder or in post so I’m not too worried about the preamp (mic body) having that. But none the less, this is fascinating info. Thanks for letting me know!
@@TheRecordist thank you very much for the answer, how does the defect manifest? I hope is ok,i buy new 😀but is made in RUSIA😆defectiv control is posible too not see all
@@mariusdocea438 well just make sure they have a return policy. It’s all static after the first couple of uses if it’s a bad one. Other than that, it works for years. Good luck!
Hey. This a great and fun review. Congrats for your creativity, it makes your channel really unique! It's been a while i'm booming and mixing for multiple on screen projects and I want to invest in a proper pencil mic for interior dialogues (as I am literaly struggling to mix shotgun audio in echoey spaces -> It literally costs me HOURS of headaches in the mixing stage). Regarding my budget, I do consider the mk012 but I've got a few questions for you. I read everywhere that the mk012 is kinda tricky to operate on set as it is very sensitive to handling noises. We are a small crew (like many) and often shot complicated scenes (in terms of blocking and environment). Does a good shockmount will save my ass? I don't really want to use a physical hp filter (as many I prefer to adress any issue in post). Plus, what about the self noise (I'm using a mixpre6 II at the moment)? I also read that the mk012 tends to get thinner very quickly when booming from afar (more than other brands apparently). What is your take on all that? Did you use it on a real set recently? Thanks for all and keep up your great work!
Hey there. Thanks for the compliments! I have not yet tried the MK-012 on a real set as I only months ago received it. But I have done some extensive tests with it that included booming my own self on my own little set (as seen in the video) Yes, the handling noise is a problem, but with a good shock mount and good technique, its possible to mitigate some of the handling noise. I also do not use the physical HP filter as I prefer to do that in post--unless for some reason I am dependant on the limiter and don't want to keep tripping it. The self noise is higher than some but lower than others. Officially its 18dBA. I find it easy to remove in post with just the Waves Clarity plugin (the $29 cheap one). The noise isn't really a problem for me. However, these mics have poor quality control so be sure to test it fully and a few different days/times before keeping it. I have gone through 3 of them so far. Yes, the MK-012 does get thinner from afar--as many mics do. It's not an MKH-50, but it can sound close to one sometimes. Generally, the Oktava is better than all other low-cost mics for on-set booming, IMO. The next level would be a lot more money. It has a warmth that is hard to get at that price point. It's worth having in your kit, as long as you don't get a dud. I hope this helps!
Thanks for the top-notch review: I bought an MK 012 cardioid recently, but then wondered if I should return it for the Film edition instead. Your review confirmed that I bought the right one. That said I think (again based on your review) that I may buy a hypercardioid capsule for specific voicing. Very pleasantly surprised at how good it sounds.
Hey thanks, Jack! The hypercardioid is nice. It’s got a tighter beam and really reaches the voice nicely. The cardioid is perfectly fine for many applications too. You made the right call. Thanks for watching!
@@TheRecordist You're welcome. One thing I wanted to ask: what camera did you use to film that scene beginning 11:27 if you don't mind me asking: it looks very cinematic and picks up colours and light very well.
@@jackspring7709 yes. That’s just a Canon M50 camera with a sigma 30mm lens. I just managed the light as best as I could. I also used a layer of film grain over top.
@@TheRecordist, It’s a paradox that even here not everyone knows this microphone or buys microphones of worse quality, of German or other origin. You are great! I left a comment above in Russian, for which this Tula microphone was originally created! In general, Tula is famous more for gingerbread, samovars and weapons!) The left-hander who was able to shoe a flea - a Tula story! Thanks again for the great microphone reviews!
@@TheRecordist , Thanks to your efforts, I ordered myself a factory stereo pair MK-012-01 in a wooden box. I hope you like it! It's surprising that this happened not without your Canadian help) I started listening to how they write and realized that I don’t need Chinese or German microphones) Delivery on the 16th. There is a two-year warranty and there is post-warranty coverage; they even repair microphones from the 70s... A pair of microphones cost approximately US$290. Therefore - thank you very much!
Just dropping in to say I think it's a great idea to film a little scene using the mic. Showing it in use in an actual scenario is super helpful. Thanks!
Hey thanks, Jeff! I appreciate the comment! Cheers!
You are great
Thanks very much!
My god! You are fantastic! Subscribed!
Oh hahaha. Thanks so much! I really appreciate you taking the time to say that! I’m just a little channel but I hope to grow big someday! Cheers!
I love my Oktava!! I lecture with it. I use a pop filter though. The pop filter changed the coloration of my voice just the way I wanted it. This mic needs the pop filters!! Thanks!
Woo hoo! That’s fantastic!
OMG this is the perfect dialogue sound. I thought the 416 was it, but that one sounds much more sibilant and harsh than this one.
This mic has the PERFECT mid-range sound that accentuates the voice. WOW.
It’s a great mic! And one that many location sound recordists use for a budget mic.
FYI, there was more than one vendor for Oktava mics in North America, unless that was a comment to say, don't bother with the other vendors.... lol. I was able to get my Oktava MK-012 with the omni, cardioid and hyper cardioid capsules from Studio Economik in Montreal when I bought it a few years ago, but they have since halted all sales of any Russian imports in support of the Ukrainian people. I could not hear much of the reflections until the mic was boomed 3 feet away and then the reflections were obvious. The hat skit was friggin hilarious.... My favorite new microphone and audio gear review channel by far. And remember, let it go free whenever the need be.... Even the Queen farted dude.
Hahaha. Thanks, man! Yes indeed Studio Economik! I’ve bought plenty of gear from there! My MixPre recorders were from there too!
But yeah, it was weird about the whole Russian mic thing at the time, but it’s a mic, and not a gun or something. Haha.
Thanks for always watching!
That was the most entertaining review I have seen! Great job and excellent review!
Hahaha. Thanks so much! Cheers!
That hat skit....hats off to you. Thanks for an entertaining review.
Haha. You’re very welcome! Cheers!
Great🤝🏻
Thanks so much!
i got the mk012 (not the film edition) and it sounds great but, at the distance at which you place it, i can´t seem to get rid of room noise if the gain is high enough to pick up my voice well. Any guidance will be welcome! thank you in advance
Hey. That’s a common issue. Here’s how that’s dealt with:
1. It’s always best to reduce room reflections (reverb) in any booming situation first - just to be sure you’re getting a cleaner signal. Using moving blankets on the floor out of site really helps.
2. A noise reduction plugin used in post. From Waves Clarity to UAD C-Suite C-Vox to Izotope RX. Even Davinci Resolve has a dialogue Isolate plugin that’s built in. This will reduce the room noise and reverb and all kinds of unwanted noise and will focus on voice. Then, you want to put back controlled room noise on a separate track. This hides any digital manipulation artifacts and makes it feel natural. Room tone is something that many location recordists try to capture when on set - if everyone will be quiet long enough to get it.
Hope this helps! Cheers!
Seems they aren't available at the moment. Too bad!!
They aren’t? Is that Oktava USA?
I had one. Sounded good in front but boy the off axis sound was nasty in noisy environments. Would be ok in a quiet room. Ended up using a high end cardioid in the noisy environment as the dialogue was much clearer. Boycott Russian tech though as their taxes go to bombing Ukraine 🇺🇦
Yes. I was unaware of the Russia thing when I made the video. My apologies. Another reviewer told me about that a couple of months ago. State owned. Better to find one on the used market if you want one badly. Thanks for watching!
@@TheRecordist Unfortunately, Ukrainian propaganda hides the true causes of the war. They don’t tell you that since 2014 they have been shooting the civilian population of Donbass (a part of Ukraine that separated due to the coup d’etat). They certainly won’t tell you about the 14,000 civilians of Donbass who died. Taken Carlson's unbiased interview with Iladimir Putin about the causes and consequences will be released soon.
Comparing this video with MKH 416 of yours made me think why would anyone want muffled Oktava.
Hi Alice. Well, it’s all about carving out the sound you want with EQ. Some mics can take it well, and some can’t. The Oktava is great with EQ.
A lot of people new to sound prefer the brighter mics because it seems to sound crisper. But as one’s ears get trained, one tends to appreciate flatter or even darker mics.
But yes, the 416 is a crisp mic!
@@TheRecordist Still, when I saw test from Curtis Judd where Oktava was remarkably noisy even when compared with RØDE NT5. I just believe it is always easier to "throw a pillow on speaker" rather than raise trebles. Add Octava's bad noise and then... rather start alchemy with expanders/gates/AI magic.
@@AliceVixie well, noise is less of an issue these days. I sometimes have noisy mics and I don’t use expanders or gates. I use plugins like Waves Clarity. I never use AI. I just carve the sound with my ears and a parametric EQ. The Oktava is a great blank canvas.
I stress all this because a lot of people can’t afford the $1000 416. The Røde NT5 is entry level. The Røde NTG3 is much better but is $700. Both the 416 and the NTG3 are shotgun mics, which when indoors can have some issues due to room reverb and the interference tube. Small diaphragm condenser mics are the first choice for indoor shoots.
Another great mic that is somewhat better than the Oktava is the Line Audio CM4. Hand made. Cheap. Wonderful.
@@AliceVixie Oktava's are great for SFX gathering. If you have a 416 use that first for dialogue but otherwise the Oktava's are very easy to eq. Mine are older (1990's) and not noisy at all.
Wow those 2 and 3 foot recordings are amazing! I literally said wow out loud. Most mics are hollow sounding at any distance beyond a few inches but it sounds great.
I agree. Amazing eh? Nice warm mic with great reach!
What a great video, brother. Suscribed!
Hey thanks so much! Cheers!
billiant review and lovley entertainment. Thank you.
Hey thanks so much! I really appreciate it!
Do you think low-cut module is necessity or just nice to have? If recording in 32 float 48khz etc will it be the same if low cut in post?
The low cut filter module is not a necessity. I never use it. The same exact things can be done on your recorder or in post. The only reason you’d want that is if somehow what you’re recording has a deep rumble that’s tripping the limiter in your recorder. Otherwise, it can easily be done in post.
i really love your voice and also this mic but its quite hard to find it nowadays.. i really want one 😢😢
Oh thank you! Where in the world are you? Maybe I could direct you to find one. I’ll have a look.
@@TheRecordist thank you sir.. i'm from Malaysia 😁😁
@@KotakNyaman hi Kotak. Ok, I’ve reached out to my Oktava contact and when he responds I’ll let you know. Fingers crossed!
@@TheRecordist really appreciate that.. thanks a lot 🤩🤩
Cheers!
Great video! Hard to deny the quality vocal sound of the mic. Would be interesting to hear your take on the (American) Avantone CK1, which may be able to compete with it on sound quality- if not on build quality- at a lower price point. Oh wait, here's the Rode NT5... Hmm... Feel some GAS coming on...
Hahaha. GAS is a real killer! I’m interested in the CK1. I’ll look into testing it out. Thanks for the suggestion!
NT5 is an alright mic. Not amazing but not terrible. I’ve had a chance to try it out once. I’m more fond of the Line Audio CM3 or CM4 if we’re going regular cardioid SDC (if we’re talking budget mics). Alternatively, there’s the Neumann KM184’s and the like, but that’s some serious coin. Oh the GAS!
So I am watching one of these on ebay for a steal and decided to see if there were any new videos about this mic. Here you are, within 30 minutes from looking for such videos you posted yours. I really like your style and appreciate your demonstration. Boosting the volume in post at longer distances was very impressive for the mic. I can't wait to get mine, and I am looking at your other videos for entertainment as well as the demonstrations. Subbed.
Hey thanks for the sub! I have wanted to get my hands on an Oktava MK-012 for a long time. It’s the secret production mic that so many pros use indoors. I’m so glad I posted just in time for you!
The older Oktavas needed a mod done to them to make them sound as good as they do in my video. But the newer ones have altered it to include the mod people were getting done. So make sure to purchase one that’s not the old style. I’m not sure of the year they made the change, though.
Also, in the early 2000s there were Chinese knockoffs and everyone was worried about getting a fake one. Just make sure you’re not getting swindled.
Reverb has them for a decent price sometimes and they come directly from the German official store.
Thanks for watching!
@@TheRecordist - Reverb is our friend. ;) Thanks for the info. I too came across that in my research on these mics. They are a great deal...performance wise, even when money is not on hand for one. I bought a few new lights, upgrading my lighting game, and was able to convince my wife what a great deal they are (performance vs. price) and even one of them for a discount. However....it all adds up and the 3 lights combined are about my allotment for a while. Yeah, been drooling for an MK-012 for a year now.
@@northcoaststudios indeed. The lights are a must-have. What did you go with? I’ve got some Godox video lights but am interested in the new SmallRig ones.
It’s one piece at a time, man! You’ll get there!
@@TheRecordist - My first light was an Amaran 100d. It has been invaluable on a couple might time scenes as well as some indoor scenes.
The second light I got was the Amaran P60C. This has turned out to be the light I grab first on many shoots for narrative film. I can get any color at insane levels of saturation for horror scenes, and also match any color white light. The included softbox makes it seem less like a panel light. Output is awesome, and being able to us, and charge, batteries on this light has been a life saver sometimes.
The third light is an Amaran 60d. For the times I don't need the output of the 100d the 60d is fantastic, and is easily battery powered as well when needed. I will likely buy at least one more of these as well as a 60x.
I have a nice set of gels to use on the COB lights, so getting lights that are bi-color was not a high priority for me. The 60x will be merely a convenience.
I also got an Anker 300 watt power station to power the 100d when I don't have household power available. Anker sells them on ebay listed as "refurbished" when in actuality they are merely "open box" items that were returned because they can no longer be sold as "new." New they are $460 USD, but on ebay you can get them for $250 - $275, open box. I saw a reviewer pull out a 10 year old Anker power station that still worked like the day he bought it, so I had no hesitation buying one that just sat on the shelf on display for a few months.
The power station enables me to power more than the one light when not using them at 100% output. As long as I don't hit 300 watts. The magic of LED lights. I have a number of old 350 - 500 watt tungsten lights, but the LED lights take their place in output.
@@northcoaststudios that’s some nice gear, man! I’m interested in the P60C now. Haha.
Thanks for the video. I've bought MANY Oktavas over the years. They're great mics soundwise, but the quality control is atrocious. I'd say about half of the Oktavas I owned died for no obvious reason (sometimes dead out of the box) and exhibited exactly the same crackling/fizzing noise featured in this video. So, great mics.... when they work! It's a crapshoot, but try them. You might get lucky. Keep your receipts though.
Boy you nailed it! This is now my third Oktava Mk-012. The first two died-including the one in the video you just watched. The very next time I plugged it in, it was doing that noise. I sent it back to Oktava USA and he was kind enough to exchange it again for me. At this point I can’t recommend anyone buy these that don’t have a guarantee and the time to exchange them. There must be some fix when these mics get noisy. Is it a loose connection? Can they be repaired by hand? Otherwise, they’re fantastic sounding mics.
Thanks for chiming in!
People listening on $15 headphones on integrated sound card: THIS SOUNDS LIKE SHIT!!!
Hahahaha. Likely so!
I had just picked up an MKH416 (and yes, I saw your review hehe) and after testing it out, I didn't feel like it was what I needed. Especially at a $999 price tag. So I'm going to be returning it. Maybe in the future I'll reconsider it. But for the time being, you've got me very interested in the Oktava, especially at less than 1/3 the price. Thank you for the great content as always ❤
Hey thanks! Yes the Oktava is very popular for many recordists just starting out and pros alike. It’s definitely a warmer sound. If you do get one, let me know how you like it!
And if you purchase through OktavaUSA then tell them I sent you! Haha.
@@TheRecordist Maybe that's what I'm more going for with more warth. While the 416 did sound super nice and clear especially at close proximity, it was a bit thinner than I was expecting (not that it couldn't be adjusted in post). And if I get it, I'll be sure to pass that along 😉
@@chrissgardiner haha. Wicked! Cheers!
@@TheRecordist Speaking of WICKED...I see the Boston logo...are you ALSO a New Englander? 👀 If so.. *waves from Rhode Island*
@@chrissgardiner haha. No sir! I just try to switch up the hockey logos based on company headquarters of the review I’m doing. For British products I use Manchester United. Haha. Sorry about that! I’m a Canadian, eh?
Hello!
Really good reviews you do on your channel! An important piece of information regarding Oktava 012. Warning!!!
Beware of copies from China that are identical in appearance!
Doesn't sound like the original at all, good to know!
//Magnus
Hey thanks for the tip! I do know about the Chinese fakes. I bought through Oktava USA. But this is good information for others!
Unfortunately, yes, Quality Control of Oktava is poor (I'd understand that if the company was 5 or 10 years old, not 90+). 3 years ago bought their MK-119, and after 6 sessions there was some abnormal hiss and random pops like someone breathes on diaphragm. They repaired it, pops and hiss disappeared.
MK-012 (hypercardioid and cardioid) is truly rock solid choice, totally agree. Your parents made right choice.
I fully agree! And yes, my parents nailed it! Thanks for watching!
When listening to this mic, the same thing always happens to me: At first I love it, but after a minute or two, it begins to sound ... well ... foul, somehow, for lack of a better word. And this impression stays with me. It's just not for me.
Of course! Some people dislike Neumann U87 mics and others love it. It’s a matter of taste and preference. Cheers!
That was an absolutely great review with history and a lot of humorous extras. I planned on using it for webcam zoom interviews. Looks like it'll be a fine choice. I used to be a location sound mixer for indie films and national broadcast news.
Funny story, when I was was just starting out about 8 years ago, the boom mic dropped and mic was broke. I got a replacement part to fix and it worked. The production company said I could keep it. I actually let a foley artist borrow it for over a year and it has served them well as well.
Hey thanks so much!
That’s a cool story. Which mic was it?
@@TheRecordist Same mic as yours. Oktava MK-012 hyper cardioid.
@@paracite really awesome “old style” mic eh? Has incredible warmth in the low end. I really like the Oktavas.
@@TheRecordist Same here. Some people like using it on acoustic guitar. I'm not much of a musician though, but it does sound good with it.
I thought about modding it, but I heard it's a bit hit or miss and only nominal change. I would be able to hear the difference, but probably not worth the trouble for me at the moment.
@@paracite well the new Oktavas come with the mod already done, or so I’m told. They changed that about 10 years ago or so. That’s what I hear.
I've been looking at some expensive mic's and well, didn't even realize this was a contender until hearing the warmth from it. Between @CurtisJudd video on it and yours, I'm very impressed....except for the possibility of being disappointed with a lemon.
Hey. Yes indeed. Warm is the best word to describe this mic. Very very warm. I really love it and it sure has its place in my kit. Thanks for watching!
Great video. Thanks for the helpful review. Also, you seem to channel the late Robin Williams. Both in the eyes and warm personality.
Wow thanks so much! That’s an honor! It’s funny, I get many comments saying the exact same thing as you did. Thanks again!
Thank you for this wonderful review!😉👍
You’re very welcome! Cheers!
A lot of work, but this was an awesome video! And I was amazed by the quality of this mic when it was used from such a distance. Question: do you make cables yourself? When you need a special cable for instance like an Y cable or a 3.5 mm adapter for your Zoom h1n? Do you uses silver solder in that case because you mentioned that you used that for making your terminators. And can you hear the difference when something is silver soldered??
I don’t think you can hear a difference with silver solder. I just think it lasts longer-less patina with age.
I do make my own guitar cables but I have yet to make my own XLR cables. So far in my life I have been buying them. I plan to make my own quad cables. Way cheaper.
Came for the review, stayed and subbed for the dad jokes. 😂
Hahaha. Thanks so much! Cheers!
Amazing sound quality! I can't afford the MKH 50, so I guess I need to save for this one.
Hi there. Yes it’s a great little mic! Just be sure there’s a return policy. Just in case you get a dud. There have been known duds out of the factory. But if you get a good one, you’re good to go. Cheers!
@@TheRecordist Thank you, I didn't know that!
Thank you so much for trying it out in the kitchen, I had only seen studio examples but in studio they all sound good so I got a better idea of how good it sounds.
That’s why I did that. That’s wonderful! Glad I could help! Cheers!
Is it good for having online classes like Preply, Zoom, Skype, Google Meet etc?
Yes. This mic would serve you for that purpose. As long as the background noise (cars, dogs, etc) isn’t too loud.
@@TheRecordist Oh crap. I have my dogs outside of the house that are barking all day long.
Do you think cardioid oktava set, faced away from those sounds would be bad/not optimal, decent/managable or great?
Thanks for responding btw. You're awesome.
@@nikolawesthemkg hey no worries! I think the Hypercardioid polar pattern of the Oktava is much better for that than, say, a regular cardioid condenser, but not optimal.
If I were you, I would look at a dynamic mic. I highly recommend the Shure SM57 with a pop filter like the Shure AW2S or even the Shure A81WS large pop filter.
You would need to have the SM57 much closer to your mouth for optimal performance. And of course an interface. But it doesn’t require phantom power and it’s only $100.
If you have more money to spend, then I recommend the Shure SM7dB. Hope this helps!
@@TheRecordist Thank you so much. One last question.
If I wanted to have a mic outside of the shot since I"m teaching and it's not optimal to have my mic close to my mouth - what would you recommend taking into consideration the noise that the dogs make outside of the room.
@@nikolawesthemkg in that case, a Hypercardioid like the Oktava Mk-012 might be the best option - or a shotgun mic like a Sennheiser 416, a Røde NTG3 or a Deity S-Mic 2 or S-Mic 2s.
The last shotgun I listen might be the cheapest.
Shotgun mics are great for filtering out sounds around them, but they also create a warble-like effect if the reflections in the room bounce off the walls and into the sides. But not really anything terrible.
Sound great with violin and viola.
Oh yes! The MK-012 is fantastic on so many things!
Just wanted to drop a comment saying your channel is gold! Loved the little sketch, and the previous one I saw in the mkh 416 video (the blimp in the sky). So funny! Greetings from Sweden
I paused the video to write too early. Now the guitar part. I was amazed by how well you played, and how well the mike sounded.. and then came the lyrics 😂
Hahaha. Well thank you so much! I really appreciate you leaving these wonderful comments! You made my day!
I spent $250 on Rode VideoMic NTG… so I can just go 3.5mm into A7S3… no sync in post… but now considering this mic & tentacle track E! $$
The Oktava MK-012 is a great mic! The tentacle track E is also a great product. You can’t go wrong at all. Just remember that the Oktava is an XLR mic and needs phantom power (48v) to operate.
Other than that, there’s no question the Oktava kicks the snot out of the VideoMic. Thanks for watching!
@@TheRecordist ahh I’d need to find a recorder that has phantom power. I have WaveXLR… but I don’t want to run it through PC to record. (Use it for live streams)
@@AJCoReTV a cheap recorder that has XLR inputs and phantom power is a Zoom H5 and similar. Here’s a review I did on the H5: ua-cam.com/video/G54JMmfHD80/v-deo.html
Alternatively, you could go for a Zoom F3. Much better preamps in that guy.
I generally stay away from Tascam as they tend to have RF interference issues.
Both can be used to interface with your computer if you need it. Hope this helps!
This was so much fun to watch
Hey thanks so much!
Have you tried getting one of the premium oktava mods from Bill Sitler? If you have soldering skills there's a DIY kit as well. There's also a newer preamp that has the low cut filters built in.
Also, you might want to try oktava-shop from Germany. The shipping is honestly faster than what you described and you get the benefit of a weak euro.
That’s a great tip about Germany. Thanks!
As far as the mod, this Oktava is a newer one and as I’m told, doesn’t require the mod because Oktava started making them with the mods from the factory. I remember seeing a video from the Microphone Boutique or something. I would just use the low cuts on my recorder or in post so I’m not too worried about the preamp (mic body) having that.
But none the less, this is fascinating info. Thanks for letting me know!
@@TheRecordist Yes you’re right the newer ones are with the mod!
nice video..i buy 2 pic too use with my new Zoom F3
Two of them? I fully support that! But make sure they’re not defective. I’ve had some issues. Thanks for watching!
@@TheRecordist thank you very much for the answer, how does the defect manifest? I hope is ok,i buy new 😀but is made in RUSIA😆defectiv control is posible too not see all
@@mariusdocea438 well just make sure they have a return policy. It’s all static after the first couple of uses if it’s a bad one. Other than that, it works for years. Good luck!
That was a great skit. Too funny
Oh hahaha thanks!
Oh man the skit was awesome!!! I think I Want one now
Haha. Thanks so much! If you like a warm sound, it’s a killer mic. Thanks for watching!
Love your vids
Hey thanks so much! And thanks for watching!
Hey. This a great and fun review. Congrats for your creativity, it makes your channel really unique! It's been a while i'm booming and mixing for multiple on screen projects and I want to invest in a proper pencil mic for interior dialogues (as I am literaly struggling to mix shotgun audio in echoey spaces -> It literally costs me HOURS of headaches in the mixing stage). Regarding my budget, I do consider the mk012 but I've got a few questions for you. I read everywhere that the mk012 is kinda tricky to operate on set as it is very sensitive to handling noises. We are a small crew (like many) and often shot complicated scenes (in terms of blocking and environment). Does a good shockmount will save my ass? I don't really want to use a physical hp filter (as many I prefer to adress any issue in post). Plus, what about the self noise (I'm using a mixpre6 II at the moment)? I also read that the mk012 tends to get thinner very quickly when booming from afar (more than other brands apparently). What is your take on all that? Did you use it on a real set recently? Thanks for all and keep up your great work!
Hey there. Thanks for the compliments! I have not yet tried the MK-012 on a real set as I only months ago received it. But I have done some extensive tests with it that included booming my own self on my own little set (as seen in the video) Yes, the handling noise is a problem, but with a good shock mount and good technique, its possible to mitigate some of the handling noise. I also do not use the physical HP filter as I prefer to do that in post--unless for some reason I am dependant on the limiter and don't want to keep tripping it. The self noise is higher than some but lower than others. Officially its 18dBA. I find it easy to remove in post with just the Waves Clarity plugin (the $29 cheap one). The noise isn't really a problem for me. However, these mics have poor quality control so be sure to test it fully and a few different days/times before keeping it. I have gone through 3 of them so far. Yes, the MK-012 does get thinner from afar--as many mics do. It's not an MKH-50, but it can sound close to one sometimes. Generally, the Oktava is better than all other low-cost mics for on-set booming, IMO. The next level would be a lot more money. It has a warmth that is hard to get at that price point. It's worth having in your kit, as long as you don't get a dud. I hope this helps!
@@TheRecordist Yes, it does. Thanks for the detailed reply and your time!
@@charlesdanx8807 cheers!
You and Bandrew need to do a music collab.
Haha. That would be fun!
Awesome review
Thanks so much!
Thanks for the review!
Thanks for the mic! Cheers!
Thanks for the top-notch review: I bought an MK 012 cardioid recently, but then wondered if I should return it for the Film edition instead. Your review confirmed that I bought the right one. That said I think (again based on your review) that I may buy a hypercardioid capsule for specific voicing. Very pleasantly surprised at how good it sounds.
Hey thanks, Jack! The hypercardioid is nice. It’s got a tighter beam and really reaches the voice nicely. The cardioid is perfectly fine for many applications too. You made the right call. Thanks for watching!
@@TheRecordist You're welcome. One thing I wanted to ask: what camera did you use to film that scene beginning 11:27 if you don't mind me asking: it looks very cinematic and picks up colours and light very well.
@@jackspring7709 yes. That’s just a Canon M50 camera with a sigma 30mm lens. I just managed the light as best as I could. I also used a layer of film grain over top.
@@TheRecordist I see. Thank you. It looks very professional.
@@jackspring7709 well thank you, sir!
Отличное видео!
Очень чистый естественный звук!
Рад, что вам нравится!
Ваши родители сделали красивый подарок вам!
Поздравляю!
Thank you very much! It’s a great little mic!
@@TheRecordist, It’s a paradox that even here not everyone knows this microphone or buys microphones of worse quality, of German or other origin.
You are great!
I left a comment above in Russian, for which this Tula microphone was originally created!
In general, Tula is famous more for gingerbread, samovars and weapons!)
The left-hander who was able to shoe a flea - a Tula story!
Thanks again for the great microphone reviews!
@@UriRa interesting!
@@TheRecordist , Thanks to your efforts, I ordered myself a factory stereo pair MK-012-01 in a wooden box.
I hope you like it!
It's surprising that this happened not without your Canadian help)
I started listening to how they write and realized that I don’t need Chinese or German microphones)
Delivery on the 16th. There is a two-year warranty and there is post-warranty coverage; they even repair microphones from the 70s...
A pair of microphones cost approximately US$290.
Therefore - thank you very much!
@@UriRa that’s fantastic! And you’re very welcome! Enjoy!