Oktava MK-012

I've been a musician for 20+ years. 17 of those years I've been recording. I currently use a Tascam 2488 multitrack recorder which I love for it's down to earth user friendliness. I have several microphones that I will use for different applications. The Oktava MK-012 is a microphone that I have been looking at for sometime before committing to buying. My skeptisim was of-course the fear of purchasing one of the counterfeits that were going around. I finally purchased from "Recording Services". I will be purchasing a second Oktava MK-012 from a guy named Warren at "ZenProAudio". Friendly and as helpful as anyone can be. Prices are right to. If you purchase this microphone, make sure you either purchase it straight from "OktavaUSA" or through one of the companies that "OktavUSA" recommends. If you go to their sight their recommended dealers are on their front page. "Vintage Microphone", "ProSound", "Recording Services", "Music Center", "IMS", "ZenProAudio", "FrontEndAudio" or "AllProAudio". This is a "five star" mic.. It compares to microphones five times its price.

I've been making music since 25 years, 13 years of them as member of a rock band, since 1991 also solo and choir singer

recording experience - semi-pro

recording equipment - Tascam DA38 and DA88, Nuendo

listening equipment - Syrincs M3-220

In 2005 I bought a set of two matched MK012 with three capsules (omni, cardioid and hypercardioid). They are used mostly for live recording of choir and orchestra or as solo mics for classical soloists in concert. My first Oktava was a used one which I bought via ebay - just to test it, it was very cheap and an original russian mic (don't remember the price). It suited well, so later I bought the matched pair. The sound comes near to the Neumann KM-series (o. k., you still have a difference, but consider the price!!) Does not match Schoeps, of course... I would recommend the Oktava for overhead (choir, orchestra, drumset...), also for acoustic guitar. Ideal for beginners - they get high quality at a fair price. Attention: Even if matched, there still might be a slight difference between both the mics of a pair - Neumann does this better!

Been a pro engineer musician for 25 years.

Use all pro stuff of the best quality.

I have both this Octava MK-012-01 which was an AMAZING value when I bought it years ago for about $100. Now on ebay they are twice as much.

I used to use Seinh. shotgun mikes at six time the price to record on location for pro video shoots. The Oktava is far superior. Plus, it can be used in the studio for fabulous results.

HOWEVER

Today I bought a MXL 604 which is a more versatile mike since it comes with an omni-directional capsule and a bass rolloff and -10db switch built into the mike.

Both mikes sound exactly the same. But the MXL costs $99, whereas the new Octava cannot be had for under $189 new anywhere.

MY recommendation would be to buy the MXL at this point since it will perform exactly the same at half the cost.

I have another "Marshall" (MXL)2001-P (beware there are many variations in the MXL/Marshall line up) large diaphram condenser that sounds excellent ($200) tonally a dead ringer for my $1000 Neumann TLM 103-- with the exception that the Marshall has barely slightly lesser output. Not a problem with the 604.

I have been recording for about 15 years.
I have yamaha o2r console going into a alesis hd24 recorder.
I monitor on genelec 1029 with a 1091 sub and also a pair of tannoy pbm8,s

These are condensers in a cardioid pattern.
I have used these on guitars, drum overheads and toms with the 10db pad wow the tom sounds.I also have some at 4041 condensers these are every bit as good those for guitar and drum overheads but to costly to try on toms. If you have these do your self a favor try them on toms you will not be let down nice attack and great bottom with some eq.

I have been recording music for 3 years in my own studio. Playing for 8 years and I have one hell of an ear for good tones. I am currently using a mackie 1604 vlz pro mixer and routing the signals from there into a couple of MOTU 896's and then to DP4 for tracking.

This mic is one friggin good deal for $50.00 a pop. I bought four of them and use them for all sorts of applications. On drums I use them to mic cymbals. With four, when there is a kit small enough, I will mic each cymbal individually. I like to mic all cymbals to be able to craft their tone and place them just right spatially. The pickup pattern on the cardioid pattern is so tight, bleeding is not an issue, especially when you roll off the low end at 3khz or so and isolate the cymbal sound. The tom mics pic up and ambience and the MK012's have all the attack and splash. The further away from the kit you mic, the more overall blend you can draw, but my style is to isolate each track and mic as much as possible. To get better isolated sounds, move the cymbals away from the drums and obviously there will be less bleed and more isolation. To bring a rant to an end. These mics are bad ass, especially for the $50 I got them for. I highly recommend these mics to all people, even if you are not Russian.

I have been recording live acoustic music for release and broadcast since 1984. I have used very expensive mics Neumann u87 etc and Nagra tape decks (before DAT and Hard disc recording. Now I teach at an art-based High School, Music and recording.
I have also spent a few years in the Audio Restoration business with a friend using Sonic Solutions with No-Noise. Alsoothrough all of this , I have been a Broadcast Engineer, 14 years with the local NPR affiliate including recording the local Symphony Orchestras.

I bought a pair of Oktava MC-012 (MK-012) mics after using three to record an Orchestra in a three spaced Omni configuration. Prior to using the Oktavas, I used three AKG C-451 mics with the omni capsules in the same configuration. The Oktavas sounded at least as clear and balanced at the AKGs.The Oktavas are a fraction of the cost of the AKGs. I did buy them recently at Guitar Center as they are the only soource outside of the web. I might buy the extra capsules fronm the sound room as they are the only source I know of.
Since purchasing them for far field recording, I have used them for drum overheads with a Jazz group and they picked up the majority of the kit with very high clarity. I also used them (today) as sound reinforcement mics for a set of Vibes with a Jazz combo. Also great clear sound, no feedback problems. I don't worry about matching mics as it seems to be for output level mostly and that is why we have gain controls. I would recommend these for just about any far field recording and also for previously mentioned uses. for acoustic guitar, i have used a MK-012 with a larger mic (Beyer M-500 ribbon) to get a large warm luscious sound.
I think that they are the best kept secret in mics today. The other is Heritage archtop guitars.BTW, I think that I have the "Chinese built" mics and don't care. If anything,they are a little more rugged than the Russion made pair I used to use from the Radio station. They sound identical to the Russian made mics.

Guitarist since 1995, engineer for 2 years now. Recorded a few bands.
Currently I use ProTools LE with a Digi002 Rack and RME Pre-Amps. Recording to a Dell PC (dislike Macs)
I am monitoring through Genelec 1030s and AKG K270S

I love the MK-012. I've got a stereo-pair with all three capsules directly from Russia and I love them. used them on drums, guitars, and LOVE them for vokals!! especially the omni.
They can be placed much easier than many other small diaphragm mics, since they are so small.
Wouldn't give 'em away for anything (unless it is enough to buy more of them :-))

I've been recording music for over 15 years, and am currently mixing thru KRK monitors which I think are fantastic monitors.

These mics are the best value out there hands down ! I have the extra caps with cardiod hyper and omni. They made my acoustic martin and gibson come alive and it sounds just like I'm sitting there playing it live. Better than any other mic I've ever used for acoustic guitar at any price ! I have not tried this mic on cymbals and overheads but I expect I will be pleased. Don't hesitate to buy a pair of these but make sure you buy from a dealer that will check and match the mics, I've heard that they are a little inconsistent. What a great pair of condenser mics !

*I have been making music for half of my life and recording for the past ten yrs.

*I majored in music and recording/sound in college and have worked professionally as an engineer for the past 5 years.

*Without making a big fuss and boring you all to tears, my current setup includes a Mackie 1604VLZ Pro and Alesis HD24 (field/remote) as well as a Mac and Motu's DP4.1/828mkii/Bias Peak 4 as home base.

I employ Alesis M1 active (mkii) monitors at home, but i have worked with Yamaha NS10s, EV and Genelecs in different studios. I feel that the M1s are close the NS10s, and active. I use AKG K240 and Sony 7506 phones as well.

The Oktava MK012 is a small diaphram condensor mic that comes stock with a cardioid capsule (hyper cardioid and omni capsules are also available and sold separately... I am talking about the stock cardioid pattern in this review).
The mics also ship with a removable 10 dB pad, which comes in handy for high SPLs, as well as solid mic clips (do not buy the Oktava shock mounts for them *CRAP!*, instead, save your money for the $100 Sabrasom Universal Stereo Shockmount system, which you can use with any mic). Also, like all condensor mics, you will need a phantom power source, and with the Oktavas you do not have the option of an internal battery.

I use the MK012s (I have a stereo pair) with a Sambrasom shouckmount system for applications such as drum overheads (x/y pattern) and acoustic guitar. I feel that this mic shines on both.

In a nutshell, I chose this pair of mics for the price and the reputation. If you are on a budget (most of us are), you will find that $199 for a pair of overheads to be a realistic expense. These mics do not sound as good as Nuemanns, but they have their own sound that works well for overheads and acoustic guitar.

I like the fact that I rarely use any EQ while recording with them (or mixing afterwards), though I have rolled off a little of the low end on the kit while mixing to crisp up the kick mic (I have also left them alone). I rarely use additive EQ, but I have added a dB or two in the high end from time to time.
These mics have a vintage sound to them (think Ringo's kit). On acoustic guitar, these mics shine at the 12th fret and bridge. If you have an acoustic guitar with a direct out, you can combine the piezo (or blemder, in my Taylor's case) with one of these mics and have a full, bold, and shimmering gtr sound. I have also heard that these mics sound good on a mic'd amp, but I have never used them for this application. I tend to use 57s, AKG414s, or my AT4047sv for cabinets. I can imagine that these mics will capture a wonderful clean tone. the MK012 also is a solid mic for stereo applications, but I feel that it falls short for vocals, due largely to the fact that the capsules "woof out" when large pockets of air hit them, rendering them a bad choice for close mic'd vocals. You may also damage the mic capsules if you "p" pop them enough.

I am posting this review because I believe that when you are starting out recording, microphones are always a big question. You should look to invest up to $1000 and pick up 5 microphones: a kick drum/bass mic (ex: AKG D112), a snare drum/electric guitar mic (ex: Shure Sm57), two small diaphram condensors for drum overheads/acoustic gtr/stereo applications (ex: Oktava Mk012), and a large diaphram condensor (ex: AKG414 *AWESOME MIC*used via HC or Ebay, or an AKGc3000B, AT4047sv, or the Studio Projects C1 if you can't swing the cash for the others). If you can't swing the large diaphram condensor, pick up a used SM58 on HC or Ebay for the time being.
you can always use it after the fact for background vocals, percussion, or as a hammer. As you can see, this setup will give you a well-rounded Mic closet, and enable you to record a variety of instruments. Couple these mics with a Mackie 1202 or Presonus Blue Tube stereo mic pre and you have a decent little "first" setup.

I believe that when talking about bang for buck, the Oktava MK012s are the deal. An excellent choice for a first pair of small diaphram condensor mics. I would give them a ten if we were talking solely about bang for buck, but since we are also talking about sound and everything else, for the money, I give them a solid "8".