Oktava MC 012

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Oktava MK-012
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Detachable-Capsule Pencil Condenser Microphone

The Oktava MC012 is a transformerless FET condenser microphone. It was originally designed at the Russian Scientific Research Cinema & Photo Institute (aka NIKFI) in 1963. The mic’s original name, MK 012, was changed to MC 012 when exported to the West.

The mic consists of a head amplifier and a series of detachable capsules. Currently, a variety of compatible small-, medium-, and large-diaphragm capsules are available from Oktava and other manufacturers.

What is the difference between the MC-012 and MK-012?

The name of the MK-012 was changed to “MC-012” in 1992-1993, at the request of Oktava’s UK-based importer, A & F McKay Audio Limited. The “MC” prefix stood for “Microphone Condenser;” the “MK” prefix stood for the equivalent phrase in Russian: “Микрофон Конденсаторный.”

In 2004, following the dissolution of the McKay brothers’ import agreement with Oktava, the manufacturer reverted the mic to its original name, MK-012.

How has the MC-012/MK-012 circuitry changed?

The original 1963 design was changed 1983 (more details are forthcoming), and again in 1992. All mics labeled MC-012, and all the mics labeled MK-012 since 1992, use the same PCB and circuit design, pictured at right.

(PCB photo credit: Ashley C. Styles / Saturn Sound)

For additional MK-012 circuit history, see the MK-012 profile.

Did all MC-012 microphones have serial numbers?

Oktava began stamping serial numbers around the circumference of the XLR end of the microphone body in 2001. MC-012s manufactured between 1993 and 2001 had no serial numbers. MC-012s manufactured between 2001–2004 did have serial numbers.

The MC-012 shipped in a variety of configurations, but the most common included a metal mic clip, a detachable -10dB pad, and a detachable small-diaphragm Cardioid capsule.

Note that most, perhaps all MC-012 microphones showed the distributor’s “A.S.M.” logo below the factory logo on the microphone body.

Find a schematic for the MC012 / MK012, with suggested upgrades, within the ZAPNSPARK folder of the Yahoo “Micbuilders” group file archive (here).

The Oktava MC 012 is also known as: MC 012-01, MC-012.

The mic was released in 1992.

Specifications

Compatible Capsules

	Oktava MK-012 Cardioid 17.5mm Cardioid capsule Sensitivity: 10 mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: $65 \| Still In Production
	Oktava MK-012 Fig-8 17.5mm Bidirectional capsule Sensitivity: n/a mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: n/a \| Still In Production
	Oktava MK-012 Fig-8 Adapter 17.5mm Bidirectional capsule Sensitivity: 8 mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: $395 \| Still In Production
	Oktava MK-012 Hypercardioid 17.5mm Hypercardioid capsule Sensitivity: 10 mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: $85 \| Still In Production
	Oktava MK-012 Omni 17.5mm Omnidirectional capsule Sensitivity: 10 mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: $85 \| Still In Production
	Oktava MK-101 26mm large diaphragm Wide Cardioid capsule Sensitivity: 16 mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: $235 \| Still In Production
	Oktava MK-102 27.5mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule Sensitivity: 16 mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: $279 \| Still In Production
	Oktava MK-103 19.5mm Cardioid capsule Sensitivity: 7 mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: $245 \| Still In Production
	Oktava MK-104 27mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule Sensitivity: 9 mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: $300 \| Still In Production
	OktavaMod MJE-K47H large diaphragm Cardioid capsule Sensitivity: n/a mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: n/a MSRP: $349 \| Still In Production
	Red Microphones R12 34mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule Sensitivity: 50 mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: 20 - 18,000 Hz MSRP: $299 \| discontinued
	Russian Transducer Technologies M-1 28mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule Sensitivity: mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: n/a MSRP: $329 \| discontinued
	Russian Transducer Technologies M-3 28mm large diaphragm Cardioid capsule Sensitivity: mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: n/a MSRP: $329 \| discontinued