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OmnidirectionalCardioidHypercardioidBidirectionalJSC Oktava MK-012

MSRP: $250 Detachable-Capsule Pencil Condenser Microphone

JSC Oktava MK-012

Description

The MK-012 is one of the favorite pencil condensers of the online forum crowd, due to its reputation for besting more-expensive microphones in numerous studio applications such as drum overheads and acoustic guitar.

The mics are available singly or in matched pairs, in matte silver (nickel) or in black, with a variety of interchangeable capsules.

JSC Oktava, in Tula (Russia), manufactures cardioid, omni, and hypercardioid capsules, in addition to a hybrid Figure-8 design that looks a little like two cardioid capsules glued back-to-back.

Large-diaphragm (33mm) “Lomo” capsules are also available in the aftermarket, made by RTT.

In 2007 the company introduced a “film edition” of the microphone, which bundles the basic preamp body with a hypercardioid capsule and a detachable high-pass filter (in place of the -10dB pad that usually accompanies the microphone). Foam windscreens are also available.

Much has been written about the “Dorsey mod,” which was published in Recording Magazine in September 2003. Microphone guru Scott Dorsey revealed a series of component upgrades that he thought would make noticeable improvements to the sound of the mic.

Scott DorseyWith the Oktavas the electronics are actually very well designed and pretty ingenious, and there really aren’t too many substantial topology changes that need to be made… but there are some things that can be cleaned up.

Back issues of this magazine are sold out. The publisher is not interested in distributing additional copies, although legal PDF copies can sometimes be purchased on Ebay, and not-legal reproductions turn up on the web from time to time if you dig around. Note, however, that the parts list in the article is now out-of-date.

Michael Joly of Oktavamod has created his own “Premium Electronics” upgrade for the MK-012; see the link in the sidebar. Michael has a great reputation in the online forums, and my personal experience is that this is an extraordinary upgrade. (Disclaimer: I am a customer, but this is not a paid endorsement.)

If you are shopping for MK-012s, be aware of the counterfeit Chinese Oktavas controversy, about which more can be learned here.

By our estimates, retail prices on the MK-012 have risen nearly 40% since late 2005, due no doubt to increasing demand for this microphone. Unfortunately, the days of $89 blowouts at Guitar Center seem to be a thing of the past.

The JSC Oktava MK-012 is also known as: MK012, MK-12, MC012, MC12, MC-012.

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
  • Cardioid (20 - 18,000 Hz)
  • Omnidirectional (20 - 20,000 Hz)
  • Hypercardioid (20 - 20,000 Hz)
  • Bidirectional (20 - 20,000 Hz)
  • Pad: -10dB (Detachable)
  • Filter: Low cut (Detachable)
Diaphragm size Impedance Max SPL
17mm (0.67'') 300 Ohms (Low (50-1000 Ohms)) 130 dB
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
85g (3.00oz) 123mm (4.84'') 23mm (0.91'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires Phantom Power
  • Phantom voltage: 48v

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