recordinghacks

Oktava MKL-5000

Multi-Pattern Tube Condenser Microphone

The MKL-5000 is a multipattern, large-diaphragm tube mic in the classic “bottle” format.

The capsule is a 34mm design, with twin 5-micron, 27mm diaphragms. The capsule is shockmounted within the headbasket assembly, which measures a large 64mm in diameter.

The microphone’s amplifier is a Class A tube circuit using a Russian 6Ж1П (EF95/6AK5) miniature pentode tube.

The tube power supply is described as “British designed,” but is manufactured in China, according to one of Oktava’s distributors.

A switch on the microphone body provides access to three polar patterns: cardioid, figure-8, omnidirectional.

The mic ships with a spider shockmount, tube power supply and power cable, in a padded metal flightcase.

SoundOnSound, 2004

The MKL5000 certainly boasts the usual valve qualities of a rich, full-bodied and musically flattering sound, although it’s clearly not in the same sonic league as, for example, the Neumann M149, the Blue Bottle, or the Brauner VM. Coming back to a more realistic UK price comparison, though, the most obvious competition comes from the impressive Rode K2, and a decision really would come down to personal preferences. The K2 has technically superior specifications and a slightly smoother, more polished sound, but the MKL5000 looks a lot more impressive (to my eyes) and has a character that may well appeal to some over its antipodean counterpart.

Permalink: Oktava MKL-5000

The mic was released in 2003.

Specifications

Frequency Response - OmnidirectionalClick Graph to Compare!
Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare!
Frequency Response - BidirectionalClick Graph to Compare!

Pickup Patterns	Pads & Filters
Omnidirectional (13 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Cardioid (13 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) Bidirectional (13 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz)

Capsule Dimensions	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 25mm Capsule diameter: 33mm Diaphragm gauge: 5 microns	200 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 135 dB Self-noise: 14.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
n/a	255mm (10.04'')	65mm (2.56'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Includes tube power supply

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