Topic: Thoughts on MK012

[chuckcage]

So a while back I picked up a set of MC012s during the GC $99 special.  I figured I'd use them to record my band when I'm using my C1000s onstage on the kit.  

The first few times I used them, I had this really annoying hiss in the recording.  I finally got around last week to recording a bunch of samples to see which mic (/capsule/body) was bad.  I talked GC into exchanging it, and the other night I recorded another of my performances with them.

(Interestingly, the one I got as a replacement says MK012, and their computer listed the MC012 as "discontinued."  I realize these are the same mics, but I wonder if later ones have better quality control than the early ones.  The replacement I got seems WAY more solid than the one it replaced.)

You know, I really like the sound of these mics, but I just can't get over how muddy the low end is.  If it was just for a little cleaner low end, I think these would be my primary mics instead of the C1000s.  

I hear lots of people saying "the Oktavas are WAY better than the C1000s," but I'd be interested in what detailed experiences everyone's had (positive and negative) with the 012s.

Chuck

[Chuck]

I'm on team Oktava. I've also got a pair of Josephson/MBHO's as well. This last weekend I recorded Mule/Phil at the Fillmore using Oktava's Friday and the MBHO's Saturday. I liked my Oktava (hyper) recordings better. I'm always amazed at the sound of these microphones. Especially the hyper-cardioid capsules. Don't let anyone tell you the Oktava's are inferior microphones. Quality control is/was an issue, but if you get a good set, they hold up very well against many others.

[Simp-Dawg]

i'm very happy with mine.

[wbaldwin]

I lovemine too, haven't made any, what I would call bad tapes.....  when the recording situation lended itself to producing a good one, if that makes any sense.

I'm listening to the Chris Robinson and New Earth Mud from Tampa right now, and I think it sounds fabulous

I also agree that the hypers generally rock, but for the MULE and NEM I used the cards....

[Tim]

I'm on team Oktava. I've also got a pair of Josephson/MBHO's as well. This last weekend I recorded Mule/Phil at the Fillmore using Oktava's Friday and the MBHO's Saturday. I liked my Oktava (hyper) recordings better. I'm always amazed at the sound of these microphones. Especially the hyper-cardioid capsules. Don't let anyone tell you the Oktava's are inferior microphones. Quality control is/was an issue, but if you get a good set, they hold up very well against many others.

I'd guess that the quality differences you heard had more to do with hyper v. card than oktava v. mbho. Maybe not though...

[Nicaragua]

I actually made the switch from c1000s to oktava.... i really love the sound of the oktava's but i don't really think they are amazingly superior to the c1000s....actually my main beef w/the akg's is that they are so freaking huge!  seriously they look like light sabres.  

so in short they are both quality mics

[Nicaragua]

oh yeah, i'm not real sure if the MK012 have any better quality control than MC012(i have MK's)

anyone ever have a problem like mine last night?  you know how you have to screw in the screws to open the mic body? well one of them screws mangaged to screw itself all the way inside.  you could hear it rattling around the inside.  if that screw touched something else inside everytime it would short out

getting into the mic body was a whole other story.  first i had to find a screwdrive that would fit in the tiny holes(ended up using a knife)  then i realize one of the screw heads had broken off.  well i eventually got that sucker open and got the rattler out, now everythings back to normal

[super-phat-al]

im makin the switch as we speak

[jpschust]

i dont use mine in the live venue but for drum overheads and they are a greaet throw around all purpose mic.