Author Topic: Oktava MK012 /vs/ Studio Projects C4 (Read 8919 times)

Sharky · « **on:** January 27, 2004, 08:38:05 PM »

I am trying to decide between the Oktava MK012 and Studio Projects C4 microphones. Both on paper seem fairly similar. The only thing that sticks out is that the Oktavas are not matched. I really dont consider this a big problem. Do you? Do you guys have any info on these mics? I see that a lot of you are using the Oktava MK012's. Have any of you tried the Studio Projects C4?

From my research, this is what Im looking at...

Oktava MK012 (unmodded)
-3 screw on caps (card/hyper/omni)
-screw on -10dB
-no base rolloff
-unmatched from Guitar Center
-flimbsy carrying pouch
-no shock mounts (just clamps)
-no wind screen
-$320 after tax, et al

Studio Projects C4 (unmodded)
-2 screw on caps (card/omni)
-built in -10dB thumb switch
-built in base roll off thumb switch
(can't use both bass roll off and -10dB at same time)
-matched pair
-nice carrying case
-shock mounts included
-wind screens
-$350 after tax, et al

From this info, which would you go with? I plan on using them in their stock condition.

Thanks!

cfbarlow · « **Reply #1 on:** January 27, 2004, 08:46:40 PM »

you can get matched mc-012's from sound-room.com- they blow gc's out of the water.
I havn't heard the studio projects so i can't compare, but matched hypers, with no -10 pad, sound awesome to me.

jpschust · « **Reply #2 on:** January 27, 2004, 08:55:39 PM »

dont judge mics by their accessories (shocks and whatnot) judge them by the mic with card cap vs card cap, or omni vs omni. gotta compare apples to apples.

Sharky · « **Reply #3 on:** January 29, 2004, 11:12:23 PM »

no Studio Projects C4 owners in here?

olyrc · « **Reply #4 on:** January 30, 2004, 11:19:22 AM »

Quote from: Sharky on January 29, 2004, 11:12:23 PM

no Studio Projects C4 owners in here?

I've got the Oktavas and am happy with the results I've been getting.

Seems like I read a very positive review of some Studio Projects mics in this month or last month's issue of Recording Magazine or EQ Magazine or one of those - can't remember which.

kgreener · « **Reply #5 on:** January 30, 2004, 04:15:59 PM »

Funny you should ask about the C4's, I too was debating between these two sets and ended up going with the Oktavas, probably for the plain fact that most folks here on TS had been using them successfully, and I couldn't find much feedback on the C4's other than what you will read below. The following are two review links to Mojo Pie for both of these mics, and below that is info I got from a dealer on the web who, in his own words, compared the two microphones.

I hope this is helpful.

peace,
Keith

P.S. I bought my Oktava's from Ken at Recording Services via eBay, who also does matching of the MK012's: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2375170040&category=15198

MK012: http://www.mojopie.com/mk012.html
C4: http://www.mojopie.com/c4.html

Hi Keith,

The consistency from mic to mic with the Studio Projects line is really impressive, and definitely unlike most of the Chinese-manufactured microphones for which the reputation exists.

Matched pairs, are indeed matched based on relative output levels... they are not based on scope matching as is the case with certain higher end brands such as AKG C451B's... this being said, overall, the mic to mic consistency with the Studio Projects mics is certainly superioir to the Oktava mics. Unless something has chnged in the last several months, the only matching available on the microphones tends to me hand matching available fom individual resellers (not something even offered by Oktava).

Additionally, the Oktava mics have been plagued with defective microphones, poor quality control, and intermittent problems. All of this being said, the Oktava mics do sound very good but definitely loose in clarity against the C4's. And clarity is often the key criteria in determining the quality of small diaphragm mics. "Warmth" as some refer to it is often due to apparent muddiness and lack of clarity. If you are looking to go with a pair of small diaphragm microphones, you should be looking for clarity and detail. If you are thinking that rather you are loking for warmth and color, large diaphragm mics are probably a better bet (although significantly more money in most cases).

My opt would be for the studio projects C4, but either way you go, assuming you get a pair that works and stays working, I think you'll be satisfied (of course something more likely if you go with the Studio Projects C4 in the first place!)

Hope this helps,

Todd
Sound Pure

Sharky · « **Reply #6 on:** January 30, 2004, 06:36:50 PM »

This really is a hard decision. I think Im gonna wait till monday to think about it some more.

Is a matched pair really that big of a deal wit the Octavas?

I cant imagine two mics from the same manufacturing plant sounding that much different.

jpschust · « **Reply #7 on:** January 30, 2004, 06:44:13 PM »

if you can hand match a pair at guitar center that is fine.

Tim · « **Reply #8 on:** January 30, 2004, 06:48:40 PM »

Quote from: Sharky on January 30, 2004, 06:36:50 PM

This really is a hard decision. I think Im gonna wait till monday to think about it some more.

Is a matched pair really that big of a deal wit the Octavas?

I cant imagine two mics from the same manufacturing plant sounding that much different.

apparently it's a pretty big issue with Oktava...

Neumann, Schoeps, DPA, AKG... I wouldn't really sweat it but anything coming out of China or Russia I would want matched.

jpschust · « **Reply #9 on:** January 30, 2004, 07:13:12 PM »

if you can hand match you are fine, especially in the field- studio is a bit different.

Jason B · « **Reply #10 on:** January 30, 2004, 08:25:51 PM »

Have you thought about the C1? It is large diaphragm and cardioid only. Nice sounding mic for the price.

Sharky · « **Reply #11 on:** January 31, 2004, 12:35:24 AM »

I am also using these mics for recording instruments in my home studio. The omnis works great for this.

"Hand match"?? What do you mean?

muj · « **Reply #12 on:** January 31, 2004, 02:37:03 AM »

Quote from: Jason B on January 30, 2004, 08:25:51 PM

Have you thought about the C1? It is large diaphragm and cardioid only. Nice sounding mic for the price.

it has a very brittle top.........the b1 is much better imho.

jpschust · « **Reply #13 on:** January 31, 2004, 03:28:30 AM »

hand matching is basically pulling out the bunch at guitar center and, in this case since you cant plot fq responses at GC :-), you plug em in and listen to each one, finding the two that sound the closest. in an ideal world we'd get to see fq mappings of each individual mic, but cant really do that in this situation.

Jason B · « **Reply #14 on:** January 31, 2004, 03:54:47 PM »

Quote from: muj on January 31, 2004, 02:37:03 AM

Quote from: Jason B on January 30, 2004, 08:25:51 PM
Have you thought about the C1? It is large diaphragm and cardioid only. Nice sounding mic for the price.

it has a very brittle top.........the b1 is much better imho.

On what application did you use it for? Male vocals, this mic sounds great. Overheads to boot.

Chanher · « **Reply #15 on:** February 11, 2004, 02:58:30 PM »

hey sharky, have you made a decision? it looks like I am in the exact same boat as you as far as looking for something for the field AND the studio at that price range.

Sharky · « **Reply #16 on:** February 17, 2004, 09:46:06 AM »

I decided to go with the Studio Projects C4's. Mainly because it seemed that I was getting more for my money. The Studio Projects C4 have a built in base roll off switch, they are a matched pair, includes a nice carrying case, shock mounts included, and wind screens. Plus with all the "dead on arrival" Oktavas I had heard about, i didn't want to chance it.

I havn't had a chance to record with them, so until then, who knows if I made the right decision. I will tell you how they do once I get a chance to try them out.

Chanher · « **Reply #17 on:** February 17, 2004, 11:18:20 AM »

cool, you should let me know, I just grabbed a pair of used gc mc012's and todd is moddifying them. I'll let you what's up, although it could be a while.

kev B · « **Reply #18 on:** February 17, 2004, 09:53:59 PM »

Quote from: Chris color on February 17, 2004, 11:18:20 AM

...I just grabbed a pair of used gc mc012's and todd is moddifying them...

How do you mod them? What do you gain?

Chanher · « **Reply #19 on:** February 17, 2004, 11:27:28 PM »

from the archival:

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=14;action=display;threadid=7055

a big thread from a while ago:

http://www.taperssection.com/yabbse/index.php?board=3;action=display;threadid=6603

Author Topic: Oktava MK012 /vs/ Studio Projects C4 (Read 8919 times)

jpschust

jpschust

jpschust

Jason B

jpschust

Jason B