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Gear / Technical Help => Microphones & Setup => Topic started by: cleantone on May 11, 2007, 02:15:49 PM

Title: Octava and Oktava
Post by: cleantone on May 11, 2007, 02:15:49 PM
What is the scoop? Why do I see this spelled two ways?
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: Brian Skalinder on May 11, 2007, 02:21:29 PM
Just a different translation/spelling.  You'll also see MC-012 or MK-012 as the model name, for example.  Same mics, AFAIK, unless something's changed since I owned mine years ago.
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: oleg on May 11, 2007, 02:40:45 PM
since in russian you write mikrofon  and oktava with k .
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: Sanjay on May 11, 2007, 02:53:55 PM
FWIW there are also the Chinese version, which I don't know how to identify.  Knockoff's of the originals.
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: cleantone on May 11, 2007, 03:05:53 PM
Thanks guys. That is what I thought.

Knock off huh? I heard about fake Shure SM57/58's being sold on ebay as well.
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: Krispy D on May 11, 2007, 03:25:02 PM
I have never seen the 'c' version only oktava or oktaba.  The chinese version are pretty easy to distiguish.  Besides missing a couple of key markings it will never come with the 10db pad (all mc-012 and mk-012 come with this pad) and almost always come with a cheap plastic clip.  All russian models come with a much nicer metal clip. 

Clinton, you buying some Oktavas?  If you have any question about weather a pair is genuine or not shoot me a PM.

Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: Krispy D on May 11, 2007, 03:26:15 PM
The chinese knock offs were being sold through guitar center for like $60 a piece or something rediculous for a while.  now they come up on ebay pretty frequently.

http://debris.com/journal/1274
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: TNJazz on May 11, 2007, 03:43:19 PM
What is the scoop? Why do I see this spelled two ways?

Because some people can't spell it right.   :P

It's Oktava.  No "c".

There's a page somewhere on Oktava's site on how to differentiate between the Russian originals and the Chinese knockoffs.  FWIW, in blind tests many people actually preferred the sound of the Chinese ones... :o
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: cleantone on May 11, 2007, 03:44:52 PM
Thanks TN. I sort of thought that was the case in the past. I am not buying any. I just got a Slip recording and was about to change the source info to fix the spelling to Oktava. Then I thought I would ask about it. Thanks guys.
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: Krispy D on May 11, 2007, 03:46:44 PM
What is the scoop? Why do I see this spelled two ways?

Because some people can't spell it right.   :P

It's Oktava.  No "c".

There's a page somewhere on Oktava's site on how to differentiate between the Russian originals and the Chinese knockoffs.  FWIW, in blind tests many people actually preferred the sound of the Chinese ones... :o

I just looked for it and couldn't find it (that does not mean it's not there   ;) )  It looks like they have a whole new site.  as well as some neat new items.  including a figure of 8 cap and a body for a four cap surround mic.  those lomi's always looked interesting to me as well.  I'm not going to get rid of my 012's any time soon.  once dorsey modded they are great sounding and it looks like they are only getting more versatile.  Red is making caps for the 012 body as well now.
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: TNJazz on May 11, 2007, 03:48:23 PM
it will never come with the 10db pad (all mc-012 and mk-012 come with this pad)

Actually this is not true.  I had a Chinese one a while back that DID come with the pad.  According to the web page it was most definitely not the Russian original either...

I'll look for the web page now.  I think it's buried somewhere...


EDIT:  apparently the web page has been removed.  It's not even available via the Wayback Machine.  I guess that means all Oktava's still out there are now real ones?   ::)
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: Krispy D on May 11, 2007, 03:50:33 PM
it will never come with the 10db pad (all mc-012 and mk-012 come with this pad)

Actually this is not true.  I had a Chinese one a while back that DID come with the pad.  According to the web page it was most definitely not the Russian original either...

I'll look for the web page now.  I think it's buried somewhere...

hmm news to me.  I stand corrected
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: ttrego2003 on May 11, 2007, 04:02:18 PM
go to oktava usa's page, there will be a page on how to tell between real and fake.
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: TNJazz on May 11, 2007, 04:08:35 PM
go to oktava usa's page, there will be a page on how to tell between real and fake.

it's gone.  they're redesigned their site.
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: ronpowell34 on May 12, 2007, 02:08:28 AM
there's a blind auditory test here (http://www.sound-patterns.com/mk012/).
Title: Octava and Oktava fake link
Post by: kirk97132 on May 20, 2007, 01:47:40 PM
http://oktava.tula.net/fake/
Title: Re: Octava and Oktava
Post by: spreetaper on May 21, 2007, 01:33:31 PM
i always thought mk ment as originally for sale in russia.. versus mc ment it was marketed towards the US and other western markets.. but i have no idea if that is correct or not

-matt