Topic: Octava and Oktava

[cleantone]

What is the scoop? Why do I see this spelled two ways?

[Brian Skalinder]

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.

[oleg]

since in russian you write mikrofon  and oktava with k .

[Sanjay]

FWIW there are also the Chinese version, which I don't know how to identify.  Knockoff's of the originals.

[cleantone]

Thanks guys. That is what I thought.

Knock off huh? I heard about fake Shure SM57/58's being sold on ebay as well.

[Krispy D]

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.

[Krispy D]

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

[TNJazz]

What is the scoop? Why do I see this spelled two ways?

Because some people can't spell it right.   

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...

[cleantone]

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.

[Krispy D]

What is the scoop? Why do I see this spelled two ways?

Because some people can't spell it right.   

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...

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.

[TNJazz]

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?   

[Krispy D]

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

[ttrego2003]

go to oktava usa's page, there will be a page on how to tell between real and fake.

[TNJazz]

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.

[ronpowell34]

there's a blind auditory test here.