Oktava MK 012 info and comparisons

Steve Shovlar

Steve Shovlar

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Hi all, I have been looking for an internal mic for dramatic work and have been waiting for a Schoeps CMC6 with MK41 cap to come up for a sensible price on Ebay, but am getting fed up with waiting, so I have decided to look for another make and model.

So how does the Oktava MK 012 compare to the Schoeps CMC6MK41? I know it's a lot cheaper but overall is it poor in comparison or a real steal at the price?

Another worry would be these fakes from China, and the difficulty in knowing if I have been ripped off or not.

I am considering this on Ebay.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Oktava-MK-012...ryZ41466QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

A good deal or not for a matched pair? The guy has good feedback so if they are dodgy Chinese rippoffs he hasn't been caught out yet.

Your thoughts please.
 
The link you posted has cardiod not hyper cap Oktavas. I am sure you can find a similar deal for hyper caps on ebay or at Sound Room.

What is a sensible price? You are almost guarenteed not to find Schoeps MK41/CMC6 on ebay and not much better luck finding at the typical used audio gear places. Even if you do, the price won't be that significantly discounted (10 percent off maybe). Where you might find a good deal is to go with the older Schoeps bodies like the CMC5 OR 4. While still hard to find, you can get a better price on those.

If you look several post below there is a thread and link on the fake Oktavas. http://oktava.tula.net/fake/

IMHO, the Oktava sounds way better then it costs but it does not play in the same league as the Schoeps. The Oktava works for most people and a lot of application if you outfit it right but you just can't compare these mics (again IMO). Take a listen for yourself and decide.

Steve Shovlar said:
I know it's a lot cheaper but overall is it poor in comparison or a real steal at the price?
Click to expand...

My opinion would be it is both; a real steal at the price but overall poor in comparison.

The buyer's remorse for Oktavas (non-fake ones) is probably next to nil since even if you upgrade to a better hyper later, the Oktava still can be used for lots of applications. I have two Oktavas that come out of my bag often enough that I wouldn't sell them.

Good luck
 
yeah, they arent in the same league, but the oktava seriously rocks, steve. Ive got one, and im seriously considering another, even though when I work I often use Schoeps mics that I rent (sadly, dont own any)...They are always a useful second or third mic, and they are actually really versatile (Ive used mine for interior dialogue, guitar recording, even voice over, once in a jam). So, if I was you, for now, Id just buy an Oktava - you'll love it. They really are killer little mics.

As far as Ebay goes, there are just some things that people dont really sell on Ebay - and CMC6-41s are one of those things. Like wabbit said, even when they do come along, they just arent really much cheaper than a brand new one.

The same is true of the oktava, they are there on ebay, but the price will almost def be the same as from sound room - but at least with sound room you KNOW you are getting an original, they offer dvxuser.com members a discount, and you can even get the super cool bella nero (black mk012).

Buy one - you WILL NOT regret it, even if you get a Schoeps later.
 
Thanks for the advice Tim and Wabbit. Frustratingly, there is a guy selling a CMC5 41 on ebay at the moment, but he won't sell it outside of the USA because he reckons it's too risky, even though I said I would pay via paypal straight away, and have a great feedback record. Very frustrating as its only at $700 at the mo and in good condition.

I have often purchased gear, only to upgrade it quickly as a better mic/light/camera has come along and in my price bracket. I feel the same could be said of the Oktava, although they are very cheap so not much to lose.

Thanks again guys.
 
I think that Wabbit summed everything up by saying that the buyers remorse for the Oktava is next to nil. The mic is the least impressive looking took in my kit, but it is the most versitile. There are somethings that just don't make sense in this audio world of ours like why a cable can cost $3 or $200, and just like that, why an Oktava sounds so damned good. I love that little mic, and would stake whatever reputation I have on people's satisfaction with it.

That being said, when you compare a mic that is $180 with a +$1000 mic, what do you expect? How does a $200 GS9 compare with a $1500 GL2? Big difference, you know?

-Jeremy
 
check the mbhp 603+500 , very nice mic or the akg 480+63
no body really will know , i heard some good stuff about elation as well
 
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