Fitting Oktava Mk012 to HVX questions

M

Mavoz

Well-known member
Hi,

I've just purchased the Oktava Mk012. Could someone answer these questions for me:

1.) While ideally I understand the mic should not be placed on the camera....in run and gun/one man situations where I want to film + capture live audio....will mounting the Oktava Mk012 on the camera do a better job than the mic already on the camera?

2.) If it is worthwhile to have this mic mounted on the cam ...how do I mount it? I've found the mic is too small for the supplied mounting kit to fit snugly. Does one "pad" the mic..get a different mount?

Thanks for any advice...I'm new to all this and barely have anyone to ask besides the HVX community!
 
One of the great features is the mic's extreme sensitivity; however you will have to judge whether that is an advantage when mounted on the camera or outside in the wind and noise.

A shockmount (like a Rode SM3) will stop some, but not all of the handling noise. You'll also need a windscreen (like a Baby Ball Gag) if you move it around even indoors. The Oktava does not take even the slightest breeze without distorting.

With the Oktava's sensitivity, be prepared for the mic to pick up everything; regardless of it's cardio or even hyper cardio pattern.

Good luck.
 
Answer: improvise, the more you can float the mic, foam, suspension... the better. Less transmitted vibration = better sound recording.

Good sound= close proximity to source

mics need to be within an arms length from the mouth of the talent to get decent sound, otherwise you'll pick up sound reflections and everything you don't intend to listen to.
 
Mavoz:

Based upon my tests, I would have to say that the Oktava is not a very good on-camera mic. It's extreme sensitivity to handling noise will make it not very usable mounted on a camera. I would highly recommend the Audio Technica AT-875r or the Sanken CS-1 over the Oktava for camera mounting. Both the AT and the Sanken were designed as on-camera mics.

Dan
 
i would sudgesy my chiniz friend as it has low fq cut off and it very cheap , it also sounds well for the price :-)


you can buy spesial ktek suspention with camera mount shoe to rize the mic over camera moise , works well
 
I agree, not the ideal mic for on cam mounting. If you already bought one and you are going to use it, take Indywannabe's advice:

"One of the great features is the mic's extreme sensitivity; however you will have to judge whether that is an advantage when mounted on the camera or outside in the wind and noise.

A shockmount (like a Rode SM3) will stop some, but not all of the handling noise. You'll also need a windscreen (like a Baby Ball Gag) if you move it around even indoors. The Oktava does not take even the slightest breeze without distorting.

With the Oktava's sensitivity, be prepared for the mic to pick up everything; regardless of it's cardio or even hyper cardio pattern.

Good luck."

I have done this and it can work in a pinch when you don't have another mic.
 
there is plenty low fq roll of barrels which can do it + the octava has some -3b roll of behind the capsule inserter - make the mic twice longer but does the same soluion .
but it alwais better find mic with normal soluion , bayball gag is a total waist of money as you can manege the same with 2 foams 9 windteck make something nice or use shure large double foam )and pullcat over .
 
Thanks for the tips!

It looks like I may have bought the wrong microphone!! (If I want to camera mount it anyway)

Will the Oktava work ok on a boom pole?

I have purchased the Sabra Som Universal Shockmount and also the Rycote Baby Ball Gag Windshield with this in mind.

Hope this purchase wasn't a total write off! :)
 
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the baby ball gag is awaist of money , you could buy double foam from windteck and polecat they made for that for much much less and get the same
about sabra mount - not realy my taste in mounts - the short ktek gp-s ( gpss) or psc mshort mount much better option
if it still new as k for refond
 
Ultra Screen Series MM-US
that is the number for ultra series mic muff dead cat
it not on their sitye , but they do make it
 
The Oktava is terrific mic for the value and I sometimes even prefer it's sound to my Schoeps MK41, which is literally 10 times the price.

However, I have to question where your sound man is on these run/gun situations. My understanding of run/gun is not that either sound or picture is compromised, but that both the sound and camera guys are working faster. Has your producer forgotten it's a sound shoot or is not a sound shoot but you would like to get sound for your own purposes? I ask because to say that sound from a camera-mounted mic is not "ideal" is a great understatement. If you're out shooting your friends riding their skateboards then great, but if someone is paying for product then sound from a camera-mounted mic is not useable. Full stop. If it is a sound shoot then your producer should hire a sound person. Again, full stop.

SFX





Mavoz said:
Hi,

I've just purchased the Oktava Mk012. Could someone answer these questions for me:

1.) While ideally I understand the mic should not be placed on the camera....in run and gun/one man situations where I want to film + capture live audio....will mounting the Oktava Mk012 on the camera do a better job than the mic already on the camera?

2.) If it is worthwhile to have this mic mounted on the cam ...how do I mount it? I've found the mic is too small for the supplied mounting kit to fit snugly. Does one "pad" the mic..get a different mount?

Thanks for any advice...I'm new to all this and barely have anyone to ask besides the HVX community!
Click to expand...
 
SFX said:
The Oktava is terrific mic for the value and I sometimes even prefer it's sound to my Schoeps MK41, which is literally 10 times the price.

However, I have to question where your sound man is on these run/gun situations. My understanding of run/gun is not that either sound or picture is compromised, but that both the sound and camera guys are working faster. Has your producer forgotten it's a sound shoot or is not a sound shoot but you would like to get sound for your own purposes? I ask because to say that sound from a camera-mounted mic is not "ideal" is a great understatement. If you're out shooting your friends riding their skateboards then great, but if someone is paying for product then sound from a camera-mounted mic is not useable. Full stop. If it is a sound shoot then your producer should hire a sound person. Again, full stop.

SFX
Click to expand...

Amen.

Dan
 
Mavoz said:
Thanks for the tips!

It looks like I may have bought the wrong microphone!! (If I want to camera mount it anyway)

Will the Oktava work ok on a boom pole?

I have purchased the Sabra Som Universal Shockmount and also the Rycote Baby Ball Gag Windshield with this in mind.

Hope this purchase wasn't a total write off! :)
Click to expand...

I'm sure you'll find a useful place in your kit. It is a great mic indoors on a mike stand. It will still need the Sabra for that.

For run-n-gun, it will work in a pinch. Just hold the pole still. Turn the sensitivity way down...not too close to the subjects to avoid pops and shouting overload.

Waving it around will pick up the wind whoosh...and you can't control the wind outdoors.
 
If you MUST put a smaller mic on the camera I put rubber bands around it till it fits snugly in the camera mount. (Or even gaffers tape.) I agree with everyone that the 012 is a poor choice for on-camera. You'll hear all your handling noise and breathing. The built-in mics would probably be equal if not better. I uses a medium length shotgun in the on-camera mount that works pretty well when it's just me.

You need a mic with a tighter pattern. The oktava is a cardioid/ borderline omni (very wide pickup pattern) whereas you need a hyper/ super cardioid pattern mic.
 
yeehaanow said:
If you MUST put a smaller mic on the camera I put rubber bands around it till it fits snugly in the camera mount. (Or even gaffers tape.) I agree with everyone that the 012 is a poor choice for on-camera. You'll hear all your handling noise and breathing. The built-in mics would probably be equal if not better. I uses a medium length shotgun in the on-camera mount that works pretty well when it's just me.

You need a mic with a tighter pattern. The oktava is a cardioid/ borderline omni (very wide pickup pattern) whereas you need a hyper/ super cardioid pattern mic.
Click to expand...

is the Oktava really that wide? I'm looking at purchasing it as my first mic. I will eventually get a short shotgun to complement it, but I thought the Oktava was a hyper that was great indoors and was narrow enough to be pretty good outdoors if I am close to the subject. If it really is that wide I might be better to start with a Rode NTG2 or similar short shotgun?

And don't worry I don't ever plan to mount it on my camera. Just looking for some guidance, thanks!
 
The Oktava is best when used indoors and fixed. It does not have the side rejection of a shotgun.

I use mine for live performance.

If you are going to shoot a video with dialog, then the NTG2 sounds like a good 1st mic.
 
Mr B said:
is the Oktava really that wide? I'm looking at purchasing it as my first mic. I will eventually get a short shotgun to complement it, but I thought the Oktava was a hyper that was great indoors and was narrow enough to be pretty good outdoors if I am close to the subject. If it really is that wide I might be better to start with a Rode NTG2 or similar short shotgun?

And don't worry I don't ever plan to mount it on my camera. Just looking for some guidance, thanks!
Click to expand...

Yes it is very wide. if you are talking about the standard cardioid capsule. (I've never used the hyper capsule, so i couldn't say) I would say go with the shotgun first. I only use the oktava indoors as a "plant" mic if an actor walks into another room or somewhere out of reach of the boom. The handling noise and suceptability to wind outdoors are pretty bad. It is useful outdoors only for sfx and ambiance, dialog - FORGET IT. IMO.

I love it for a close-mic on acoustic guitar.
 
I can see from the comments that when at all possible...beg, borrow, steal....get a soundman and a boom mic..get that mic off the camera and as close as possible to the action....(I guess this is what I had in mind when I said 'ideally')....

My question relates to the situation when you are alone with just a camera...one man....maybe travelling etc.

On the weekend I filmed the local "Anzac Day" march which included parades of soldiers with marching music...I got some good vision..and was actually surprised that the loud band music came out reasonably well with even the onboard HVX mic...while one wouldn't use the sound track in Saving Private Ryan 2...the audio certainly helped capture the atmosphere..and was highly preferable to no audio at all....

But getting an external mic onto a boom pole alongside is the next thing for me to aim at....probably bought the wrong mic for what I had in mind...anyway will give it a go and see how I go!


Thanks for your help...and apologies for any knocking of the Oktava...it certainly is a great sounding mic...just trying to figure out how best to use the little treasure!
 
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