just hyper capsule, or all three (Oktava)

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Danny1280

Well-known member
I'm looking at getting the Oktava MK012. I see the price for all three capsules (Omni, Cardiod, Hyper-cardiod) is about $100 more than just getting the film edition with one hyper capsule.

My question is how worthwhile is it to get the three capsules? Are they useful in filming situations? I'm planning on using the hyper for indoor booming. But would the other patterns also be helpful for other scenarios? Like field recording outside. Or trying to get a group dialogue indoors?

Thanks,
 
It's always good to have options, but the reality is that a hyper is going to be much more forgiving in doors than the others. Cardioid can be handy at times. Omni will be useless. If you're doing more than just dialog, such as FX recording or even music, then the others will certainly have a place.
 
I would agree with Alex. If you have the $ then go for it. The cardioid can be a help sometimes, but for say FX recording all three could be useful. The only one I don't have is the Omni and I will probably pick it at some point. Omni's in general have a flatter response than other capsules so for some very close FX I could see it coming in handy. And other more experienced production mixers may correct me but especially on low budget films I could see situations where it might be a life saver. I would do it mostly for the cardioid and figure the omni is a bonus.
 
While I use the hyper the most by far, particular projects have come along where the other capsules came in handy. So if the price isn't an issue then just get the set.
 
Noiz2 said:
I would agree with Alex. If you have the $ then go for it. The cardioid can be a help sometimes, but for say FX recording all three could be useful. The only one I don't have is the Omni and I will probably pick it at some point. Omni's in general have a flatter response than other capsules so for some very close FX I could see it coming in handy. And other more experienced production mixers may correct me but especially on low budget films I could see situations where it might be a life saver. I would do it mostly for the cardioid and figure the omni is a bonus.
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Yup Noiz2, Omnis are lifesavers. Not only are they almost entirely ruler flat (for most Omnis), if you ever need the low end you'll use the omnis more often than any other capsules because they give you a close representation of a bigger-than-life sound as compared to cardioids or hypers. Great for ambience and atmosphere recordings. Also, if you're planning on recording voice-overs in a somewhat dry/isolated room for your film, try the omnis (my favorite). You could also use it for roomtone fills during production when mixing. Sounds very natural.
 
It's also cheaper in the long run to buy all 3 at the onset then to buy the hyper capsule and get the others later. Besides, having the pad isn't a bad idea.
 
Something to think about... The kit mentioned with the 3 heads comes with a 10 db pad, but does not include the high pass filter, which in my opinion is more important when booming interiors for film work. Unless of course you already have a field mixer with selectable high pass filters.

All the Best!

Dave
 
I never once have used the pad module. Maybe you can talk the vendor into exchanging it with a low cut pad which costs the same.
 
So what's the consensus. Would the high pass or low cut pad be more useful if I'm able to convince them to swap it out for the 10db pad?
 
Danny1280 said:
So what's the consensus. Would the high pass or low cut pad be more useful if I'm able to convince them to swap it out for the 10db pad?
Click to expand...

Absolutely. If you have a roll off on your mixer you might never use it but I can't think of when you would ever use the pad. I have a couple and have never used them going on ten years.
 
Thanks, Noiz, and now for a question that highlights my ignorance: Are low cut and high pass the same? And if not, then what's the diff?
 
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