Large diaphragm condenser as boom mic?

Yeah, like Richard said, it didn't prove anything. But you guys gave a very strong argument that LDC are not appropriate for recording dialogue on a boom. I'll still give it a try but I'm preparing to invest in a SDC.
 
Ok So I Read around the web and on the forum and I'm considering buying the Oktava Mk-012. I'm not sure if I should take the cardioid or hypercardioid capsule. Have any of you worked with that mic? Is there something as good or better in the sub-200$ range?
 
The MK-012 is a popular low-cost mic for boom use. You certainly want the hyper-cardioid capsule for boom use.
It is not as quiet as the higher-price "mainstream" hypercardioid microphones.

And it has a reputation for being overly sensitive to handling/mechanical noise.
So, it needs good shock-mounting or very careful and conscientious handling of the boom pole.

And it probably doesn't have as great an output level, so it needs a mic preamp with good low-noise gain.

Remember that hyper-cardioids and even shotgun mics are not magic.
You can't expect working distances of 3ft/1m or more.
 
I'll definitely use it with a shockmount no doubt about it. When you say not as quiet, are you talking about the pickup pattern or the self noise? I have a preamp with 48 db of gain and the first 35 are super clean. However it's barely enough for boom use with my ldc so I think I'll purchase the triton audio Fethead phantom to have an additional 20db of clean gain.
 
The preferred capsule for dialog is usually the hyper, but many folks have a two or three capsule set. The 012's self noise is not an issue, but a preamp with lots of clean gain is preferred due it it's somewhat anemic 10mV sensitivity. Does it sound good?.. it can, with proper selection and in the right hands.
Despite it's attractive price, it's not a good mic for the inexperienced. (IMO) One should also be aware of the many other caveats prior to purchase. Search this forum, the DVInfo and the JW soundgroup for more info on this infamous mic.
 
Yep, that seems like it. If I can operate a LDC on a boom without any handling noise I think I'll be alright with the Oktava. Ordering! Thanks guys!
 
Reviving this ole thread. I hadn’t thought about the off axis issue for Large Diaphragm mics. Saves me the trouble of setting up a test. Thanks

I did notice a lot of people recommending short shotguns. I differ there, and believe a hyper is a better mic to start with for the indie or docu crowd. Short shotguns and cardies are too specific, whereas a good hyper will get you through anything. I love the MKH50. Audio Technica has a good hyper that i enjoyed as well. The AT’s are great because they are cheap enough to use daily and not worry about, while keeping up with the sound quality of many of the best mics out there. Hypers are not only versatile, but i generally prefer their sound. I found even when i owned the MKH40,50,60,70, i ended up reaching for the MKH50 almost always. Especially in docudrama or indie drama type of setting. A short shotgun will give a cleaner voice track, but at the expense of worse sound and possible issues with reflections. Most of the time short shotguns are fine indoors, and an MKH416 or Audio technica 40somthing handle interiors quite well, so sure, if isolation is the number one criteria, a shortshotgun is probably the go to mic, but a hyper just feels better most of the time, and has plenty of tractor beam focus to hear the subjects. But if you have a character talking off access with a shotgun in a docudrama setting, that person’s words are way too quiet. So, in the unpredictable world of docudrama, it is nice to have a more natural sounding mic that doesn’t totally kill off axis speech.
 
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