I like the idea of throwing a used mix-pre in front of the DR-100, but with the signal chain starting with the Oktava, I'm wondering what difference it makes. I've never been a fan of those microphones, even the "modified" ones. If your goal here is to learn the art of film making, then just work with what you have. Yeah, it won't be perfect, but that's ok. Nobody's first project ever is. I think your main goal should be figuring out workflow at this point, and learning how picture and sound go from production and through post.
Need advice on how to record clean audio from the MK012
- Thread starter Andrew Lewis
- Start date
Andrew Lewis
Member
Cool, good to know. Another question, if you didn't have enough to go the mixpre route, and wanted to get something decent like the mm-1, would you also consider a juicedlink for less? I listened to their shootout they released a few days ago, and was blown away by how quiet it was recording into a DSLR with a juicedlink in front. When I heard the before and after on the DR100, that was the gain noise I'm getting on mine as well; with the juicedlink, it was gone. So... I imagine using that and going into a recorder would give me as good or better results.
Really, all I'm after is getting rid of the hiss. And if a little juicedlink preamp can do it going into a DSLR, that seems pretty convincing. At around the $300 range, is there anything at all, that I should be looking at over the juicedlink? Would spending $100 more for the mm-1 be worth it?
The JuicedLink units are a good solution, though I would probably get the model with the headphone jack ( RA222 Riggy Assist or RA333 Riggy Assist ) to be able to properly monitor your audio. ( you need to be able to catch audio errors while they are happening )
The JuicedLink units output MIC level signal with a maximum gain of 30 dB, so you may want to contact Robert Rozak ( the owner of the JuicedLink company, and who's very active on the web ) to ask if anyone has tried using an Oktava MK012 mic with his pre-amp units. You don't want to buy a new piece of gear and then find out that it's not a solution for the Oktava MK012 mic.
The JuicedLink units output MIC level signal with a maximum gain of 30 dB, so you may want to contact Robert Rozak ( the owner of the JuicedLink company, and who's very active on the web ) to ask if anyone has tried using an Oktava MK012 mic with his pre-amp units. You don't want to buy a new piece of gear and then find out that it's not a solution for the Oktava MK012 mic.
Andrew Lewis
Member
Gotchya. I just realized, that I need to monitor the audio from the mixer or pre-amp and not from the recorder if I'm going to be using one in front of the other. Makes sense, just never thought about it before.
Is the pre-amp supposed to output a "mic level" signal? Is that better or worse than "line level"?
Noiz2
Sound Ninja
Andrew,
"not loud enough" based on what? If your not listening on some at least semi calibrated system "loud" doesn't really mean anything. And the "noise" could be coming from anywhere in the chain, as in cheap computer speakers, etc. This is part of the reason to take what you read with a grain or ten of salt unless you know the poster knows their stuff.
That said the Oktava has it's demands and not all preamps/ recorders pair well with it. It likes 48V draws more power than some mics and can cause problems with preamps that are not up to the challenge. So it's posable that the recorder is an issue.
I would check set ups and such first but the MixPre (at 48V) works well with the Oktava and is a really nice front end for whatever recorder you use. If you can get the new version (MixPreD) for a couple of hundred more then step up, it will be worth it, but the original is fantastic.
"not loud enough" based on what? If your not listening on some at least semi calibrated system "loud" doesn't really mean anything. And the "noise" could be coming from anywhere in the chain, as in cheap computer speakers, etc. This is part of the reason to take what you read with a grain or ten of salt unless you know the poster knows their stuff.
That said the Oktava has it's demands and not all preamps/ recorders pair well with it. It likes 48V draws more power than some mics and can cause problems with preamps that are not up to the challenge. So it's posable that the recorder is an issue.
I would check set ups and such first but the MixPre (at 48V) works well with the Oktava and is a really nice front end for whatever recorder you use. If you can get the new version (MixPreD) for a couple of hundred more then step up, it will be worth it, but the original is fantastic.
As I said in the beginning of this thread, the dr100 and the oktava will work together ok without any mixer. It isn't ideal, but you do have enough gain if your mic is placed properly. If this isn't working for you, I'd check how you are monitoring or editing the files.
Edit: I do own both.
Grant
Andrew Lewis
Member
So I found a local musician with a microphone pre amp and was able to test it out. I don't know know the model, but he mentioned it was pretty cheap. Anyhow, the gain on high was instantly taken care of, it sounded fantastic. So At least now I feel confident in getting the mm-1 or a decent pre-amp to solve the problem.
I'm happy to hear what my little oktava really sounds like without any gain. Such a great mic for the price. Thanks guys for all your recommendations and advice!
I have a different question now but I'll ask that separately in a new thread.
I'm happy to hear what my little oktava really sounds like without any gain. Such a great mic for the price. Thanks guys for all your recommendations and advice!
I have a different question now but I'll ask that separately in a new thread.
eiker_ir
Well-known member
i use a Juicedlink preamp between my mics and my Zoom H4n (known for its kinda noisy preamps) to get cleaner gain.
You can hear a comparison between various configurations that we use with the camera, Juicedlink and H4n starting about one minute into this video:
Click "CC" if you want English subtitles.
Hope this helps.
You can hear a comparison between various configurations that we use with the camera, Juicedlink and H4n starting about one minute into this video:
Click "CC" if you want English subtitles.
Hope this helps.
mainstreetprod
Veteran
If you go the mic route then I would look at getting an AKG CK93 ( hypercardioid : under $500 ) or the Audio Technica 4053b ( hypercardioid : $600 ), and you might be able to find the CK93 or the older AT4053a used. ( I use an AT4053a that I bought four years ago when it was selling for about $400 ) If you want a low cost mic, then I would consider a cardioid mic like the Rode NT5 ( sensitive, good sound, but can be a little bass sensitive : $220 ), or possibly the Avatone CK-1 ( supposed to be very good for a cheap mic : $150 ), or look for a used AT3031 mic. ( cardioid, great sound, low noise : $100 used, I own two of these )
I am currently using the Oktava and the 4053a to mic two actors, each plugged into XLR channels on my AF100. The gain is set basically the same and the levels are the same. Both mics appear to have about the same sensitivity.
Check and make sure the 10db pad is not screwed between your Oktava body and element, that would cause this problem.
I am currently using the Oktava and the 4053a to mic two actors, each plugged into XLR channels on my AF100. The gain is set basically the same and the levels are the same. Both mics appear to have about the same sensitivity.
Check and make sure the 10db pad is not screwed between your Oktava body and element, that would cause this problem.
Rick R
Veteran
Low-end rumble, on my full-range monitors w/subwoofrer. you may cut this down with a high-pass, (aka, low-cut) filter (EQ) at the low frequency of the human voice... generally around 100Hz... higher or lower, depending on the person.. male, female, ect. Just trying to help out, I mean no disrespect of your fine presentation.
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