Newb question about shock mounts

[Blade Borge]

Okay, new videographer on a budget right now and wondering the value of a shock mount. Let's say I'm shooting inside a quiet room with my Oktava MK012, I'm doing an interview. How much of a sound improvement is it to use the shock mount over the mic clip?

 

[HueyNRolf]

The shock mount isolates the microphone from transmitted noise. They're not too expensive and without one, you could end up with unusable audio.

 

[JordanBlock]

A shockmount should never be considered optional, particularly with an Oktava.

 

[Noel Evans]

particularly with an Oktava.

+1^

Oktava's are good, but one of the most prone to handling noise.

 

[Blade Borge]

I'm sold. Thanks gentlemen.

 

[John Willett]

You need to think about the cable as well as the shock-mount, as lots of handling noise comes up the cable.

The Rycote "Lyre" mounts are the best around (and almost the cheapest as well) and there is one for virtually any mic.

I use mine with the short Rycote S-Series XLR tail - this is a very flexible cable and isolates the mic. from handling noise on the main cable.

Strongly recommended.

 

[Richard Crowley]

Let's say I'm shooting inside a quiet room with my Oktava MK012, I'm doing an interview. How much of a sound improvement is it to use the shock mount over the mic clip?

Are you hand-holding the Oktava? Are you moving it around on a boom? Or is it in a fixed position on a mic stand?

If the mic is in a fixed position on a mic stand, then it is unlikely that shock-mounting will buy you anything significant. If it ain't broke, do not attempt to "fix" it.

OTOH, if it is being moved around or on some kind of contraption that conducts vibration to the microphone, then absolutely, shock mounts are the first line of defense. And, as Mr. Willett reminded us, remember that the cable is another path of vibration noise.

 

[Steve House]

Vibration from footfalls, passing trucks, etc, can travel up a regular mic stand and get communicated to a mic. Something as sensitive as the Oktava needs a shockmount to isolate it even when on a fixed stand, IMHO.

 

[Richard Crowley]

Vibration from footfalls, passing trucks, etc, can travel up a regular mic stand and get communicated to a mic. Something as sensitive as the Oktava needs a shockmount to isolate it even when on a fixed stand, IMHO.

I use my MK-012s mostly for recording live music concerts (classical music). I have never had a problem with physical vibration through a conventional mic stand, even on wooden stage floors.