Oktava, and other Audio Questions.

O

OTTOEMEZZO

Active member
I'm soon buying an Oktava MK012. If I put a BBG (the one from sound room) on it, would it work for outside shoots? How about small and large windscreens? Also, what does a shockmount do (I've never used it, since I have limited audio experience)? Also, which mic do you use for long distance shoots, such as concerts, weddings, etc. Thanks.
 
Hi Otto,

A hairy windjammer will further reduce wind noise. A shockmount isolates the noise vibrations induced from your camera or boom - killers for a sensitive mic like the Oktava. Use a wireless lavalier for anything over 5-6 feet.

Regards, Michael
 
BBG is the recommended wind protection for the Oktava and probably the best you can get. With that said, it depends entirely on wind condition. Light to medium wind is probably fine but you might need to supplement it with a windjammer if the wind is really bad.

A shock mount isolates the microphone to prevent handling noises (hand vibration, bumping etc.) and is crucial for the Oktava.

And no microphone is good for "long distance shoot." Audio is all about getting as close as you can to the subject. Microphones aren't like camera lense; they don't have "reach," what they have is off-axis rejection of sound. Shotgun mics like the AT4073a or the MKH416 rejects more sound from the rear and sides of the mic, but if you're really far away then those mics will do nothing for you whatsoever.
 
What would be better, to get BBG for Oktava to film outside, or get a Rode NTG-2? Will there be a problem matching these two in post? Also, how are weddings and concerts usually filmed?
 
Consider your environment. If the background noise is very quiet outdoors, then the Rode NTG-1, NTG-2, AT4073a, MKH416, Sanken CS-1, Sanken CS3e, you get the picture, will work very well at extreme distances say 5-6 feet away from talent. These microphones can save you during long and wide shots, giving you a more open radius as you move the microphone further.

The Oktava 012 could still work outdoors, but you've got to get close enough in order to get good and consistent audio. The BBG works very well under mild winds say 3-10mph gusts. You have more headroom when pointing the microphone diaphragm away from the wind direction, parellel to the wind in opposite directions. You will deifinitely need a windjammer when winds start to pick up.

Remember to get the hyper cap as that is what you'll use most of the time.

What's your given budget?
 
You need to make sure you can afford the complete package for whatever mic(s) you buy. If you are limited on budget, you may want to just get an oktava with hyper cap, bbg, jammer and a 12' CF Gitzo boom and k-tek kssm shockmount. That whole setup will run around $800-$900. If you buy a shotgun too, you need to also add the k-tek kzepp, so it gets expensive quick. The other factor is that the rode ntg1 or 1 is okay, but you really want an at4073a or beter and that gets expensive quick. I would rather have a mixer (mixpre or sd302) and some wireless systems (g2 with countryman emw) and other goodies (good starquad cables, a mixer bag, good headphones (sony 7506 or beyerdynamic dt770s), a digital recorder, a dynamic mic (evre50b) ) but that is just me. It depends on how much you shoot outside and how far away you need to have the mic. The oktava is only good for 1-2' away (you would be surprised how close you can get a mic and still get perfect framing). You can always use wireless for exterior establishing shots.
 
OTTOEMEZZO said:
What would be better, to get BBG for Oktava to film outside, or get a Rode NTG-2? Will there be a problem matching these two in post? Also, how are weddings and concerts usually filmed?
Click to expand...

Rehi Otto,

For a wedding ceremony or concert where I'm looking for a wider pattern, I'd choose Oktava (along with wireless lavaliers, of course). Conversely, at the wedding reception where I'm trying to isolate extraneous voices and ambient noise, I'd go for a shotgun like the NTG.

Incidentally, folks here will largely be making recommendations for ENG+ grade gear (very few wedding videographers own the upper-end type of gear many suggest here).

Regards, Michael
 
Last edited:
I'm in kinda the same situation as Otto, so thanks for the answers here :). I have one other related question tho. I'm also planning on going for the Oktava MK012 with Hyper, BBG, windjammer, schockmount and boom pole. Because my budget it limited I can't buy a real outside mic yet, like Otto I gues. But I'm wondering, if I have a little more budget in say, half a year, could I buy a Rode NTG-2 or AT4073a and use it with the same gear? So the Rycote BBG, Sabra Shockmount and Rycote windjammer? Or do I really need a zeppelin for that? And if so, can I also use the Oktava in the zeppelin? So I could save me some money.
 
Ok, thanks for the clear answer! What would the quality difference be between a rycote softie and a zeppelin? The price difference is obvious, but I want it to be able to use it also when there's a bit more wind. I just noticed there's a windjammer for the softie too tho, is that wind absorbing enough? Like the BBG+windjammer for the Oktava?
 
Zeppelin is many times better than a softie. It provides a dead space between the mic and the surrounding that's the key in providing good wind protection. A softie can only handle very light wind but anything more and you'll need a zeppelin.
 
Ok, than 1 last question for now ;)
Can I also use the Oktava MK012 w/Hyper in a zeppelin (and will it provide good quality)? In that case I better buy the zeppelin right away, instead of the BBG, and than also a zeppelin...
 
I love my Oktava and use it as the standard to set up the other mics, including lavs. In a controlled environment, it's sensitivity is an advantage.

However, if you use the Oktava...pole mount it, or even better, stand mount it if possible.

The Oktava is extremely sensitive to handling. It will pick up all the handling and motor noise if mounted on-camera...even with a good mount. It will also pick up tiny thumps on your mic cable, so damp the cable or buy a damped cable.

Even the hypercard picks up ambient sound...so if you want to take the Oktava out into the noisy real world, be aware that it will pick up everything...which is why you must get pretty close to the subject.

It's amazing what you will hear through the headphone monitors.
 
jade8472 said:
BBG won't fit on a shotgun mic. You would need a rycote softie for either the Rode or the AT.
Click to expand...

LOL, just reading that line makes me want to laugh! I'm not directing this to anyone, just thinking about and imagining a Baby Ball over a shotgun is hilarious.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top