What's so great about the Oktava mic?

wabbit said:
The mod cost about $5 and some modest soldering skills.

I guess I wouldn't say $250 is high, but just closer to 1 in their cost/value ratio so that other options are now on par with them.

Cheers
Click to expand...

The mod was probably closer to $12, and you had to use whatever that chemical is to dissolve the coating off the board, then unsolder the old parts, re-solder the new ones, and then optionally coat the board again. :)

You might have been able to do the mod for around $7 if you had some AMAZING electronics parts store near you... I had to hunt down the parts from several sources... so technically if you added all the parts and shipping up... it was probably $20+... but if you were going to do a bunch of mics you could get the volume cost down.

I'm not saying that Oktava spent a bunch of money on the modded mics... I'm saying they modded them as a result of listening.

I'm sure you'd be surprised at how little it costs to make even a Schoeps.

The difference between an electrolytic cap and a premium film cap may only be $1... and there aren't that many parts that make up a mic anyway... but it's just the way it is with electronics... if you've ever been into high-end stereo, and I KNOW you have... then you know all the little selling points based around what are really $1-5 upgrades inside the box.

I realize you put that info out there neutrally, but I want to be sure people realize that even if it only cost Oktava Inc. a few dollars difference to upgrade their mics, that's still no small issue... again... the point being that they listened. TO THIS DAY you can find a ton of sites willing to mod your Oktava for a fee... and the bigger point here, as it relates to the Oktava we're talking about... is that it's no longer necessary to do that.

Aside from that point I think your posts here are very good and full of valid and useful info... I think we do have people straddling the line between amateur and pro... and that's why I decided to say "let's cut the sh*t here and tell it like it really is"... and bring up the issue of PAY... I'm inundated with PMs, emails, and phone calls from people that want me to run sound for crap pay... and ironically they rarely think it's crap pay... I would WAY rather do a cool gig with people that I like... FOR FREE... then have somebody think that paying me $100 for a full day was really paying me.

The $$$ issue is an easy way for people to find out TRULY on which side of that line they are... if they never see $300+ days for running sound... it's my opinion that they probably don't need a Schoeps, and the people they're working with won't even know what one is... or hear the difference.

Now since posts are like legal blather... I have to address the next argument before it's made... that they'll never GET those professional jobs w/o the professional gear... and I propose that it won't ever happen like that anyway... people don't go directly from running sound on "The Zombie Killers" to running sound on a Geico commercial... there's a pretty obvious line between the professional world and the amateur world... and I don't think you straddle it so much as trudge through it for a while... giving you plenty of time to realize it's time to upgrade your kit.

Further... I submit that it's far more important to have Lectro level wireless before you have a $1500 hyper, because the difference in a Lectro 2xx-4xx and a G2 CAN be easily heard by everyone... right away. My point being that the difference in being on one side of that line and the other... is the difference of about $16-18k in gear. :)


I can't WAIT to hear the comparo by the way... since I've done my own in the past I'd love to hear this with another voice! Be sure to mount the mics directly together (with whatever distance needed to separate them, but diaphragms at the same distance and angle I mean)... and then speak on axis, plus off-axis... the real value of the Schoeps is it's onion shaped polar pattern... that's what people are paying for... but also... you only need to get about 30-40 degrees off axis to illustrate a real booming scenario... no boom op will have a mic so that talent is talking directly into the side...

I'm going to say that within 20 degrees (still a wide wide reach) that you're going to be surprised at how close those two mics sound to each other... yes, "WE" will hear the difference... but you'll be surprised that it's as close as it is. :beer:
 
I have a bit off topic question, do majority of you use the Oktava 012 hyper with or without the -10db cap? I find it really difficult to avoid occasional pops when booming and walking or when on stand even in Invision shockmount it still tends to crack when one walks near it on soft wooden floor. When I use the cap it never crackles but I don't know if I could call the -10db cap a low cut filter or...
... I feel kind of uncomfortable without knowing. My ear kind of knows but it would be great to be sure.

T
 
The -10db cap reduces the mic's sensitivity by an additional 10db... and the mic isn't all that sensitive as it is, so I rarely use that cap... or "pad" as most pros would call it.

The reason you notice the mic is less sensitive to handling, when the pad is in... is because the whole mic is less sensitive to EVERYTHING when that pad is in... and one of the caveats I've had with the Oktava anyway... and is well documented throughout this forum... is that it is already more sensitive to handling and wind then many other mics.

So that's what's happening when you use the pad.

There are some who say that the total amplified "math" of a mic system is the same after the equal sign... for example:

mic sensitivity = 10
pre-amp gain = 20
total signal level that hits tape = 30

OR

mic sensitivity = 20
pre-amp gain = 10
total signal level that hits tape = 30

Even though you're recording sound at the same db level to tape (or HD) it's not the same audio... a less sensitive mic hears a smaller bubble of sound and is less affected by handling issues... and while that bubble can be expanded in the pre-amp, it's still often times superior then using a higher sensitivity mic with LESS pre-amp.

I've got an AKG system that sounds really nice... and it's got the option of +6, 0, and -10db on the mic body itself... and I use all three settings at different times. If I'm really struggling with location issues that are outside of my control, I'll switch in the -10db and then add gain at the pre-amp... and this usually results in a significant improvement over higher sensitivity at the mic.

If the location is great and acoustics are good, and the location is quiet, then I'd way rather run higher sensitivity at the mic, and use less pre-amp for a cleaner signal overall.

All tools my good man... the -10db has it's place... and if you usually find yourself in crap locations, then use it... but realize that you reduced your booming distance and the purity of the audio signal, because you forced an extra 10db of gain into the system somewhere else.

If that means BETTER sounding audio because of lower handling and other unwanted sounds, then go for it... just remember to take the -10db pad out when you don't need it... like for a seated interview or an otherwise decent location.
 
Not sure what your "crackling" is unless it's a bad connection. I use a pair to record concerts 3-6 times a year, they are on stands on the stage (wood) with regular mic clips and haven't had any problem with picking up foot steps etc.

The -10 is a pad not a low roll off, so it just lowers the signal. It is poss that the Oktava is hotter than your recorder can handle? I do also pretty much always have a 80Hz roll off on the mic in. But "crackling" sounds like an intermittent connection rather than overload, so I would clean the connections and see if it goes away.
 
I own the Oktava, and the AKG ck93, and I've used the AKG ck63 and I also own the Sennheiser MKH50...and IMHO, I definitely dont think the Oktava is worth it anymore.

It's simple math: The Oktava now cost $250 and you *have* to get the BBG, which cost $135, just to use it indoors.

For that same $385, you can get the AKG se300b/ck93 setup from B&H and it sounds much better than the Oktava.
 
I do agree that they're pricing the Oktava too high... I'm not happy about that... and yes, the previous price to performance ratio is being chipped away.

Still... it's not like you don't need a windscreen with other mics.

If you get that AKG with just a simple foam and boom it aggressively I'll bet you get worse rumble then you would if it had a BBG on it.

Just to clarify this issue... given a choice of Oktava or AKG w/ ck93... I'd go ck93 100% of the time... so yes, I'm in agreement with you on that. Once they take the value out of the Oktava I can't sit here and pretend like it's something it's not. I'm very disheartened about the price increase.
 
MattinSTL said:
Just to clarify this issue... given a choice of Oktava or AKG w/ ck93... I'd go ck93 100% of the time... so yes, I'm in agreement with you on that. Once they take the value out of the Oktava I can't sit here and pretend like it's something it's not. I'm very disheartened about the price increase.
Click to expand...
Oh well, I've sold our CK93/98 by now and maybe that is the difference I'm dealing with Oktava now... those just weren't hot enough for so-so preamps, damn blessing in retrospect.
 
This post is full of great info, but starts feeling like talking about the greatness of Old Navy clothes during a whole night at a bar with a hot girl. Octava are decent cheap mics......................kind of that's it for them.
 
Yep.

I do have a hard time understanding a 42% price increase... since I have a bunch of mics I haven't had a reason to check around, and I had no idea they got that high. After doing some research it seems that Paul is still offering the best deal... and regardless of the whole mic point... I think we have proof of the power in this site, because I honestly think that WE raised the demand so much that WE are responsible for the drastic price increase. No seriously.

Hmm... well, whatever.
 
Last edited:
MattinSTL said:
Yep.

I do have a hard time understanding a 42% price increase... since I have a bunch of mics I haven't had a reason to check around, and I had no idea they got that high. After doing some research it seems that Paul is still offering the best deal... and regardless of the whole mic point... I think we have proof of the power in this site, because I honestly think that WE raised the demand so much that WE are responsible for the drastic price increase. No seriously.
Click to expand...

Hi Matt. Dont you mean YOU? Im kidding of course, but you were the person who really got the word out on this forum anyway. Too bad they werent paying you a commission.

Im setting up now to do the AUDIO comparison.
 
Sorry this is very difficult with a screaming 4 year old having a tantrum. I need to go out soon (thankfully :P) but will be back in a few hours and the tantrumer will be out.
 
A couple of points (to add my $.02 here):

1. Welcome back Matt! Great to see you here again! Hope things are well...
2. If you think you can't get good paying jobs without having a Schoeps in your bag you are just plain wrong. I got more than half of my paying gigs before I bought my Schoeps and it still doesn't even come out unless the boom op is a good one.
3. Someone commented that there are a lot of "salesmen" on this board. Wrong. There are a lot of people on this board that care about audio, are nice enough to help out newbies (even those that ask how they can get the same sounding audio they heard in "xxx" big budget movie for $250). Speaking strictly for myself, I have purchased a lot of equipment over the past couple of years to "try it out" and have some very strong opinions about the quality (in make and fit, as well as tonal) of this equipment. I will pass along those opinions unedited and unfiltered. I'm never trying to "sell" anything. As a matter of fact, if you look at my posts, you will notice that most of the time what I talk about is best value for the money spent. I am always looking for good value (notice I say good value, not a good deal) - I often recommend a better brand/model used over a brand new version of something with less quality. The Octava mics were a good value at their $165 price point. I honestly don't know what they sell for now so I don't know if they are still a good value or not. But, I got a used Schoeps CMC 441 for $450 including a GVC and a collette (with a cracked cable that needs replacing). The values and deals are out there if you shop hard.

My general rule of thumb has been (from day one): I don't buy new equipment until the equipment I already own is paid for. And, while this means I've generally not been making a living doing sound, I have built up a pretty solid kit. If you're looking at doing sound from a business perspective, this is a pretty good way to look at it (unless you have a nice trust fund or some stock that didn't fall into the crapper today). And if you're just making movies for fun, don't worry so much - have fun. Buy the best equipment you can afford and then go for it.

Phil
 
Oh, and I suspect the reason we haven't heard from Oleg on this thread is I think he's been banned again. Oops.

Phil
 
My Octava or if it's really someone green, I'll pull out my old trusty Rode NT5 Cardioids...not the greatest mic in the world, but a very forgiving pickup pattern. On exteriors, I use my 4073a for the novices, my 416 for the good guys. If the conditions are really crappy (like the time we were in a herring packing plant) I pull out the old trusty AT 897 - don't care if I have to throw it away after the shoot (other than the sentimental value it holds - it was my first mic). I did, btw, end up throwing away 2 20' XLR's after the herring shoot...both had been dragged through a vat of herring guts. Wasn't going to clean those - yuck. (They were crappy Hosa cables anyway...didn't bring out the good cables either). :-)
 
Noel Evans said:
Hi Matt. Dont you mean YOU? Im kidding of course, but you were the person who really got the word out on this forum anyway. Too bad they werent paying you a commission.
Click to expand...

No sh*t :huh:

Hey I'm about to turn the KleenSlate marker company into a fortune 500 company as well... and guess what... they 'aint paying me anything either... the owner of the company (she) doesn't even know it yet.

I'm totally naive about sh*t... I never look at the money in things. When I was making cables I wasn't making sh*t... when I was making lights I wasn't making sh*t... and when I find some cool little product that beats the hell out of the competition at a lower price I talk and talk and talk about it. Not because I'm trying to make somebody rich... it's because I think "Thank God for this little thing! It made my day so much better!"...

I'm almost NEVER motivated by money... and that's really a testament to my stupidity. You wouldn't even believe me if I told you the crap I came up with and submitted to companies... you wouldn't even believe it.

But I'm a cold bastard just the same... if something deserves to be crapped on... I'll be the first one with my pants down. Science meets goodwill... that's me. :beer: And no detail is too small to ***** about or rave over, if I think it matters.

BTW... thanks for stopping in Phil... I like to see (read from) you very much... you're like an old friend... maybe that's 'cause you are. And you're helping to make my point... not to sound like a jack-ass, but I've had $500+ days with just a PSC millimic... so I get annoyed when some dude's making crap films (no offense "dude") and people try to convince him he needs to spend $1500+ on a mic.

Pumpkin Beer is in season... unrelated point... but not entirely unrelated... *burp*
 
Last edited:
ptalsky said:
Oh, and I suspect the reason we haven't heard from Oleg on this thread is I think he's been banned again. Oops.

Phil
Click to expand...
yep - they left you with American industry Fords - which sucks as US economy
by the way the price of the octava didnt change abit for the last 5 years - the US $ Just made you 3rd world citizens :-)
 
MattinSTL said:
No sh*t :huh:

small to ***** about or rave over, if I think it matters.

BTW... thanks for stopping in Phil... I like to see (read from) you very much... you're like an old friend... maybe that's 'cause you are. And you're helping to make my point... not to sound like a jack-ass, but I've had $500+ days with just a PSC millimic... so I get annoyed when some dude's making crap films (no offense "dude") and people try to convince him he needs to spend $1500+ on a mic.

Pumpkin Beer is in season... unrelated point... but not entirely unrelated... *burp*
Click to expand...
By people you mean mr F ( U can add what ever you like after F:-)
.
people dont buy schoepses -it doesnt make good to your pocket:-)

by the way these who look for Oleg - he is on Face book
and something about his CHiniz Friends -as he now super busy with his rentals and mixing this enterprise comes to the end, so there are last 10 friends in stock
your last chance

yours
optalgin shadow
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top