AKG 414B-XLS vs. OktavaMOD MK-012 for classical piano

[macula]

(Sorry, yet another intractable "vs." question)

Classical piano recording.
Directly to computer (via Apogee Duet) or directly to Korg MR-1000 recorder (built-in preamps and converter).

1. Wondering how the modded Oktava MK012's (Dorsey mod or Michael Joly mod) would compare against the AKG 414B-XLS.

2. Any piano samples with the OktavaMOD? How would it fare against a Studio Projects C4 for classical piano (please note: I'm referring to the MODIFIED MK-012).

Thanks.

[pkautzsch]

A pair of pressure omnis like the 012s will, well placed in a good room, always be a good bet. I'd use even my un-modded 012s with omni caps rather than any gradient mic. For a main pair, that is. I have a few Neumann SDCs, though, so I've not used the 012s as a main pair so far.
Others here have been successful with 414s in Blumlein, I think.

[videoteque]

I would add the Audio-Technica 4050, many times have been named for piano recordings and are in your budget!

[matyas]

I have both the Okatva 012s (unmodded) and the 414s. I generally prefer the 414s as the main pair for most things. For piano, I put them up in Blumlein, sometimes ORTF depending on the room and the instrument. Note that I haven't heard the modded versions (will probably get my pair done at some point), and in general, I would think that omni SDCs would do a better job than multi-pattern LDCs, but in the case of the 414s, they seem to capture a little more detail than the Oktavas (which are still probably the best of the affordable SDCs out there.)

[pkautzsch]

Originally Posted by matyas

I would think that omni SDCs would do a better job than multi-pattern LDCs, but in the case of the 414s, they seem to capture a little more detail than the Oktavas (which are still probably the best of the affordable SDCs out there.)

Yes, the Oktavas are quite dark indeed when compared to most modern mics.

[JEGG]

If you find an individual plot for 414s (of any genre), you will see that there are distinct and multiple peaks in the frequency response. If these fall in pleasing places for you, then you will like the 414 and it will do something "special" to the sound.

The 012 omni caps are very good, and have minimal HF rise. They will not have the "reach" of the 414s, even in omni. Also, the 414s in omni have a very different polar pattern than the 012 true omni.

You don't need the Oktavas modified to have them perform well.

With the 414s, though, you do have access to more recording techniques, as someone has already mentioned. Blumlein and MS recordings sometimes work better than other techniques (providing you have a good room) because they can offer a more stable image for a single instrument (or more instruments, too).

[matyas]

Originally Posted by JEGG

If you find an individual plot for 414s (of any genre), you will see that there are distinct and multiple peaks in the frequency response. If these fall in pleasing places for you, then you will like the 414 and it will do something "special" to the sound.
The 012 omni caps are very good, and have minimal HF rise. They will not have the "reach" of the 414s, even in omni. Also, the 414s in omni have a very different polar pattern than the 012 true omni.

That's true. 414s are not flat, and obviously a multi-pattern "omni" is not the same thing as a true pressure omni. I do find that the frequency response evens out a bit at greater distances, however, and sometimes the HF boost is a bit of a help in clarifying a muddy orchestra or wind ensemble. (I don't always get to record the best players in the best rooms.) I should also confess that I don't own the omni capsules for the 012s. It's been something I've be meaning to pick up, but my Oktavas mostly see service as spot mics, or as drum overheads when I record rock bands. I do recommend the Oktavas highly, however, and you'll find me praising them in quite a few threads. They are darker than some SDCs, and that's not always a bad thing!

[Bflat]

Originally Posted by pkautzsch

Others here have been successful with 414s in Blumlein, I think.

I'm assuming that you are not putting 2 414s on top of each other, so wouldn't there be some phase issues caused by the distance between the mics when using Blumein? Maybe its too small to notice??

[pkautzsch]

Actually if you want to do Blumlein, you *have* to put the mics on top of each other.
Done quite a few MS setups with TLM170s that way, and the 414 has a smaller body (I just happen to not really like the 414's sound...)

[d_fu]

Originally Posted by Bflat

I'm assuming that you are not putting 2 414s on top of each other

...

[Bflat]

Oh, huh. Thanks for the pic I'll have to find that boom adapter.

[Corran]

I have two piano samples on my website that were just a simple ORTF pair of 012's, but unmodded. I know you specified modded but I just thought I'd mention that.