How does the Oktava MK-012 mod change the sound?

heisleyamor · 11th June 2008, 07:23 PM

I getting 2 MK-012s soon mostly for overheads for drums and also for acoustic guitar. I am just wondering how the most popular mod for these mics change the sound. I want a really detailed sound but not harsh. I'm a big fan of the KM84s and I hear people comparing these mics to them.

danbronson · 11th June 2008, 07:45 PM

I doubt they will ever really rival KM84s, but for 'that Russian sound' (warm and smooth) they should do very well.

I don't have the 012s, but my modded 319 sounds much clearer than stock. Every part of the frequency range, especially the top end, has cleared up and lost the 'haze' it previously had. The mic is less noisy now too. It's really a huge difference, I feel the mic competes on a professional level now whereas before it sounded very entry level to me. That said, it's still a dark sounding mic and does not have ALL the clarity and 'niceness' of a good Neumann or equivalent.

From everyone I've talked to (I was strongly considering a modded 012 pair), the mod effects the 012s very similarly. So if you like them stock, you'll love them modded.

That said, I've decided against the modded 012s because I've found the Beyerdynamic MC 930 matched pair for ~$690 from Full Compass (you have to call to get that price). From everything I've read, these actually do compete with KM84s. I've read a few reviews by people who bought them saying they upgraded from mics like Mk-012s and even KM184s to the Beyers and are happy with the decision. I will post a review when mine come in. In fact, I really should place that order now...

Fabi · 11th June 2008, 08:01 PM

I have a pair and i realy like them.

There is a shoot out somewhere between the modded and not modded.

Some GSs will probably kill me right now, but I like them how they are. I don´t want them to loose their darkness and somehow smeared hfs. This is actually what I want for Overheads or acoustic sometimes. Sometimes not though.

You might feel different about that.

I also heard (but don´t realy know) that new Oktavas use better parts now, gettig a little closer to the modded ones. Mine are very new and I am very happy with them.

Somebody else could probably help here?

I think if you like the sound to begin with, why change it?
(sorry Mr. Joly - I have a lot of respect for your work!!)

TurboJets · 11th June 2008, 08:17 PM

Dan's comments are spot on for the modded 012. Michael modded one of my 012's (haven't gotten the second one out to him yet) and the upgrade gave the mic more clarity, a smoother/flatter response, and less self-noise. It's really as simple as that. The mod doesn't alter the "sound" of the 012 just raises it to a higher quality capture that sounds more natural.

One thing to consider though is if you don't already own a pair make sure you buy your new one's from a reputable source that guarantee's the mics to be Russian because if they're chinese I don't think Michael will mod them. 2 reputable resources are The Sound Room and OktavaMod (of course).

layez · 11th June 2008, 08:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Fabi

Some GSs will probably kill me right now, but I like them how they are. I don´t want them to loose their darkness and somehow smeared hfs. This is actually what I want for Overheads or acoustic sometimes. Sometimes not though.

I can dig that. I didnt mod my 2500 for the same reasons.

layez · 11th June 2008, 08:19 PM

For the original poster:

OktavaMod - Shop

khai · 11th June 2008, 09:26 PM

I hesitate between the Oktava 012 Mod and the Beyer MC930 as well.

heisleyamor · 11th June 2008, 09:34 PM

how much does it cost to mod 2 012s?

Corran · 11th June 2008, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by layez

I can dig that. I didnt mod my 2500 for the same reasons.

Did you do anything at all to it? Just wondering, I have a 2500 and I took out the HF discs and some of the screening. But I did it before even trying it out so I don't know what difference I made

I hope to get my 012 pair modded this summer but I have some recordings coming up that I need them for.

Rob-K · 12th June 2008, 03:53 AM

My boss has a pair and swears by 'em. Haven't heard the unmodded ones though.

Rob

khai · 12th June 2008, 09:04 AM

There's a guy that does the Scott Dorsey mod to the Oktava MK-012 who's got samples of the Oktava 319 before and after modification. The result is more an improvement of clarity than a substantial change of character.

http://www.billsrecording.com/CDorder/ModSample.html

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11th June 2008, 07:23 PM	#1
heisleyamor Lives for gear Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,042	How does the Oktava MK-012 mod change the sound? I getting 2 MK-012s soon mostly for overheads for drums and also for acoustic guitar. I am just wondering how the most popular mod for these mics change the sound. I want a really detailed sound but not harsh. I'm a big fan of the KM84s and I hear people comparing these mics to them.

12th June 2008, 03:53 AM	#10
Rob-K Gear interested Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 28	My boss has a pair and swears by 'em. Haven't heard the unmodded ones though. Rob __________________ Engineer / Caffeine Distribution Professional San Diego Recording Studio Services

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11th June 2008, 07:45 PM	#2
danbronson Lives for gear Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Calgary, Alberta Posts: 596	I doubt they will ever really rival KM84s, but for 'that Russian sound' (warm and smooth) they should do very well. I don't have the 012s, but my modded 319 sounds much clearer than stock. Every part of the frequency range, especially the top end, has cleared up and lost the 'haze' it previously had. The mic is less noisy now too. It's really a huge difference, I feel the mic competes on a professional level now whereas before it sounded very entry level to me. That said, it's still a dark sounding mic and does not have ALL the clarity and 'niceness' of a good Neumann or equivalent. From everyone I've talked to (I was strongly considering a modded 012 pair), the mod effects the 012s very similarly. So if you like them stock, you'll love them modded. That said, I've decided against the modded 012s because I've found the Beyerdynamic MC 930 matched pair for ~$690 from Full Compass (you have to call to get that price). From everything I've read, these actually do compete with KM84s. I've read a few reviews by people who bought them saying they upgraded from mics like Mk-012s and even KM184s to the Beyers and are happy with the decision. I will post a review when mine come in. In fact, I really should place that order now...

11th June 2008, 08:01 PM	#3
Fabi Gear nut Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Munich, Germany Posts: 110	I have a pair and i realy like them. There is a shoot out somewhere between the modded and not modded. Some GSs will probably kill me right now, but I like them how they are. I don´t want them to loose their darkness and somehow smeared hfs. This is actually what I want for Overheads or acoustic sometimes. Sometimes not though. You might feel different about that. I also heard (but don´t realy know) that new Oktavas use better parts now, gettig a little closer to the modded ones. Mine are very new and I am very happy with them. Somebody else could probably help here? I think if you like the sound to begin with, why change it? (sorry Mr. Joly - I have a lot of respect for your work!!)

11th June 2008, 08:17 PM	#4
TurboJets Gear maniac Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mesa, AZ Posts: 230	Dan's comments are spot on for the modded 012. Michael modded one of my 012's (haven't gotten the second one out to him yet) and the upgrade gave the mic more clarity, a smoother/flatter response, and less self-noise. It's really as simple as that. The mod doesn't alter the "sound" of the 012 just raises it to a higher quality capture that sounds more natural. One thing to consider though is if you don't already own a pair make sure you buy your new one's from a reputable source that guarantee's the mics to be Russian because if they're chinese I don't think Michael will mod them. 2 reputable resources are The Sound Room and OktavaMod (of course).

11th June 2008, 08:19 PM	#6
layez Gear maniac Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Baltimore Posts: 182	For the original poster: OktavaMod - Shop

11th June 2008, 09:26 PM	#7
khai Gear nut Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 147	I hesitate between the Oktava 012 Mod and the Beyer MC930 as well.

11th June 2008, 09:34 PM	#8
heisleyamor Lives for gear Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 1,042	how much does it cost to mod 2 012s?

12th June 2008, 09:04 AM	#11
khai Gear nut Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 147	There's a guy that does the Scott Dorsey mod to the Oktava MK-012 who's got samples of the Oktava 319 before and after modification. The result is more an improvement of clarity than a substantial change of character. http://www.billsrecording.com/CDorder/ModSample.html