Is a $350 Oktava still a good deal?

[KeithAdv]

Hi slutz....

I'm looking for a not-too-expensive SDC for recording steel- and nylon-string acoustic guitars (that would be its only use).

There has been a lot of talk about how what a wonderful deal the Oktava was when you could get it for $100. But today, if I want to get an authentic Russian Oktava multi-capsule from the Sound Room, that's $350.

My question is--is that still a great deal? Or are there any comparable or better in the < $350 range?

Thanks for all input, folks!

[sethmeister]

There are a lot of really nice SDC's to choose from in that price range (approx $700 bucks a pair):

Beyerdynamic MC930's
Josephson C42's
Peluso CEMC6

I don't think at that price the MK012 is the slam dunk it once was.

Originally Posted by KeithAdv

Hi slutz....

I'm looking for a not-too-expensive SDC for recording steel- and nylon-string acoustic guitars (that would be its only use).

There has been a lot of talk about how what a wonderful deal the Oktava was when you could get it for $100. But today, if I want to get an authentic Russian Oktava multi-capsule from the Sound Room, that's $350.

My question is--is that still a great deal? Or are there any comparable or better in the < $350 range?

Thanks for all input, folks!

[danbronson]

Originally Posted by sethmeister

There are a lot of really nice SDC's to choose from in that price range (approx $700 bucks a pair):

Beyerdynamic MC930's
Josephson C42's
Peluso CEMC6

I don't think at that price the MK012 is the slam dunk it once was.

+1

If you can find a pair for cheap, go for it. They're good mics. But I have those Beyers and I can attest, that's a damn fine mic!

[djanogil]

Hey they're not $350 , look

here

and they're good mics

[KeithAdv]

Isn't that price in Euros? Comes out to only a little less than $350, not counting shipping from Europe.

[Tomer1]

Per mic,

Im not sure you cant do better for less money with the Maudio Pulsar2 or SP C4mk2s.

[warhead]

I'm telling you in my experience it's still an incredible value, people are also comparing to cardioid only mics and you're looking at having extra capsules included so there is no comparison. The MK-012 is great stuff and I think a great fit for what you're doing.

War

[TurboJets]

Keep in mind, "pick-of-the-litter" Oktava mics and capsules are what the Sound Room sells, so you're getting fully tested equipment that's inspected by guys that really care about only selling the best - and guaranteed. I've been thrilled by my past Oktava purchases from the sound room.

I also really love 012's for classical guitar.

Having said that, there are other combinations of mics/pre's that will give you great results on classical guitars as well as other critical needs. My fave is a 4033 and "Alice" mic in X/Y config. through EH 12AY7 pre's, but "Alice" mics aren't exactly mainstream. For really great mids I've been impressed by the Heil PR30 which produces beefier lows IMO and I'm a fan of getting aggressive mids when tracking classical guitar.

Like the posts above indicate, there are a lot of great options so don't limit yourself.

[warhead]

In the old days when there were 2 places to buy Oktava, the Sound Room and Guitar Center, it meant a lot to spend more money as Oktava wasn't really up with quality control. These days Oktava sells all quality mics, all factory tested and QC'd properly, to small mom & pop dealers. The issues of the past do not apply to modern production models from Oktava. There has been no need to cherry pick, and nobody is throwing away stuff like they're going through a bad batch of apples or anything like that!

I don't believe we've had a single issue with Oktava.

War

[KeithAdv]

Originally Posted by TurboJets

...there are other combinations of mics/pre's...

FWIW, in my case the pre is a Pacifica, although I never unracked my old VTB-1, which I kind of like on some DI stuff.

I'm really appreciating all the input. Thanks all!