Do you plan to mod your Oktava?

Ed Kukla · May 22nd, 2009, 09:31 PM

does this mod do anything for handling noise??

Chris Swanberg · May 23rd, 2009, 11:30 PM

No.... it only improves the electronics. Handling noise is unchanged. That said, I know this mic has some handling noise issues, but they are not unmanageable IMHO. Clean boom technique is all it needs. Now ... if you want to use a "painter's pole" boom coupled with cheap pole microphone mounting option, THAT may be an issue with this mic.

Stuart Graham · June 19th, 2009, 03:39 AM

My modded MC-012 microphone arrived yesterday, it was delayed in customs, and I had a quick go with it last night. I must say that even with only a foam windshield on and waving it around on the shock mount I couldn't detect any handling noise at all. Maybe the newer versions don't suffer from it as much. I'm going to do some audio tests on it at the weekend and I'll post the recordings in case anyone wants to have a listen.

Petri Kaipiainen · June 21st, 2009, 07:57 AM

Are you guys modding also NEW Oktavas?

I thought new models were redesigned with the modification "built in"?

Is this Okatava modding fad just a carryover from the past?

Chris Swanberg · June 21st, 2009, 12:50 PM

Oktava has not incorporated the newer better components into their product last I knew and so yes, even brand new Oktavas (at least as of about a year ago anyway) can benefit from the mod.

Jack Walker · June 21st, 2009, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petri Kaipiainen

Are you guys modding also NEW Oktavas?

I thought new models were redesigned with the modification "built in"?

Is this Okatava modding fad just a carryover from the past?

This site covers the different Oktava mics, different mods for both old and new mics, and more:
OktavaMod - Affordable Boutique Microphones

Stuart Graham · June 23rd, 2009, 10:05 AM

To Petri:

Argh!

To Chris:

Phew!

That's good, I just had mine modded. Sounds pretty good too.

Dana Love · June 29th, 2009, 06:44 AM

The mod work is all internal to microphone body, right? It touches neither the capsules nor the XLR connector?

My Oktava has a finicky XLR connector. Sometimes it's perfect the first time, other times it requires some wiggling to seat the XLR cable properly. It doesn't ever click into place; the Oktava just doesn't have that feature. While it's keyed, it's more of a notch in the connector housing.

Anyone else have this problem, or a resolution?

Rick Reineke · June 29th, 2009, 02:15 PM

I find the Switchcraft connectors go in/on and latch easier on my 012s than Neutrik's... which I generally prefer.

Kevin Walsh · June 29th, 2009, 07:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Swanberg

Oktava has not incorporated the newer better components into their product last I knew and so yes, even brand new Oktavas (at least as of about a year ago anyway) can benefit from the mod.

I'm not sure that this is correct. There was a pretty extensive discussion about this on another forum.
Low Cost Small Condenser Options - Page 2 - DVXuser.com -- The online community for filmmaking

Jonathan Plotkin · July 1st, 2009, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick Reineke

I find the Switchcraft connectors go in/on and latch easier on my 012s than Neutrik's... which I generally prefer.

I have the same problem and the same solution. I use cables with Switchcraft connectors instead of Neutrik.

Dana Love · July 3rd, 2009, 08:22 AM

Rick, Jonathan, thanks! I'll grab a different cable and see if it works.

May 23rd, 2009, 11:30 PM	#17
Chris Swanberg Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 904	No.... it only improves the electronics. Handling noise is unchanged. That said, I know this mic has some handling noise issues, but they are not unmanageable IMHO. Clean boom technique is all it needs. Now ... if you want to use a "painter's pole" boom coupled with cheap pole microphone mounting option, THAT may be an issue with this mic. Last edited by Chris Swanberg; May 24th, 2009 at 12:34 AM.

June 19th, 2009, 03:39 AM	#18
Stuart Graham Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Selby UK Posts: 274	My modded MC-012 microphone arrived yesterday, it was delayed in customs, and I had a quick go with it last night. I must say that even with only a foam windshield on and waving it around on the shock mount I couldn't detect any handling noise at all. Maybe the newer versions don't suffer from it as much. I'm going to do some audio tests on it at the weekend and I'll post the recordings in case anyone wants to have a listen. __________________ Stuart Graham www.magentapictures.com

June 23rd, 2009, 10:05 AM	#22
Stuart Graham Major Player Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Selby UK Posts: 274	To Petri: Argh! To Chris: Phew! That's good, I just had mine modded. Sounds pretty good too. __________________ Stuart Graham www.magentapictures.com

May 22nd, 2009, 09:31 PM	#16
Ed Kukla Major Player Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: All over, USA Posts: 512	does this mod do anything for handling noise??

June 21st, 2009, 07:57 AM	#19
Petri Kaipiainen Major Player Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Espoo Finland Posts: 380	Are you guys modding also NEW Oktavas? I thought new models were redesigned with the modification "built in"? Is this Okatava modding fad just a carryover from the past?

June 21st, 2009, 12:50 PM	#20
Chris Swanberg Major Player Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 904	Oktava has not incorporated the newer better components into their product last I knew and so yes, even brand new Oktavas (at least as of about a year ago anyway) can benefit from the mod.

June 29th, 2009, 06:44 AM	#23
Dana Love Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 63	The mod work is all internal to microphone body, right? It touches neither the capsules nor the XLR connector? My Oktava has a finicky XLR connector. Sometimes it's perfect the first time, other times it requires some wiggling to seat the XLR cable properly. It doesn't ever click into place; the Oktava just doesn't have that feature. While it's keyed, it's more of a notch in the connector housing. Anyone else have this problem, or a resolution?

June 29th, 2009, 02:15 PM	#24
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,038	I find the Switchcraft connectors go in/on and latch easier on my 012s than Neutrik's... which I generally prefer.

July 3rd, 2009, 08:22 AM	#27
Dana Love Regular Crew Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Chesterfield, VA Posts: 63	Rick, Jonathan, thanks! I'll grab a different cable and see if it works.