Oktava MK-012 isssue
Oktava MK-012 isssue
Hi all,
So I plugged in one of my normally great Oktava MK-012s today and it is suddenly putting out a lot of static hiss and a degraded signal. Swapped it with my other one just to check signal path and the other one is working fine. So it's an issue with that particular mic.
Anyone heard of this problem? Recommended fixes? Can someone point me to a good repair source in the metro-NY area if that becomes necessary?
Thanks a lot,
Charles
So I plugged in one of my normally great Oktava MK-012s today and it is suddenly putting out a lot of static hiss and a degraded signal. Swapped it with my other one just to check signal path and the other one is working fine. So it's an issue with that particular mic.
Anyone heard of this problem? Recommended fixes? Can someone point me to a good repair source in the metro-NY area if that becomes necessary?
Thanks a lot,
Charles
- Nick Sevilla
- on a wing and a prayer
- Posts: 5555
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:34 pm
- Location: Lake Arrowhead California USA
- Contact:
Re: Oktava MK-012 isssue
Hi,CharlesM wrote:Hi all,
So I plugged in one of my normally great Oktava MK-012s today and it is suddenly putting out a lot of static hiss and a degraded signal. Swapped it with my other one just to check signal path and the other one is working fine. So it's an issue with that particular mic.
Anyone heard of this problem? Recommended fixes? Can someone point me to a good repair source in the metro-NY area if that becomes necessary?
Thanks a lot,
Charles
For repairs, probably Michael Joly.
It sounds as if there is a capacitor that went faulty, and is allowing some voltage through it at all times, and not grounding properly anymore.
Cheers
Howling at the neighbors. Hoping they have more mic cables.
- Nick Sevilla
- on a wing and a prayer
- Posts: 5555
- Joined: Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:34 pm
- Location: Lake Arrowhead California USA
- Contact:
That is a possibility, however, with Small Diameter Condensers (SDCs) I usually find like cgarges, that they simply stop passing signal if the capsule gets moist.standup wrote:Couldn't this also relate to moisture in the capsule (humidity)?
Swapping cables is always a good practice.
Unscrew the capsule, clean the contacts, reassemble?
That's what I'd start with.
I have seen this with LDCs, especially ones that are 1" or larger. The fix there is to get rid of the humidity slowly, with a dry silicon bag, placed inside a plastic baggie that can be sealed, like a resealable sandwich bag or similar. Trying another method might ruin the capsule...
Cheers
Howling at the neighbors. Hoping they have more mic cables.
I have one that just stopped working too. I think it's pretty common with these "legends"
From the Oktavamod page...
MK-012 Repair Option $69.00
To upgrade a non-working MK-012 you must purchase this Repair Option as well at the MK-012 PE upgrade.
Non-working MK-012 mics require troubleshooting and parts replacement (often the capsule receiving connector) that go beyond the standard Premium Electronics option for MK-012 mics in good working order.
I'm thinking of getting the mod, and the repair.... or maybe just cut my losses?
I have a matched pair that I never really liked.... I bought a pair of RED caps that I really like.... SO now I like the mikes but now one doesn't work??
SOOOO.....As long as I'm sending it out for repair I might as well get the mods???
Add another $269 to what I already have into these things and I'm starting to feel like a bit of a sucker.
From the Oktavamod page...
MK-012 Repair Option $69.00
To upgrade a non-working MK-012 you must purchase this Repair Option as well at the MK-012 PE upgrade.
Non-working MK-012 mics require troubleshooting and parts replacement (often the capsule receiving connector) that go beyond the standard Premium Electronics option for MK-012 mics in good working order.
I'm thinking of getting the mod, and the repair.... or maybe just cut my losses?
I have a matched pair that I never really liked.... I bought a pair of RED caps that I really like.... SO now I like the mikes but now one doesn't work??
SOOOO.....As long as I'm sending it out for repair I might as well get the mods???
Add another $269 to what I already have into these things and I'm starting to feel like a bit of a sucker.
- Michael_Joly
- pushin' record
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:12 am
- Contact:
I've priced the repair this way because I'm not in the general mic repair business and prefer to add value through sonic upgrades. I offer the repair service as a courtesy service for folks who send in their mics for modification and need to also have them fixed. In some cases the Premium Electronics mod fixes the problem. In these cases I just refund the repair charge. In other cases it requires parts and labor beyond what is involved in the Premium Electronics upgrade hence the charge.Harry wrote:I have one that just stopped working too. I think it's pretty common with these "legends"
From the Oktavamod page...
MK-012 Repair Option $69.00
To upgrade a non-working MK-012 you must purchase this Repair Option as well at the MK-012 PE upgrade.
Non-working MK-012 mics require troubleshooting and parts replacement (often the capsule receiving connector) that go beyond the standard Premium Electronics option for MK-012 mics in good working order...
- Marc Alan Goodman
- george martin
- Posts: 1399
- Joined: Tue Oct 28, 2003 7:57 pm
- Location: NYC
- Contact:
Yep, I'd try switching the capsules around and see if the problem moves as stated above, though I also doubt it.
Spending an extra $250 on those oktavas is still worth it in my opinion. They're amazing mics. If you never need to sell them it doesn't matter how much you spent.
Of you could just find someone with an LCR tester and have them beep out the caps for you and tell you if that's the problem. They are a pretty simple circuit. Know any DIY dorks? Hell, I might be able to do it at strange weather if you want to come by at some point.
Spending an extra $250 on those oktavas is still worth it in my opinion. They're amazing mics. If you never need to sell them it doesn't matter how much you spent.
Of you could just find someone with an LCR tester and have them beep out the caps for you and tell you if that's the problem. They are a pretty simple circuit. Know any DIY dorks? Hell, I might be able to do it at strange weather if you want to come by at some point.
-
- dead but not forgotten
- Posts: 2037
- Joined: Wed Sep 22, 2004 10:22 am
- Location: Ramah, New Mexico
Harry, check to make sure you don't have a short inside the body where the xlr socket wires to the pcb. It happens sometimes. PIA though because those little screws are so tiny.Harry wrote:I have one that just stopped working too. I think it's pretty common with these "legends"
From the Oktavamod page...
MK-012 Repair Option $69.00
To upgrade a non-working MK-012 you must purchase this Repair Option as well at the MK-012 PE upgrade.
Non-working MK-012 mics require troubleshooting and parts replacement (often the capsule receiving connector) that go beyond the standard Premium Electronics option for MK-012 mics in good working order.
I'm thinking of getting the mod, and the repair.... or maybe just cut my losses?
I have a matched pair that I never really liked.... I bought a pair of RED caps that I really like.... SO now I like the mikes but now one doesn't work??
SOOOO.....As long as I'm sending it out for repair I might as well get the mods???
Add another $269 to what I already have into these things and I'm starting to feel like a bit of a sucker.
"The mushroom states its own position very clearly. It says, "I require the nervous system of a mammal. Do you have one handy?" Terrence McKenna
KennyLusk wrote:Harry, check to make sure you don't have a short inside the body where the xlr socket wires to the pcb. It happens sometimes. PIA though because those little screws are so tiny.Harry wrote:I have one that just stopped working too. I think it's pretty common with these "legends"
From the Oktavamod page...
MK-012 Repair Option $69.00
To upgrade a non-working MK-012 you must purchase this Repair Option as well at the MK-012 PE upgrade.
Non-working MK-012 mics require troubleshooting and parts replacement (often the capsule receiving connector) that go beyond the standard Premium Electronics option for MK-012 mics in good working order.
I'm thinking of getting the mod, and the repair.... or maybe just cut my losses?
I have a matched pair that I never really liked.... I bought a pair of RED caps that I really like.... SO now I like the mikes but now one doesn't work??
SOOOO.....As long as I'm sending it out for repair I might as well get the mods???
Add another $269 to what I already have into these things and I'm starting to feel like a bit of a sucker.
....Man ..I have like ten giant thumbs that are only good for riding faders and bending the shit out of heavy gage guitar strings:)
By the way Mr. Joly.... I was in no way harshing on you're prices or services.
69 bucks is not a steep price for a repair IMO
I'm just starting to wonder if these mikes are worth the attention.
They're on my list....but pretty far down.
- Michael_Joly
- pushin' record
- Posts: 243
- Joined: Fri Jan 26, 2007 1:12 am
- Contact:
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 37 guests