Mid-Side Recording Technique; Neumann vs Oktava Microphone Test

Matt McGlynn from recordinghacks.com hosts the first episode of The Microphone Show at Loudville Studio. With him is Stephen Hart, Mathew Trogner & Paul Simmans to discuss mid side recording with pairs of Neumann KM88 & Oktava MK-012. Playing the guitar is Chi McClean. Audio files from the session can be downloaded at http://microphoneshow.com/1

check out http://recordinghacks.com http://www.loudville.tv & http://www.chimcclean.com

Category:

Music

Tags:

• recordinghacks
• mid-side
• recording technique
• recording studio
• microphoneshow
• loudville
• neumann
• oktava
• chi
• mcclean
• mk012
• km88i
• acoustic
• guitar
• studio
• mid
• side
• stereo
• microphone
• matt
• mcglynn
• stephen
• hart
• paul
• simmans
• mathew
• trogner
• techniques
• musical instruments
• studio version
• millennia
• dcommand
• genelec
• avid
• taylor

[daikuone]

Matt, I guess I should have seen this first! This is exactly what I wanted to see. Now with eq and placement, how close could you get the Oktava to the Neumann. For a further test, would love to see the stock Oktava vs a modded Mk-012

GREAT STUFF!

[moproducer]

There seems to be some confusion here by the host. The MS technique is not an encoded format (as such as a digital datastream), but rather a matrix, based on phase relationship. You don't "encode" and "decode" MS tracks.

I like the sound of the KM88s. They are somewhat reminiscent of the old KM86, maybe a little less bottom. I used those extensively on acoustic guitars in the 70s, for which I preferred them over U67s or M49s. Wonderful through a Quad-Eight mike pre.

[mkxmusic]

fantastic video!! VERY well done gentlemen. The discussion was very insightful and I enjoyed all the different points of view. I had never heard recordings from the Oktavas mics before (or the Neumann km88s .... though I bet some of my favorite records used the km88s) and came away impressed, especially for the price. I'll be eagerly awaiting future shows!

[recordinghacks]

@purpleshoes, details on the mics can be found at The Microphone Show website; see the URL in the video description.

[purpleshoes]

are these stock MK-012s?

[OcelliMusic]

Thank You very much!!!

that was such an insightful video

my oh my...thanks!!!

[mtsoundengineer]

The side of the Oktava, is the Oktava MK-012, it is not a ribbon.

[williamtcook]

why would you do this test with matching neumann, and a fat head ribbon for the side with the oktava? not a very controlled experiment.

[EvanOz85]

Wonderful idea for a show. Please, please continue making episodes!

[maestrodon]

I have a matched pair of the Oktava MK-012 mics. They are useful. I almost hate listen to the Neumann comparison. I'll still use my MK-012s, but now I know how much better some situations can be. (OK, I already knew, but it's more apparent with your demo.)

SUGGESTION for future shows. Compare tube mics with their FET counterparts. (Example, Lawson makes interchangeable electronics for their L251 and L47 capsules.) Discuss when you would use FET eletronics and when you would use tube.