Small Diaphragm Condenser Microphone Comparison - Shure SM81, Oktava MK-012 & Earthworks OM1
ฝัง
- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 8 ก.ย. 2024
- Welcome to an in-depth and critical comparison of three small diaphragm condenser microphones. This type of microphone is most often used in recordings where detail and an organic real-to-life sound is desired. I cover a brief history of each microphone manufacturer and also take a look at their frequency response charts. Drum overhead and acoustic guitar samples are provided in this video!
Special thanks to Los Angeles Session Drummer Garrit Tillman and Singer/Songwriter Steve Dukeheart for offering an honest critique of these mics.
Please offer any comments or questions you may have for me! Thanks so much for watching, enjoy!
Oktava MK-012 0:54
Shure SM81 2:18
Earthworks OM1 3:52
Drum Overhead Samples 5:57
Conversation with Drummer Garrit Tillman 7:05
Acoustic Guitar Samples 10:42
Conversation with Songwriter Steve Dukeheart 11:49
Final Thoughts 17:02
Please visit / jamesmeder to encourage more videos like this to happen in the future. Thank you!
View the Pro Tools session/mix heard in this video at bit.ly/2LsP0bM
Download the multitrack 24bit/48kHz .wav audio by contributing on my Patreon Page - judge the sound of each mic for yourself!
FEATURED MICS (AMAZON LINKS):
Shure SM81 amzn.to/2FMY6PE
Oktava MK-012 amzn.to/2SXi6TD
Earthworks OM1 (current production - M30) amzn.to/2W1qi7f
SOURCES & FURTHER RESEARCH
www.shure.com/a...
Shure SM81 Spec Sheet PDF bit.ly/2T2uEsu
Recording Hacks Database bit.ly/1fdi0N6
www.oktavausa....
Oktava MK-012 Spec Sheet PDF bit.ly/2Gtick2
Recording Hacks Database bit.ly/2A86upE
Mojo Pie Review bit.ly/2T7trAn
earthworksaudi...
Earthworks OM1 Spec Sheet PDF bit.ly/2PRCwuI
David Blackmer Speaks on "Perceptual Perfection" bit.ly/2R9CdAi
David Blackmer “Life Beyond 20kHz” bit.ly/2UXw7SE
Earthworks M30 Manual PDF bit.ly/2rN4Vsp
Recording Hacks Database bit.ly/2PUSlBf
PERFORMED BY
Drums: Garrit Tillman
Bass Guitar & Synthesizers: Gio DoCanto
Guitars: Yours Truly
Special thanks to Rob Lynn for loaning the Shure and Earthworks microphones.
WEBSITES
Pique Recording Studio www.piquerecord...
James Meder Music www.jamesmederm...
#Shure #Oktava #Earthworks
![Best Small Diaphragm Condenser Mics: Ultimate Shootout [Updated Audio]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/YRuC3s7VzVI/mqdefault.jpg)
Download the multitrack to the music created for the this video at www.patreon.com/jamesmeder
The 3 microphones are within the session on drum overhead and acoustic guitar! Thanks for the support!
James Meder hi James, I’ve been watching several of your tutorials and really appreciate what you do for the community.
Love the energy here.
Blessings, philip
@@vqsstudio Thank you Philip! Very much appreciated :)
Hey man, I was just wondering if you were recording with a pair or just single mic each time?
Love the vid, thank you for this.
The Oktava sounds great, it sounds even better if you look at the price.
I agree it sounds very full but not too heavy - I'm sure it captures more than enough lower frequency data that you could boost the low end quite a lot - although I'm not 100% sure of it's transient performance - maybe the membrane is slowed absorbing lower frequencies, or it isn't stiff enough. I remember from the few years I did play drums that there is a very sharp ring in the millisecond you hit the ride bell which I didn't hear. But I mean I doubt my headphones would play it even if it was in the video. Something like a woodblock would be very interesting - maybe that's a video idea here; these 3 mics demonstrated at low, mid and high transient frequencies.
Oktava on Guitar was really good!
Greg Anikin thanks for watching and leaving some feedback. The Oktava was my favorite as well! - James Meder
I appreciate the work you put into this.
You're welcome and thank you so much for watching! -James Meder
Guitar:
10:42 - Shure
11:04 - Oktava
11:26 - Earthworks
5:58 Drums
10:42 Guitar
you're a life saver, I hate when a reviewer keep beating around the bush with useless talks about the spec
From Russia with Love! I think the Oktava sounded best both times!
Thanks for watching! I agree it's a beautiful sounding microphone! -James Meder
Well done! Nice comparison and commentary. Very useful. Thank you!
You're welcome, I'm glad to hear it was helpful! 😊 -James Meder
Awesome content, man! Just found your channel! Also just picked up a personal pair of 81’s. I’ve used them in sessions for 15+ years and just never grabbed my own pair for some reason haha. IMO, they are one of the best and most versatile SDC’s out there.
The Oktava has really sweet midrange but less top end/detail. Shure and Earthworks sound scooped. I really like the Oktava as drum room mics!
Wonderful thoughts Gabriel! I like the Oktavas as drum room mics as well. Happy recording and thanks for watching! - James Meder
I just came from a video where the Oktava had tons of high end clarity. Lots of variables at play I guess.
@@ericfricke4512 the detail is there in the oktavas, but it is not as hyped as some other SDC
After looking at the charts it makes a lot of sense to hear that organic warmth in the Oktava. I was not surprised he liked it best, so would I - even though one might argue neutral is better than warm (for an all-round microphone), then again getting the desired sound straight out of the mic, having to manipulate less, is certainly a good thing.
the oktava in guitar feels great for the guitar and the performer !!
just a thought . nicework (y)
Thanks for the feedback! I agree with your thought, the Oktava does sound great on acoustic!
luis david palacio diaz
Agreed! Octavia is so sweet on acoustics! James, this is a fantastic review here. You’re also a great audio teacher. Thank you Sensei James!
Lots of support from VisionQuest Sound! - Philip
@@vqsstudio You're welcome Philip!
I loved you style of making videos, it was relaxing, interesting and informative ... well done man!! I really enjoyed the video
Such a great runthrough, I have a matched pair of this Oktava mic ordered for, mostly, livestreaming setup. The flattering nuances with an acoustic guitar that you guys stated, ensure it also being good for my quite middrangey voice, so I hope to get warm sounds on both. Thanks!
Wonderful, very glad to hear this was helpful! 😊 -James Meder
@@JamesMeder Oktavas came well and performed even better than expected. I ran them through a Tascam DR-70D which is a standalone 4 channel audio mixer/recorder suitable to mount under a camera for.ex. and have a killer live filming setup. This mixer has 70db of gain on the preamps which is not so common for it's price range. Love it. But then I also got me an Arturia AudioFuse Studio interface for my computer, that made Oktavas shine in Logic and Ableton. I'm so pleased with the mics that I'm planning to expand the setup with a large diafragm and omni capsules. Thanks again for a good video!
Nice video! Here's a thought: If you like the sound of the Oktava on the snare, use it for that in addition to the 57 you've got on there. (you can just gaff tape them together to eliminate excessive clips/stands) Blend those two together and then use the SM81(s) for your overheads since you liked the presence of those. I've been experimenting with a buddy using an SM81, Rode M5 pair, Crown CM700 pair, and he's also got a pair of these Oktava's but we've yet to try those out. Can't wait to see how they compete on snare with the CM700.
Great video and great breakdown of the mics. Definitely subbed (:
Jaxx Martinez thanks so much watching and for the support, Jaxx! - James Meder
Great presentation - specific and to the point. I'm also leaning towards small diaphragm mics now, specifically for acoustic guitar, mandolin, and balalaika. It's between the SM81 and Oktava, which seems to be the one for me. Thank you for this video.
gracias James! excelente video!
You're welcome, thank you so much for stopping by! -James Meder
The Oktava on the guitar is amazing if we are thinking about prices. It sounds great, better tan the other two... so close I know, but the prices are so different. Nice video.
Just subscribed. Keep up the long form. Good shit
What was the placement of the mics on the kit?
The omni mic is especially good for very close mic'ing delicate instruments. Omni's don't have the boomy proximity effect.
SM81 is underrated.
Besides sounding great it can probably drive nails. It has been a standard in every sound production company's work box more than 30 years. You will get a lot of use from this mic for decades.
I think this doesn't do the oktava mics justice as the mps6 version of the mk012s do come with Omni directional capsules. Would've been nice to hear those as overheads compared to the earthworks which are also Omni
Great content dude
Stevie & The Masquerades thank you so much for watching 🤗
Professional video
Great video
You should have added omni capsule for Oktava to the comparison. Since 1996 the 012 evolved into a serious system: by default and as the cheapest option it is sold with a cardioid SD capsule but the system now includes not only three traditional small-diaphragm capsules (omni, cardioid, hypercardioid) but also large-diaphragm horizontal cardioid and large-diaphragm vertical cardioid, and that can be ordered as matched pairs. Also some folks customize them by building custom circuitry. I have a 012A kit of three SD capsules and a pad, originally from 2003 but with with a custom PCB.
I heard people comparing Oktava mics, at least customized, to Schoeps and Neumann - not sure how close that is to reality but they definitely more than worth the money and (outside Russia) an effort to get them. Greetings from Moscow (which is not the home of Oktava, the bureau and factory are in Tula, a 2.5-3-hour drive or a train ride from Moscow; within Russia and outside circles of sound specialists Tula is famous for armaments manufacturing, samovars - e.g. tabletop water boilers, and ‘pryanik’ pastries).
Yeah, once being Omni was an obvious give away. Either use all omnis or all cardioids to make the blind test even harder.
Great video, mate.
It would be interesting to hear the Octava and Shure mics against a cardioid Earthworks mic. :)
Nice one, James!
Thanks for watching Alex!
Great test, appreciate it! Do you have other examples of the Oktava's sound? I really like them in this video!
Thanks for asking! If you'd like to hear the raw audio of these mics, you can visit www.patreon.com/James Meder and for $5 download the session for the song heard in this video. It has the entire song on drum overhead and acoustic guitar for all 3 of the small diaphragm condenser mics. The drum overhead I ended up using for this mix is the Oktava! Also, almost all of my other videos feature the Oktava on drum overheads. I plan to use it for featured videos as well. I like the sound of them a lot!
Very informative.
Thanks again Silent Bob! - James Meder
@@JamesMeder Keep on rocking on man. These microphone comparisons are some of the best.
@@silent_bob_ So great to hear! I've been slow to making more but I have some comparisons up my sleeve for the future.
good job dude
Nice job! The Oktava sounds much better. The AT is a great mic too.
I've been using octava mks since the late 90s. I picked up 6 3caps sets for a unbeatable deal. $200 total new. Going outta business sale. Also licked a sweet Martin d28. And a neuman u87
you son of a bitch!
6:07 SHURE
6:30 OKTAVA
The AKG 214 your using for voice recording is my favorite for drum overheads, In Matched Stereo Pair.
That´s 414 tho
@@luk7n That's even better. I would love to have a pair of 414's.
On the overheads the Earthworks is the best, those cymbals so creamy, but a bit lifeless on guitar. The oktava was nice, but a bit harsh, on overheads, great and vivid on guitar. The SM81 was so harsh on overheads and also on guitar. I would buy the oktavas.
Thanks
You're very welcome, thanks for watching! - James Meder
i prefer the earthworks on my beyer dynamic T1 headphones (B&W MM-1 headphones output). It has a bit more soundstage, and is a bit more detail for my feeling.. but super close
interesting but in a dense rock mix the sweet oktavas would win out, its better to subtract with digi eq, than boost the shure on the drums
plus the ride is tamer on the oktav
oktava is the best microphone for ovrheads and for classical music..
Hello James, is there a significant difference between the Oktava MK-012-01 Cardioid Microphone vs the Oktava MK-012 MSP6. Looks like they only sell the latter as a set. Great information by the way. Thanks
Richard Baca Thanks so much for watching Richard! After doing some quick research the MSP6 set comes with a cardioid capsule, which will be exactly the same when compared to the MK-012-01, and the capsule I’m using in this video. I hope this helps! - James Meder
There's no difference. MSP6 means Matched Stereo Pair 6 (as in comes 2 of each of the standard MK-012 capsules). If I'm being honest the only capsule that I think is necessary is the hypercardioid capsule for filming. There are better sounding cardioid and omni small diaphragm condensers, like the Line Audio CM4 and Line Audio OM1 (yes, it uses the same model name as the Earthworks mic), and each of those is about $100.
@@dylanj8676 it's better than the mk012? the oktavas sound so sweet though! especially on acoustics. just listen!
@@levijessegonzalez3629 The MK-012 really shines with the hypercardioid capsules. Line Audio's stuff is really neutral (like ruler flat), so they're great mics for acoustic instruments. The MK-012 capsules are good too, but the Line Audios have lower self noise, and pretty much cost what an MK-012 capsule costs.
@@dylanj8676 why hypercardioid? I've never heard them with that but I prefer the Omni on them. so you would suggest a cm4 for an all around we more than the mk012?
Very interesting! Please tell me what music that sounding in background constantly?
5:58 Sound Test
Millennials showing extreme respect for each others skills and knowledge;
M1 "absolutely"
M2 "totally"
Very nice video, pity my Sony ZX110 headphones had no chance to hear that 9 and 30k Hz although it did have a more "I'm sitting in a chair next to the instrument" feeling in each case whereas the other two had more of a "I'm listening to cleanly produced music" feel.
good one
do you ever use oktava's -10 pad for overheads?
******** keep cool!
jens villy pedersen thanks so much for watching! 🤘🏼
Except the shure sm81 isn’t built to last, they ultimately meet the garbage can due to electret failure at which point shure wants more cash to replace(not fix)something u took perfect care of…., ask me how I know
The overhead test begins 5:58 thank me later.
Thanks so much! As someone toying between getting a pair of the Oktavas or a pair of 451s this video has been absolutely invaluable 👍
Also, what is the synth playing in that background music? Sounds great.
Which version of the MK-012 are you interested in? For me the hypercardioid capsule is the only interesting one. Most cheap super/hyper cardioid mics are kind of hyped, but the MK-012's are very neutral.
For cardioid check out the iSK Pearl or Line Audio CM4. Omni look at Line Audio's OM1, or look at the omni capsules of the iSK Little Gem.
But the MK-012 is great for a cheap hypercardioid mic, there's a reason why it's well known for indie videography. Not even just indie either, it's often used in place of a Schoeps when people don't want to risk damage to their Schoeps CMC641.
Would
Hair!
lol Thanks Marco! - James Meder
Comparing microphones at 128kps AAC compressed files (thanks youtube) is a hopeless endeavour, why on earth people do that
For drums, Shure SM81. For guitar, all three suck. Is it a $300 guitar?
I'm sending you 20 bucks to get the rest of your hair cut. lmao
Dude I am sorry but this is a chat video and not sound samples.
I get your good intention but I came for the soundcard not for the chitchat
Get a haircut.