Oktava MKL-111

High-End classical tube microphone

Overview
Technical specifications
Frequency response
Applications
Sound samples
Reviews

Buy original Oktava MKL-111

Overview

Developing a line of high-end tube microphones Oktava sets a goal to create a capsule, similar to the best classical models. The new Oktava MKL-111 was specially developed for this double-seded new capsule with a monolithic electrode

This new tube microphone has a unique continuously variable pick-up pattern. So it is possible to adjust any necessary directional characteristic in the range from omnidirectional to hypercardioid and to figure-of-eight.

All electronics is mounted inside a heavy brass body, which eliminates a possibility of internal resonances. The preamp schematic is based on the vintage hand selected triode EC92. High-quality transformer provides minimal distortion and a high overload capability.

Technical specifications
Polar Pattern	Omni-directional / Hypercardoid / Figure-of-eight
Frequency Response	20hz to 20kHz
Sensitivity	20 / 25 / 35 mV/Pa
Power	Power supply unit supplied
Output Impedance	300 Ohm nominal
Minimum load impedance	1 k Ohm
Max SPL @ 1kHz	> 136dB
Signal-to-noise ratio	69 / 71 / 74 dB
Dimesions	Ø64х255 mm
Weight	1,5kg
Relative Humidity	85% (+25 degrees C)

Frequency response

Cardoid

Omni-directional

Figure-of-eight

Application notes MKL-111 (Ambience)

Room (or ambient) Mics: 1 x MKL 111

The MKL-111 could be the only mic you need for miking up a full drum kit. The clarity of the top end with colour added by the tube circuitry of this mic will give a wonderfully detailed full and rich sound. Each drum and cymbal should come through clearly and brightly. For the simplistic approach the sound created by this set up is unmatchable even with hours of experimentation on mic placement and application suitability with a bunch of other mics.

Place the MKL 111 about 1.5 foot above the level of the highest cymbal with the stand about 2 foot behind the drummers stool and face the mic angled down towards the centre of the kit.

Sound samples

Guitar 1 (3,95mb)
Guitar 2 (3,47mb)
Speech - figure-of-8 (5,1mb)
Speech - omni (4,25mb)
Speech - cardioid (4,38mb)

Reviews

"... Gerade bei Sprach- und Gesangsaufnahmen offenbart das MKL-111 einen sehr angenehmen, warmen aber direkten und ehrlichen Sound, der sich jederzeit mit den High-End-Mikrofonen anderer Hersteller messen kann, die teilweise noch um einiges teurer sind. Vor allem die Sauberkeit des Klanges verblüfft mich hier total.
...
Bei der Akustikgitarrenaufnahme kommt es natürlich in erster Linie auf die Positionierung am Instrument an, aber hat man die richtige Position erst gefunden, ist der Sound genial. Reichlich Volumen im Low-End-Bereich, aber auch die seidig-weichen hohen Frequenzen können überzeugen. Im mittleren Bereich des Frequenzspektrums, gerade im Attack-Bereich der Stahl-Saiten, hat dieses Mikrofon eine sehr gute Zeichnung..."

"...Especially in speech and vocal recording reveals the MKL-111 a very pleasant, warm but direct and honest sound that can always compete with the high-end microphones of other partially much more expensive brands. Especially the cleanliness of the sound stunned me here totally.
...
When recording acoustic guitar, it is of course the positioning of the mic at the instrument very important. But after finding the right position the sound is awesome. Plenty of volume in the low-end range, but also the silky-smooth high frequencies can convince. In the middle range of the spectrum, especially in the attack portion of the steel strings, this mic has a very good figure..."

Chris Lausmann

Recording Magazin 3/12