Overheads mic comparison - Shure SM81, Josephson C42, Oktava MK012

[HollowmanPL]

I made a little shootout - maybe someone will find it useful

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FGqkIkKi-fU
cheers
Matt

 

[~BURNY~]

That's really cool. It is kind of sad that your video doesn't gets more attention on the forum.

I honestly think I could use any of these despite their differences. My favorite was the 81 I think in this particular exemple. The C42 came a bit aggressive and the 012 a bit dark but nothing too bad either.

These cheap Stagg chinas are great btw. I have a small 14" SH myself and it sounds great. A bit rawer than the DH series.

 

[Revson]

Nice comparison. All of them are very usuable, but I actually liked the sm81s the least. They sounded a little bland to me.

 

[aortizjr]

Wow thanks for doing this! I have been in the market for some new OH's.

Personally I liked the body and slight darkness of the Oktava's. The SM81's were almost like hyper separated and the C42's where a bit aggressive and harsh to me. The Oktava's were smooth and natural sounding.

 

[HollowmanPL]

That's really cool. It is kind of sad that your video doesn't gets more attention on the forum.

I honestly think I could use any of these despite their differences. My favorite was the 81 I think in this particular exemple. The C42 came a bit aggressive and the 012 a bit dark but nothing too bad either.

These cheap Stagg chinas are great btw. I have a small 14" SH myself and it sounds great. A bit rawer than the DH series.

I've bought/sold few "pro" chinas (zildijan k/z/a 18-19 chinas, pasite 19-20 chinas etc.) and this DH 17" just nailed my taste in 100%. I plan to buy 14" SH or DH china as well

 

[Melodeath]

Thanks for the test. I think the order you hear them matters. If you hear a brighter one second, it might sound harsh, whereas if you heard the brighter one first, the subsequent sample might sound dull/dark.

I don't really have a favorite. Could use any of them. The Oktavas had an interesting "thickness." I wonder if that thickness would remain after a HPF (which is something I always do on OH)

 

[Frost Mutant]

Awesome video!! Really love those sm81's, they sound so pleasant to me.
Very nice sustain on the cymbals, freaking great tracking man! Your mix sounded
cool too, that snare is absolutely sensational!! Thanks for the video dude :}

 

[P-E]

Really good sounds all around, I can see any of these working in a metal mix easily. Great tracking for sure !

 

[KillFrenzy]

Thanks for this, man!

 

[HollowmanPL]

\m/