Oktava MK-012 and Tascam DR-40 Issues at DVinfo.net

Dustin Alcock · October 19th, 2011, 03:30 PM

I got my Oktava MK-012 today. Sadly they screwed up and sent me the cardioid instead of the hyper-cardioid. All good though, they're exchanging it and paying the shipping at FrontEndAudio.com so I'm cool with it...plus it was only $295 shipped instead of $355+ like everywhere else!

Anyways...hooked it up to my DR-40 and get horrible noise and no actual sound to the DR-40 from the mic. I hook the Oktava up to my recording equipment (Presonus FP10 rack recorder) and it works perfect. I hook my SM-58 and Rode NTG-2 up to the DR-40, works perfect. Also my ATR3350 lavalier won't work on the DR-40 either. I don't know what the heck the deal is!

Anyone else have the same mics and have any issues? At this point I'm thinking the DR-40 has some issues.

EDIT: I'm an idiot. The MK-012 requires phantom power! haha. but still doesn't explain all the electronic noise I get from it and why the ATR3550 doesn't work with it but works fine in my other recording hardware.

Christian Brown · October 20th, 2011, 10:37 AM

Dustin, could you clarify for us?

Now that you've used phantom power, are you getting a signal from the Oktava? Is it a clean signal?

Rick Reineke · October 23rd, 2011, 03:18 PM

Is it possible the DR40 does not generate a full 48 Volts of Phantom Pwr.? Can't find it in the specs or manual.
I don't know the Oktava 012's Phantom Pwr. voltage requirement, but as I recall, some AT condensers would operate with as little as 9V, (AT spec: 9-52V) whereas later models, required the 'standard' 48V. A lower than normal Phantom Pwr voltage could cause an increase in noise as well as other performance issues.

Greg Miller · October 23rd, 2011, 09:25 PM

According to the manual (p.48, p.102) the DR-40 phantom voltage is switchable between +24v and +48v. Factory setting is +48v.

October 19th, 2011, 03:30 PM	#1
Dustin Alcock Regular Crew Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Jackson, MI Posts: 34	Oktava MK-012 and Tascam DR-40 Issues I got my Oktava MK-012 today. Sadly they screwed up and sent me the cardioid instead of the hyper-cardioid. All good though, they're exchanging it and paying the shipping at FrontEndAudio.com so I'm cool with it...plus it was only $295 shipped instead of $355+ like everywhere else! Anyways...hooked it up to my DR-40 and get horrible noise and no actual sound to the DR-40 from the mic. I hook the Oktava up to my recording equipment (Presonus FP10 rack recorder) and it works perfect. I hook my SM-58 and Rode NTG-2 up to the DR-40, works perfect. Also my ATR3350 lavalier won't work on the DR-40 either. I don't know what the heck the deal is! Anyone else have the same mics and have any issues? At this point I'm thinking the DR-40 has some issues. EDIT: I'm an idiot. The MK-012 requires phantom power! haha. but still doesn't explain all the electronic noise I get from it and why the ATR3550 doesn't work with it but works fine in my other recording hardware. __________________ I like cake. Last edited by Dustin Alcock; October 19th, 2011 at 04:45 PM.

October 20th, 2011, 10:37 AM	#2
Christian Brown Regular Crew Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Washington, DC Posts: 194	Re: Oktava MK-012 and Tascam DR-40 Issues Dustin, could you clarify for us? Now that you've used phantom power, are you getting a signal from the Oktava? Is it a clean signal? __________________ http://artslaureate.com/, http://facebook.com/ArtsLaureate http://www.christianamonson.com/

October 23rd, 2011, 03:18 PM	#3
Rick Reineke Inner Circle Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: New York Posts: 2,039	Re: Oktava MK-012 and Tascam DR-40 Issues Is it possible the DR40 does not generate a full 48 Volts of Phantom Pwr.? Can't find it in the specs or manual. I don't know the Oktava 012's Phantom Pwr. voltage requirement, but as I recall, some AT condensers would operate with as little as 9V, (AT spec: 9-52V) whereas later models, required the 'standard' 48V. A lower than normal Phantom Pwr voltage could cause an increase in noise as well as other performance issues.

October 23rd, 2011, 09:25 PM	#4
Greg Miller Trustee Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 1,791	Re: Oktava MK-012 and Tascam DR-40 Issues According to the manual (p.48, p.102) the DR-40 phantom voltage is switchable between +24v and +48v. Factory setting is +48v.