Oktava MK 012 vs Rode NT5 (acoustic guitar) (pt.1)

A shootout between the Rode NT5 and Oktava Mk 012.
Gear:
Takamine acoustic guitar.
Mic's positioned approx. 8" from where the neck joins the body.
Focusrite Scarlett 18i8 audio interface.
Protools 12.

No compression, EQ or any other alteration has been made to the audio recordings.

High quality headphones or studio monitors recommended.

Thanks for watching.

[seanearnest]

Thanks for these super helpful A/B tests. Definitely loving the warmth of the Oktava.

[bbjib]

Thanks a lot for your comparison. Oktava MK-012 is more pleasant for my ears. Røde NT5 is OK.

[dinoschachten]

I do realise the Oktava is less flat/linear, but that really works nicely for most acoustic guitar applications... incredible deal. :D

[technoisbeautiful]

nice short video, on point, exactly what i was looking for. thank you!!

[pauljohn]

Yeah the Oktava sounds more finished. Like you could plop it into a mix and move on without messing with it too much.

[edjefferson]

I owned a pair of Nt5. Unnaturally bright sound all the time.
The Oktava sounds so smooth and more intimate. I prefer that.

[TheStudioFreq]

Octava seems pretty nice, but definitely missing some of the openess on the highs. Almost like a blanket is covering them a bit. I just used a pair as spot mics with choir and orchestra to try them out. They worked fine.No complaints. Thanks for the video side by side!

[jmkmusicpedals]

Thank you, I didn't expect the video to really help me pick, but your format did just that. I was considering a buy on the Octavas because I saw a stereo pair at a good price. I listened to your video on DT 770's and, while not watching the video, made my choice. I went back and watched and my pick was the NT5 both times. More detail in the high frequencies, which was also born out by your visuals.

[DanneoYT]

After watching this many times, I prefer the rode nt5

Edit:
NT5 - Strumming
Oktava - Fingerpicking

[iom]

Oktava may be a little boomy at strumming? Although i prefered It at fingerpicking

[tl]

Crash Course Recording, could you please write if your Oktava is a model MK 012 or MK 012-01? Because on your photo is MK 012-01.. and these are 2 different microphones.

[conceptSde]

The NT5 sounds a bit nasal, the Oktava is the better base before EQ from my pov. But it also heavily depends on the guitar that was used and the player. I own a pair of old Oktavas and use them a lot on acoustic instruments. Great bang for buck, but I would prefer KM184s if I could afford them.

[gued_guitaryt]

Me puedes regalar un micrófono por favor?:(

[dylandylan]

Octava is very nice, but so is the nt5....

[paulandreas]

Hey there, are you using a couple or just one of them each time? Cheers

[voxwah]

Røde is richer and more natural sounding

[andjump]

you need good audio to hear the diff. I can NOT hear it. And 99, 9999% of all internet users have lousy speakers, so ...

[lumpyfishgravy]

Hearing some transformer warmth and sparkle on the Oktava.

[DMorgade]

oktava is much better. NT5 is a bad mic.

[jmkmusicpedals]

Thank you, I didn't expect the video to really help me pick, but your format did just that. I was considering a buy on the Octavas because I saw a stereo pair at a good price. I listened to your video on DT 770's and, while not watching the video, made my choice. I went back and watched and my pick was the NT5 both times. More detail in the high frequencies, which was also born out by your visuals.