Hi all.

I'm looking for comments on the noise improvements of replacing the
transistor (and other parts) in the Oktava MC012 per the instructions
in Mr Dorseys Recording article. Any information is appreciated.

Mr Dorsey, if you read this, would you care to comment on whether
swapping the transistor is the only substitution that contributes to
noise performance?

Grateful for any info.

/Magnus

Magnus Jans?n wrote:

I'm looking for comments on the noise improvements of replacing the
transistor (and other parts) in the Oktava MC012 per the instructions
in Mr Dorseys Recording article. Any information is appreciated.

Mr Dorsey, if you read this, would you care to comment on whether
swapping the transistor is the only substitution that contributes to
noise performance?

Replacing the FET on the front end makes a huge difference in noise performance
as well as frequency response.

Replacing the leak and source resistors does not do anything for noise
performance but it radically improves the frequency response.

Changing out the bipolar transistor makes a small difference in noise
performance.

Replacing the 1 uF coupling cap between the two gain stages with a 10 uF
one actually increases the noise, because it gives you considerably better
bass response so you can now hear more of the noise that is coming from the
front end.

Replacing the electrolytics may or may not reduce the noise floor, depending
on how old the originals are. It is something that needs to be done, though,
and you can do it now or you can do it later when they all split open and
squirt green foam.

Replacing the input capacitor will reduce the noise floor because the larger
value will mean more signal to the front end. It will also radically reduce
the distortion figure.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

Does someone have pics what Oktava does look alike inside?
Dont have tiny screwdriver to check it my self. (I have Oktava Mk011 but
probably
will have similar electronics inside)

..jukka

"Scott Dorsey" wrote in message
...
Magnus Jans?n wrote:

I'm looking for comments on the noise improvements of replacing the
transistor (and other parts) in the Oktava MC012 per the instructions
in Mr Dorseys Recording article. Any information is appreciated.

Mr Dorsey, if you read this, would you care to comment on whether
swapping the transistor is the only substitution that contributes to
noise performance?

Replacing the FET on the front end makes a huge difference in noise
performance
as well as frequency response.

Replacing the leak and source resistors does not do anything for noise
performance but it radically improves the frequency response.

Changing out the bipolar transistor makes a small difference in noise
performance.

Replacing the 1 uF coupling cap between the two gain stages with a 10 uF
one actually increases the noise, because it gives you considerably better
bass response so you can now hear more of the noise that is coming from
the
front end.

Replacing the electrolytics may or may not reduce the noise floor,
depending
on how old the originals are. It is something that needs to be done,
though,
and you can do it now or you can do it later when they all split open and
squirt green foam.

Replacing the input capacitor will reduce the noise floor because the
larger
value will mean more signal to the front end. It will also radically
reduce
the distortion figure.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

J.A. wrote:
Does someone have pics what Oktava does look alike inside?
Dont have tiny screwdriver to check it my self. (I have Oktava Mk011 but
probably
will have similar electronics inside)

Yes, the article has photographs of everything, all taken with my old
Crown Graphic with the lens reversed for extreme closeup. It is worth
buying the back issue for it.

The MK011 is a little bit different, though.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

In article j writes:

Does someone have pics what Oktava does look alike inside?
Dont have tiny screwdriver to check it my self.

Scott's modification article in Recording has some photos including
green-leaking capacitors.

--
I'm really Mike Rivers )
However, until the spam goes away or Hell freezes over,
lots of IP addresses are blocked from this system. If
you e-mail me and it bounces, use your secret decoder ring
and reach me he double-m-eleven-double-zero at yahoo

Scott Dorsey wrote:

It is worth
buying the back issue for it.

What issue is it?
--
Nathan

"Imagine if there were no Hypothetical Situations"

In article ,
Nathan West wrote:
Scott Dorsey wrote:

It is worth
buying the back issue for it.

What issue is it?

Do It Yourself: Upgrade Your Oktava 012 Microphone
Recording, Vol. 16, No. 12 (Sept 2003)

Hopefully there will be a similar article on the Oktava 219 soon. It's
been sitting on the editor's desk for six months or so.
--scott

--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."

I really like these mics. This looks like a great article. Thanks.

Thanks Scott, the info is much appreciated. And I'll let the Recording
editor know how much I appreciate your articles too.

/Magnus

(Scott Dorsey) wrote in message ...


Replacing the FET on the front end makes a huge difference in noise performance
as well as frequency response.

Replacing the leak and source resistors does not do anything for noise
performance but it radically improves the frequency response.

Changing out the bipolar transistor makes a small difference in noise
performance.

Replacing the 1 uF coupling cap between the two gain stages with a 10 uF
one actually increases the noise, because it gives you considerably better
bass response so you can now hear more of the noise that is coming from the
front end.

Replacing the electrolytics may or may not reduce the noise floor, depending
on how old the originals are. It is something that needs to be done, though,
and you can do it now or you can do it later when they all split open and
squirt green foam.

Replacing the input capacitor will reduce the noise floor because the larger
value will mean more signal to the front end. It will also radically reduce
the distortion figure.
--scott