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Average Price: $120

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Description

The stunning looks of this microphone combined with the classic sound of the double ribbon filament and the reliability expected of today's modern equipment make this a very desirable microphone.

The Oktava ML52 is suitable for use in any situation where a warm and rounded sound is required, The ribbon sound lending it an air of nostalgia whilst competing with modern condenser designs in terms of frequency response. The virtually non existent noise floor means that, used in conjunction with a good pre-amp. it is an ideal mic for digital recording.

As a true cosine or figure of eight microphone the ML52 has many advantages and uses in broadcast and installation due to the negligible sound it picks up from the sides, as well as 90 degree stereo recording. The figure of eight pattern is almost completely uniform at all frequencies.

The ML52 is eminently suited to string and brass instruments giving a sparkling but never harsh overall sound and also gives a particularly pleasing smooth sound to vocals.

The advent of the condenser microphone helped to make the world forget how good ribbon microphones could be. The ML52 has been designed to show once again that the ribbon should never have been ignored or forgotten.

Product specs

Brand Oktava
Model ML-52-02 Ribbon Microphone
Finish Black
Year 2000s
Categories Microphones

FAQs

What is the primary application of the Oktava ML52-02 ribbon microphone?

The Oktava ML52-02 is ideal for studio recording, particularly for capturing vocals and acoustic instruments with a natural, smooth sound characteristic typical of ribbon microphones.

What type of polar pattern does the Oktava ML52-02 have?

The Oktava ML52-02 features a figure-8 polar pattern, which captures sound equally from the front and back while rejecting sound from the sides, making it suitable for stereo recording techniques and room ambiance capture.

How would you describe the sound signature of the Oktava ML52-02?

The Oktava ML52-02 offers a warm and smooth sound signature, characteristic of ribbon microphones, which is well-suited for taming harsh frequencies and providing a vintage tone to recordings.

Is the Oktava ML52-02 suitable for live sound applications?

While the Oktava ML52-02 can be used in live settings, it is primarily designed for studio use due to its sensitivity and figure-8 polar pattern, which may pick up more ambient noise in live environments.

Does the Oktava ML52-02 require phantom power?

Like most ribbon microphones, the Oktava ML52-02 does not require phantom power and should be connected to a preamp with adequate gain to achieve optimal sound levels.

MusicMagTV

MusicMagTV

mmag.ru: Oktava ML-52-02 microphone video review

Video thumbnail for mmag.ru: Oktava ML-52-02 microphone video review by MusicMagTV

mmag.ru: Oktava ML-52-02 microphone video review

MusicMagTV

MusicMagTV

Video thumbnail for gear demo | Oktava | ML-52-02 | ribbon mic | two methods of drum room mic configuration | sound test by Grund Unter Recording

gear demo | Oktava | ML-52-02 | ribbon mic | two methods of drum room mic configuration | sound test

Grund Unter Recording

Grund Unter Recording

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Oktava ML52-02.

Use cases and applications

  • The Oktava ML52-02 is not recommended for live vocals; it's better suited for studio recording due to its sensitivity and ribbon design.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Compared to the popular SM58, the ML52-02 is less ideal for live use, particularly for vocals, due to its different microphone type and sensitivity.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Ribbon microphones like the Oktava ML52-02 have lower sensitivity and are not optimal for live settings, unlike dynamic microphones which handle higher SPLs and minimize background noise.

    Source

3.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 3 Ratings

5 star
4 star
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1 star
bommel

THIS is how i imagine a ribbon mic

Ultra warm and dark. This mic alone is maybe not the best choice for anything BUT this is the perfect mic to blend to a condenser or other brighter mics. Therefore i love it. It is a great room mic since it doesn't get thin.

jimmarchi1

the back side is a smidge brighter, like most ribbons... I think the thing would benefit from a lighter ribbon and better output transformer though

bommel

i already tried removing the internal diffusors that block off a lot of highs and backside also. Thinner ribbons are out of reach sadly :D. I already checkt the lundahl transformers but they would pronouce the bass end even more ... It does a great job as a room mic though so for that purpose it is great and acts totally typical like a ribbon ... extreme bass at close promity but with 1m distance to the source incredibly neutral but for that the room mus sound good for close proximity i have the m160 now so yeah ... the only thing i wanna try is a lowcut button ... so yeah maybe i'll look for a different transformer other then the lundahl

jimmarchi1

well, the transformer will open the bass up sure, but it'll also open the top up, trust me. Maybe not a lundahl if you're worried about bottom, just try like a Jensen. Imean, that little American transformer is really in the spirit of the old 50s ribbon mics anyway.... good luck, I sued to have I think2 of these and after awhile I used them less and less and eventually got rid of them. I can't remember if I modded them or not. It was a long time ag so probably not.

bommel

Yeah but thanks for the tips, i found this here maybe the 1.8um brings the difference + maybe removing the diffusors inside ... we'll see :D I already made Irs with that mic and close distance is extremely bassy but 1m away it is great

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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