OktavaMod Edition microphones are individually created, burned-in and thoroughly tested for each customer after an email dialog in which we discuss your needs. Think of OktavaMod as an old-fashioned, small village store run by a sole proprietor who loves to greet the public when he hears the door bell clang. You won't find an impersonal mega-music store "click-to-buy" experience here. I respond to all inquiries personally, usually within hours and am happy to provide a brief business-like response or engage in a more nuanced dialog if you prefer.

Discussion of the stock microphone
The MK-105 uses a new, all brass backplate capsule with 5 micron gold-sputtered diaphragm. The design approach, material and manufacturing process conforms more closely to a “textbook” large diaphragm condenser capsule than Oktava's earlier “concentric tuned chamber” capsule used in the MK-219 microphone.

The new MK-105 capsule / headbasket design in its stock form produces a gentle +4dB rise from 4kHz to 12kHz. By way of contrast, the stock MK-219 capsule – known for a “soft” top end, declines about 3dB over the same frequency range. Think of the MK-105 as Oktava's new "air" sound - a brighter compliment to the soft top end of the classic 219/319 microphones that still retains the authorative Russian presence that comes from minimal phase shift in the midrange. The capsule sits atop a factory-installed conical diffuser designed to minimize standing waves inside the headbasket.

This new MK-105 capsule drives a revised version of the highly regarded transformerless circuit found in the most widely used SDC mic in existence – the MK-102.

The MK-105 on-axis sound retains the classic rich lower midrange power Oktava is known for but adds some top end sparkle. The combination of the new capsule, headbasket and transformerless circuit produces a more transparent or hi-fi sound when compared to the classic transformer output colorations and soft top end of the 219/319.

An interesting feature of the MK-105 is its off-axis rejection. The mic has a 90 degree off axis frequency response plot that is basically a mirror image of the 0 degree plot - just dropped in level by about 6dB. 180 degree rejection increases to 16dB below 2kHz but the top end over 4kHz stays just 8-10 dB or so below the on axis response. This means this mic has a very natural off axis response out to 90 degrees but with a noticeably bright 180 degree response. This bright 180 degree response resembles the bright 180 degree response of the MK-012 cardioid capsule. Think of this mic being able to hear "room air".

Unique Features of the OktavaMod Edition MK-105
Like “portholes” that helped define the look of old Buick automobiles, the OktavaMod Edition MK-105 continues the use of a signature feature of mine – the single layer headbasket grille. This headbasket modification offers great acoustical transparency for minimal sound reflection between the capsule diaphragm and grille. This mod tends to minimize standing waves to produce an open sound.

Next, the critical capsule-to-FET wiring scheme has been modified to reduce stray capacitance through the use of a single, well-isolated signal conductor and separate ground return path. In addition, highly acclaimed Evidence Audio™ wire featuring IGL™ copper is used to achieve maximum signal purity in the high-impedance / low-amplitude environment found between capsule and FET impedance converter. You’ll hear great signal purity and transparency offered by Evidence Audio™ wire routed in a minimal-loss path.

The stock MK-105 uses an upgraded version of the acclaimed transformerless circuit field-proven in the MK-102. Tuning these improvements to be consistent with the successful Premium Electronics option in my MK-219 and MK-319 mods, the OktavaMod Edition MK-105 features several critical signal path component changes to deliver my preferred voicing of this highly transparent circuit.

The OktavaMod Edition MK-105 ships in a wooden jeweler's box with full Russian language manual which includes an individual frequency response chart for your mic, a basic mic stand clip and my own signed, dated and serialized "Certificate of Authenticity" / user manual describing the mods.

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