Oktava ML-16 Vintage Soviet Ribbon Microphone, Figure-8, USSR, with Rugged Travel Case

This is a true piece of microphone history. The Oktava ML-16 is a vintage, Soviet-era ribbon microphone built in the USSR during the 1960s and early ’70s, back when Oktava was the country’s go-to maker of ribbon mics for broadcast and recording.

It’s a serious rival to the classic RCA ribbons. You get that same warm, round, smooth ribbon sound engineers chase, with a gentle top end that flatters everything you put in front of it, for a fraction of what vintage RCAs go for today.

🎧 Want to hear it? Check out the YouTube link in this listing for audio examples of the ML-16 in action.

Why you’ll love the ML-16:

• Rivals the RCA classics. It has real vintage ribbon tone: thick, velvety and musical. It tames harsh sources and brings out body and warmth.
• Fantastic build quality. It’s solid and over-engineered in the way only Soviet-era gear is, and it was built to work day in and day out in broadcast and studio settings.
• Classic figure-8 pattern. It picks up front and back with deep side rejection. It’s great for room sound, Blumlein and M-S stereo, and duets, and it lets you aim the null at bleed you don’t want.
• A conversation piece. It’s a genuine Cold War-era studio mic, and it looks as cool on a stand as it sounds.

Great on: vocals, horns, drums, and anything you throw at it. It also shines on guitar amps, strings, acoustic guitar, and spoken word.

Specs:

• Type: Passive ribbon (velocity)
• Polar pattern: Bi-directional (figure-8)
• Original rated frequency range: 50 Hz – 15 kHz
• Made in: USSR
• Era: Soviet production, roughly 1962–1972

Condition: Very Good. It works and sounds great, with only light cosmetic wear consistent with its age. I bought it directly from a seller in Russia, and as far as I know it has had very few owners, possibly just one before me.

Included:

• Oktava ML-16 ribbon microphone
• Protective, rugged travel case

Important: Like all classic passive ribbons, this mic needs no phantom power. Keep phantom off when connecting it.

Shipping: Carefully packed. Local pickup is available in the SF East Bay.

Questions are welcome.