I understand people are angry when you tell them that their gods are imaginary, but objectively this microphone's frequency curve is more flat than 90% of other microphones out there. Open your mind and enjoy this great microphone. :) Thanks for the video.
I bought this mic from a Guitar Center almost 20 years ago because it was on sale for $99 and the price tag said $599, so young me thought for sure I was getting a great deal. It actually was! To this day it’s my go to mic for recording/broadcasting voice, acoustic guitars, and basically anything I want to have quality, unique sound. I even used it yesterday! Highly recommend for all the same reasons in the video. Spot on review!
I think you have described the character of the MK 319 very well. My impressions are similar: slightly darker sounding, less detail than typical large diaphragm condensers, definitely not flat response. It will color whatever one is recording. If that is what a person is looking, it's wonderful. Great for some applications, but not for others. I have gotten some good results, especially when pairing it with another microphone that has a little more detail and then carefully blending what has been captured from each mic source before shaping with EQ to achieve more natural sounding results (as detailed mics can sometimes be unforgiving and a little harsh). It's a great mic to have in the toolbox.
Had one of these years ago. Was regretfully stolen from a gear bag. I have to totally agree with this review. Great little piece of kit, especially in the used market. Rolls off a bit of that dead air sound in the high end, so it's very simple just to plug in and record.
@@consordini6258 loved this review and had a question. I have a deep voice (think Nick Cave, tom waits and Scott Weiland when he sings deeply, like when he played a could of songs with the Doors) and I'm moving to a PC DAW and trying to write an album. Rick/ alternative but updated. I don't want it to sound all the same, adding a few different styles (like Smashing Pumpkins but not as diverse). My question is could I use this as a vocal mic for what I've just explained. In your review you said you wouldn't use it as such but EVERYTHING else you said about the sound was exactly what I'm after.... the feel I want. So in my case would you recommend getting this mic to record my vocals? I want this exact vibe. Also as a DAW newbie (have been recording for years) I unfortunately don't have a treated room so all my instruments will be DI but I know there are awesome sounding VST's. I can make some sort of makeshift vocal recording room though. Am I on the right track or way off. Your help would be MUCH appreciated..... cheers mate.
Thank you for the great video! I have few Oktava microphones in my collection: MK 319, MK 219 ( 2001 ), MK 105. I have to say: tey are all great. I use Studiomaster Mixing desk as preamp and EQ+ Very Nice Compressor + Exciter. With this soundchain the sound opens up even more. Love Oktava mics!
i love the way it sounds with my voice. I did punch a hole in the capsule but it still sounds good to my ears. Just EQ no need to use a de-esser or compression.
3 роки тому+1
Hi there, I have one Oktava MK 319, its a great microphone, very strong and work well! Thank you by the explain! Now I am subscribe and fan! Ricardo Beccari São Paulo- SP Brazil
It's actually a great mic! As Butch Vig said about the 219, if I could I'd buy them by the handful! I've tracked the 319 on vocals through a Ramsa board and it sounded WAY better then a high end Blue mic through an Avalon pre.
Great video and also a great reminder to be experimental and look for the quality of everything out there. I own one and i like it’s different tonal quality. I’ve heard it has a k47 capsule? cheers
I wish I could like this video twice. Really great review. You're very knowledgeable and have a good presentation style with the info. I like your taste in gear. I probably wouldn't get this myself, I'm currently looking for something more basic. But the info here helped me immediately clarify what this mic is and what it's for. Subscribed!
Try the modified ML-15 ribbon. It’s built like crap and the preamp sucks, but I took the preamp out and it just does what I need it to do for my little practice amp. Just beefy...no fizz, barely have to do anything except crack the levels. I LOVE IT. Less than. 100 bucks. It’s like people wondering their gear doesn’t sound like their favorite 60s artists and they use 100 watt Marshall super leads but use super efficient 4 x100 watt speakers in a half stack. The speakers won’t blow but the sound it sounds like a direct box. I love all the oktava stuff really. They are bang for your buck the best.
I kind of inherited two MK-319s, two MK-219's, and 2 MK-012's. Due to this CV19 issue I started to set up a Podcast/Utube Channel, and music gear while also reacquainting myself with Logic Pro X and an older version of Final Cut Pro which I prefer over the new one. I read a bit on each mic and what they do and I wanted to use the best one for voice speech and later worry about which ones to use for acoustic and singing applications. For now, I've not used the MK-319 and will be setting it up with a Presonus Transformer Coupled Pre Amp Compressor/Parametric EQ, into a TC Helicon Voiceworks, and into a Focusright interface going into a Screen capture video cast using Quicktime which then edit then send it to Final Cut X and edit the audio on Logic Pro. This is all new to me so I hope to get a really nice sound and video quality than your normal Joe Blow doing a U Tube channel. i am looking forward to using all these mic's at once to record my 12string Taylor 555 once I get all these cables organized. After reading up on all these mic's I kind of inherited I find (thanks to your video and what I read online) the MK-319 is perfect for what I'm wanting to do with voice my online narrating rants.
@@consordini6258 These 319's are amazing! People think they're a dark mic and rather ribbon mic sounding. I love these things. Mostly because due to the fact the high and mid end isn't boosted in any form and rather dynamic sounding, While still having the condenser sound, Theres SO MUCH room for EQ and other tweaks without EVER having this mic be over tuned! It has so much room for mixing with this mic, It's got a super wide range for many things! Vocals, Instrument, You name it. Theres a reason why they're still in the 200+ range USED! These are gold!
@@consordini6258 The only complaint I have is that it is sensitive. Plosives aren't so much, But you can peak the mid if you speak loudly rather easily.
@@consordini6258 thanks for the reply . 😊 Turns out ASM are the initials of two brothers who were the U.S. reps for Oktava from 96 to 2004 . Allan Steven McKay . 😊 I just received my mk 319 and looking forward to trying out on acoustic guitar .
8:03 I actually bought this mic at Guitar Center for around $100 about the year 2000ish. At the time it was considered "run of the mill". Now it has character. I'll take it.
The capsule in the 219 is identical. The 319 is way brighter. People have become to develop hyper sensitivity to a flat high end. High end is OVER RATED. Get. 219 maybe add some silicon caulking and you’ve a beautiful mic. No mods no capsule resonator removal. It sounds great! If you can’t make a great record with a couple Oktava, Sennheiser...you probably suck. A and B a 500 dollar LDC with the 319 and save some bucks. I use a 219 and a 319 as overheads a lot and they’re perfect. They sound different enough to sound natural and not just stale bullshit.
Used gear prices are just getting out of control. People are asking 4-5-600 dollars for these. I know you can get them cheaper sometimes, but its just crazy what alot of gear goes for now. Recording/Engineering has become so trendy. Everybody is an engineer now aday's, even my grandma!
I don't have the 319, but I have a pair of MK-012s with the hypercardioid caps. I wouldn't mod any Oktava mic except applying caulking to the 219 to tame the body resonance (though some people like to take out the resonator disk on the capsules as well). Maybe the MKL-2500 mod that's supposed to fix the noisy power supply if you got one of the Chinese PSUs. The only time I think an Oktava needs a mod is when the PCB starts to fail.
I modded the ML-51 ribbon. I took the pre-amp out. It sounded pretty bad prior and took weird ass batteries. It is therefore very quiet but makes my 8 watt Allen amplification amp just plug and play. I usually put a MK 102 a few feet away cardioid capsule and the ML-51 right against the speaker. No fizzy fuzzy high end. Blend the 012 for a little crunchy highs.
One of the best mics for white boy rappers. It’s my go to. Add a 1073 and even better. And we have a p good mic locker with telefunken and neumanns to choose from.
I have a question. I bought a shockmount on Amazon. But this microphone doesn’t fit any of the fittings it comes with. Does anyone know what I can do to secure this microphone to the shockmount? Or does anyone have a suggestion for a better shockmount for this microphone?
Yes, it needs Phantom Power (48V). I have one of the last series that was made in the factory in Tula, Russia from 2006 (they later switched the production elsewhere or there was some controversies with some other companies claiming to have the same name and quality - I don't fully remember) and I have it hooked to a focusrite scarlett 2i4 but you can use the solo also for example or any other interface with a 48V phantom power option.
I would have to disagree. I think that if you want something more unique sounding than generic Shenzen-made condensers, it's a great option, even as a first mic. Plenty versatile and with a nice heap of vintage tone.
@@anonymusum You should either get a Shure sm57 or a Neumann U87. Those are both good all around mics, in newbie mics you always need to have a 7 in the model number.
If you did the windscreen and capsule modification it would brighten and clean up nice . A Neumann and octava comparison had them sounding so close it was negligible to the untrained ear
I understand people are angry when you tell them that their gods are imaginary, but objectively this microphone's frequency curve is more flat than 90% of other microphones out there. Open your mind and enjoy this great microphone. :) Thanks for the video.
I bought this mic 20 years ago, and set up and used properly, is a great mic for vocals. It's a shame you didn't use it to talk into for this review.
I bought this mic from a Guitar Center almost 20 years ago because it was on sale for $99 and the price tag said $599, so young me thought for sure I was getting a great deal. It actually was! To this day it’s my go to mic for recording/broadcasting voice, acoustic guitars, and basically anything I want to have quality, unique sound. I even used it yesterday! Highly recommend for all the same reasons in the video. Spot on review!
Literally the same story for me, still have it and use it to this day
I think you have described the character of the MK 319 very well. My impressions are similar: slightly darker sounding, less detail than typical large diaphragm condensers, definitely not flat response. It will color whatever one is recording. If that is what a person is looking, it's wonderful. Great for some applications, but not for others. I have gotten some good results, especially when pairing it with another microphone that has a little more detail and then carefully blending what has been captured from each mic source before shaping with EQ to achieve more natural sounding results (as detailed mics can sometimes be unforgiving and a little harsh). It's a great mic to have in the toolbox.
Had one of these years ago. Was regretfully stolen from a gear bag. I have to totally agree with this review. Great little piece of kit, especially in the used market. Rolls off a bit of that dead air sound in the high end, so it's very simple just to plug in and record.
Sorry yours got stolen - that's no good. They are indeed great mics. Thanks for watching!
@@consordini6258 loved this review and had a question. I have a deep voice (think Nick Cave, tom waits and Scott Weiland when he sings deeply, like when he played a could of songs with the Doors) and I'm moving to a PC DAW and trying to write an album. Rick/ alternative but updated. I don't want it to sound all the same, adding a few different styles (like Smashing Pumpkins but not as diverse). My question is could I use this as a vocal mic for what I've just explained. In your review you said you wouldn't use it as such but EVERYTHING else you said about the sound was exactly what I'm after.... the feel I want. So in my case would you recommend getting this mic to record my vocals? I want this exact vibe. Also as a DAW newbie (have been recording for years) I unfortunately don't have a treated room so all my instruments will be DI but I know there are awesome sounding VST's. I can make some sort of makeshift vocal recording room though. Am I on the right track or way off. Your help would be MUCH appreciated..... cheers mate.
I bought one years and years ago from GC for only $50 new. Been using it ever since. Love it.
jesus, that drum groove was AMAZING
Thank you for the great video! I have few Oktava microphones in my collection: MK 319, MK 219 ( 2001 ), MK 105. I have to say: tey are all great. I use Studiomaster Mixing desk as preamp and EQ+ Very Nice Compressor + Exciter. With this soundchain the sound opens up even more. Love Oktava mics!
been using this mic to record my vocals for the last year. i have a very high voice when im rapping and i love it
i love the way it sounds with my voice. I did punch a hole in the capsule but it still sounds good to my ears. Just EQ no need to use a de-esser or compression.
Hi there, I have one Oktava MK 319, its a great microphone, very strong and work well!
Thank you by the explain!
Now I am subscribe and fan!
Ricardo Beccari
São Paulo- SP
Brazil
Nice drumming man
It's actually a great mic! As Butch Vig said about the 219, if I could I'd buy them by the handful! I've tracked the 319 on vocals through a Ramsa board and it sounded WAY better then a high end Blue mic through an Avalon pre.
Lol just checked my 319 on a ramsa wr-8112 and compared to the wa87…
I love it. You can get a dark dirty vintage sound with this mic. I use it for everything.
Great video and also a great reminder to be experimental and look for the quality of everything out there. I own one and i like it’s different tonal quality. I’ve heard it has a k47 capsule? cheers
I wish I could like this video twice. Really great review. You're very knowledgeable and have a good presentation style with the info. I like your taste in gear. I probably wouldn't get this myself, I'm currently looking for something more basic. But the info here helped me immediately clarify what this mic is and what it's for. Subscribed!
Try the modified ML-15 ribbon. It’s built like crap and the preamp sucks, but I took the preamp out and it just does what I need it to do for my little practice amp. Just beefy...no fizz, barely have to do anything except crack the levels. I LOVE IT. Less than. 100 bucks. It’s like people wondering their gear doesn’t sound like their favorite 60s artists and they use 100 watt Marshall super leads but use super efficient 4 x100 watt speakers in a half stack. The speakers won’t blow but the sound it sounds like a direct box. I love all the oktava stuff really. They are bang for your buck the best.
Nice drumming!
Thanks very much, I appreciate it!
I kind of inherited two MK-319s, two MK-219's, and 2 MK-012's. Due to this CV19 issue I started to set up a Podcast/Utube Channel, and music gear while also reacquainting myself with Logic Pro X and an older version of Final Cut Pro which I prefer over the new one. I read a bit on each mic and what they do and I wanted to use the best one for voice speech and later worry about which ones to use for acoustic and singing applications. For now, I've not used the MK-319 and will be setting it up with a Presonus Transformer Coupled Pre Amp Compressor/Parametric EQ, into a TC Helicon Voiceworks, and into a Focusright interface going into a Screen capture video cast using Quicktime which then edit then send it to Final Cut X and edit the audio on Logic Pro. This is all new to me so I hope to get a really nice sound and video quality than your normal Joe Blow doing a U Tube channel. i am looking forward to using all these mic's at once to record my 12string Taylor 555 once I get all these cables organized. After reading up on all these mic's I kind of inherited I find (thanks to your video and what I read online) the MK-319 is perfect for what I'm wanting to do with voice my online narrating rants.
@@consordini6258 These 319's are amazing! People think they're a dark mic and rather ribbon mic sounding. I love these things. Mostly because due to the fact the high and mid end isn't boosted in any form and rather dynamic sounding, While still having the condenser sound, Theres SO MUCH room for EQ and other tweaks without EVER having this mic be over tuned! It has so much room for mixing with this mic, It's got a super wide range for many things! Vocals, Instrument, You name it. Theres a reason why they're still in the 200+ range USED! These are gold!
@@consordini6258 The only complaint I have is that it is sensitive. Plosives aren't so much, But you can peak the mid if you speak loudly rather easily.
The 219 and 319 have the same identical capsule . Diff body.
@@FatherLamb you need to follow the 8-12 inch away rule as well have a windscreen to prevent plosives.
Gave you thumbs up for the drum playing...nice. Mic sounds great
I loved mine and am going to buy another
Mk319 vs Kingbee vs Akg420 All 3 in the $100 Range? Also Is The Mk319 Good Enough For Hip Hop Vocals My Voice Is Deep?
Modern condenser mics make everything sound like a TV commercial.
I'll try my 319 out on kick out - cheers!
Nice vid , I just bought one don't have it yet . I'm wondering I see some MK 319 with AMS on them do you know what that means if anything ?
@@consordini6258 thanks for the reply . 😊
Turns out ASM are the initials of two brothers who were the U.S. reps for Oktava from 96 to 2004 . Allan Steven McKay . 😊
I just received my mk 319 and looking forward to trying out on acoustic guitar .
8:03 I actually bought this mic at Guitar Center for around $100 about the year 2000ish. At the time it was considered "run of the mill". Now it has character. I'll take it.
Ha! Funny how things like that happen, eh?
Same here..2003
Lol dude this mic is now going for 450 dollars used
Cool setup man. What is that control surface(console) you have there?
It's an Icon QCon Pro X. We have a review on the channel, check it out if you're interested!
@@consordini6258 Thanks dude!
That's a great mic for 90's stlye hip hop!
The capsule in the 219 is identical. The 319 is way brighter. People have become to develop hyper sensitivity to a flat high end. High end is OVER RATED. Get. 219 maybe add some silicon caulking and you’ve a beautiful mic. No mods no capsule resonator removal. It sounds great! If you can’t make a great record with a couple Oktava, Sennheiser...you probably suck. A and B a 500 dollar LDC with the 319 and save some bucks. I use a 219 and a 319 as overheads a lot and they’re perfect. They sound different enough to sound natural and not just stale bullshit.
Used gear prices are just getting out of control. People are asking 4-5-600 dollars for these. I know you can get them cheaper sometimes, but its just crazy what alot of gear goes for now. Recording/Engineering has become so trendy. Everybody is an engineer now aday's, even my grandma!
Dude.... I bought this mic back in 2006 and i paid 80 bucks wtf
@@YoungBlaze Dude, its gettin ridiculous. Thats nothing compared to some stuff, but still an okay example.
@@underpressureman its a few on ebay i seen recently for about 120
@@YoungBlaze Ya totally, they pop up here and there.
Oh no... what did I do!? Ha. Keep your eyes peeled, hope you can snag one for a reasonable amount of money!
I don't have the 319, but I have a pair of MK-012s with the hypercardioid caps. I wouldn't mod any Oktava mic except applying caulking to the 219 to tame the body resonance (though some people like to take out the resonator disk on the capsules as well). Maybe the MKL-2500 mod that's supposed to fix the noisy power supply if you got one of the Chinese PSUs.
The only time I think an Oktava needs a mod is when the PCB starts to fail.
I modded the ML-51 ribbon. I took the pre-amp out. It sounded pretty bad prior and took weird ass batteries. It is therefore very quiet but makes my 8 watt Allen amplification amp just plug and play. I usually put a MK 102 a few feet away cardioid capsule and the ML-51 right against the speaker. No fizzy fuzzy high end. Blend the 012 for a little crunchy highs.
One of the best mics for white boy rappers. It’s my go to. Add a 1073 and even better. And we have a p good mic locker with telefunken and neumanns to choose from.
Agreed - it's a highly underrated piece. Thanks for watching!
Oktaaaava
I have a question. I bought a shockmount on Amazon. But this microphone doesn’t fit any of the fittings it comes with. Does anyone know what I can do to secure this microphone to the shockmount? Or does anyone have a suggestion for a better shockmount for this microphone?
I used a generic one from musicians friend, tight but it worked
You need a universal shock mount that will clamp around the body of the mic with out using the threads
Does anyone know if you need an audio interface to run this mic????
Yes, it needs Phantom Power (48V). I have one of the last series that was made in the factory in Tula, Russia from 2006 (they later switched the production elsewhere or there was some controversies with some other companies claiming to have the same name and quality - I don't fully remember) and I have it hooked to a focusrite scarlett 2i4 but you can use the solo also for example or any other interface with a 48V phantom power option.
No vocal demo
Hey. Whats on your middle finger?
It was a band-aid, courtesy of a very unfortunate encounter with a mandoline.
That´s a mic for someone who already has 10 or 20 mics.
I would have to disagree. I think that if you want something more unique sounding than generic Shenzen-made condensers, it's a great option, even as a first mic. Plenty versatile and with a nice heap of vintage tone.
@@consordini6258
So you would recommend it to a newbie as his first and only mic? I wouldn´t.
@@anonymusum You should either get a Shure sm57 or a Neumann U87. Those are both good all around mics, in newbie mics you always need to have a 7 in the model number.
@@thegreatsiberianitch
A SM57? Hahaha .....
@@thegreatsiberianitch"either get an $80 mic or a $3,0000 mic."
If you did the windscreen and capsule modification it would brighten and clean up nice . A Neumann and octava comparison had them sounding so close it was negligible to the untrained ear