Oktava MK 219 Disassemble and Mechanical Mod
Вставка
- Опубліковано 16 сер 2016
- 01:52 - Tools necessary
03:43 - Disassembly begins
06:18 - Removal of wire mesh
08:55 - Removal of metal grille
13:02 - Caulking body for resonance
15:10 - Paint job touch up
15:48 - Epoxy glue wire mesh back in place
23:09 - Resonator disc removal
31:36 - Final reassembly
For an example of how this microphone sounds post modification, listen to the accordion in this track, which was recorded with a stereo pair of mechanically modified MK-219 mics:
/ evening-shade
** UPDATE, Aug. 2017 -- The Dremel tool is NOT the most efficient way to remove the grille, but it can be done. I have found that a DRILL PRESS or similar large-scale metal working tool is best. ALWAYS wear safety glasses & don't chop up your fingers. **
Get a whole new beautiful sound out of your Oktava MK-219 large diaphragm condenser microphone! The stock 219 is an excellent mic to begin with, but for practically zero dollars you can perform a few simple mods that bring out its true classic character.
This step-by-step video demonstrates in detail how to:
1. Remove the prison-like grille for audio freedom
2. Use caulking to dampen "body boink" case resonance
3. Remove the HF lift resonator disc for smoother, classic sound
Those who carefully follow these instructions will hear some amazing changes in their MK-219 that are well worth the effort. If you don't already own one of these mics, do yourself a flavor & buy at least one -- every musician & recording engineer deserves one of these modded beauties in the mic locker!
If you like this video, please like us on www.Facebook.com/LanskySound
Would you like Lansky to perform these mods at a reasonable price? Send an email to "info at lanskysound.com" with MK-219 Mod Service as the subject :D
www.LanskySound.com
Finds out a microphone has been discontinued. Immediately buys one and cuts it apart with a dremmel. LOVE IT!
I think you should have a before and after recording demonstration for this video to be complete. However, it is a very nice one!
Once I have a backup mic, I'm definitely going to try this. I appreciate the thorough step by step video. Thank you very much for this.
Thanks for this! The Dremel's coming out this weekend!!
great stufff man, thanks for taking the time to do the tutorial!
Thanks for watching :D
I've had my 219 since '98, and didn't really notice that resonant 'A' until I did some comparisons... then it stood out like a sore thumb.
I performed the mod on it last night, and yes, it really did get rid of it. Sounds great! I wasn't able to remove one of the resonator disks, due to one screw wanting to strip, but doesn't seem to be a bad thing.(The screws that hold the disks on are cheap, and VERY small... make sure you use the correct sized screwdriver, and even then be careful.) I used 1/8" Neoprene instead of silicone, which seems to work as well.(no glue required... clean)👍
Thanks for the walk-through, moin! (: 3=
Muchas gracias desde Madrid. Thanks from Madrid.
Looks beautiful. Thanks for doing the video. I'm going to do it. I may record a couple of before after files so I can compare - maybe a voice file and a guitar file. Excited to do this. I already recorded all the vocals and acoustic guitars for my last album with the mic (as stock) so maybe this will make me get my arse in gear and get one with my third! Cheers!
Your background had me fooled.
OMGosh, I've owned one of these for years. Mine says 2002 on it. I paid a hundred dollars for it, I think, at a Guitar Center in Columbus, Ohio. I also bought a TUBEpre that day, to use with the mic.
I like the 'background' in your video. Quite fetching!
Awesome! Time to jazz it up. Both of mine are 2002 as well & were also purchased used from Guitar Center. I do like the Oktava mics with tube preamps - the warmth seems to nicely compliment the microphone's natural midrange presence. For $100 that's awesome.
Haha, I try to have fun with videos instead of being the "ultimate cool engineer" guy. Thanks for posting! Let me know if you need any help with the mod ;D
Hey! I just found one of these with a bunch of stuff someone was about to throw away. I knew it had to be decent, but I'm not sure how good it may be or what recording applications this is best used for. Any help would be great!
@@andrewearle1272 I bought a pair for stereo usage dated 2001. F'ing quiet. F'ing balanced EQ. 69 bucks a piece. Just fine for most vocal purposes.m
very cool .
Thank you! I originally bought one of these just as an experiment to perform this mod. After modding this mic, it has seen so much use & has been so wonderful I have just purchased a second for stereo recording. For $120 preowned, this is one of the most cost-effective transducers on the market. Anyone thinking about buying a new LDC for vocals or any instrumentation would do best to pick up a used MK-219 instead of anything new in that price range!
COOL. Thank you. I can do THIS. Dont have a 219 though. Have two 319's. There are some similarites, however. Might do some mods to one fo them.
i want my 319 mod'd lol
So I epoxyed some children like you said, so now I use the dremel to make them sound better?
The big problem mechanically with these Russian mics is that the cartridge is not isolated or shock mounted. Even touching the cord makes noise in them. You could fix that but it is a lot of work. These mics are worth playing with if real cheap. IF you want to mod mics there are probably better ones for that.
Sound test?
Hi!You Are have a records this mic after removing the grill?
Yes! The accordion in this track was recorded with a stereo pair of MK-219 microphones that had this procedure: soundcloud.com/three-for-silver/evening-shade
I did the front mod removal of the metal grill. I didn't do the back. I'm getting a serious hum from the mic. when I place the front grill piece back on the the front of the mic the hum stops. Am getting the hum because I only did the front?
hey! Sorry too ear of your troubles. What's happening is the remaining grill needs to be soldered to the frame of the head basket. It's a grounding issue that will come up in some mics but is easily remedied by soldering the metal grill to the frame. I hope this helps!
Couldn't you in theory also cut an access slot for the wire on the resonator disc? So you could reinstall it?
Surely this could be done, but the sound improvement is significant & reinstalling a damaged component might cause undesired excess resonation. Interesting thought tho ;)
Any thoughts about the 219 vs the 319?
Hi! YES, the 319 is a better transducer. The headbasket design is far superior & this alone makes it a better mic, even with modifications on both. If you have the opportunity to get the 319, go for it! The only advantage I've found with the 219 is that the shape makes it a PERFECT mic for toms on a drum kit. The 219 is my absolute best tom mic & I grab that long before I grab the Sennheiser MD-421, which I honestly think is overrated at this time in recording history.
Recently bought one of these supposedly from 1996.
Most everything looks legit and sounds legit, but it has a white resonator HF disc in it.
Thinking of doing this mod but I’m wondering if I should return the microphone.
God these things are hard to identify.
It’s got black flathead screws.
A little part on the inside scratched off that says t 48.
Front says 1996 r
Back says ASM
Btw great video thank you so much for doing this.
Made me feel comfortable doing it.
You explain things very well, great teacher.
Your background blew my mind when I realized your not actually in a post apocalyptic engineering station.
I don’t think many if ANY 219 were Chinese. Just the 319 and the O12 and MOSTLY 012’s. If they are flat head screws, my understanding says...you’ve an original. Don’t mess with it. The 219 is a great mic as is.
Hello , hello you from?
You didn't think to demonstrate the sounds, before vs after? What? Seriously? Lol
bruh
I accidentally dented my diaphragm with the screwdriver. Any chance it'll still work ok? I had to order a new phantom power box, so now I'm waiting in suspense for the delivery man to come today, to see if I completely wrecked my only mic.
It seems to be working fine. I ordered a cheap BM-800 LDC from amazon so I would have SOMETHING to compare it to, and the 219 still sounds better than it does. I just wish I could remember what the default position for the switches was supposed to be. I think I might have it on the DJ setting. LOL (or maybe the BM-800 is just super thin-sounding in comparison).
Stuff like this will affect the frequency response but if it sounds good, it is good ;)
@@AdamLansky Yeah it still sounds great, still way better than my HK BM-800 lol.
ok....but what's it like living in space
I have two Mk 219 and two Mk 319. They’re basically the same animal I’ve read. Not sure. The un modded MK 219 sounds better than the 319. Mediocre condenser mics are too bright for my tastes. Sure, spend thousands of dollars for John Lennon’s spit having been near one that looked like it. If this adds high end “detail” to the 219, then IMHO this microphone has just moved into mediocre condenser mic land. Too much detail in frequencies that you don’t need or sound good. The 219 sounds way better than the 319 for everything. Maybe a waif - ish girl singing at 10 dB...anybody remember “Cat Power”. She’s GOOD. I still wouldn’t use my 319 on her. Thinking about selling them actually after I just A/B ‘d them after bumping into this video for the tenth time. The 219 is good as IS. Don’t screw it up. I’m so happy I compared the two first before I screwed up a mic.
what
Nice video thank you. I also recommend a PCB and circuit mod, there's an inexpensive PCB that is much better than the cheap original one.
"The RT-219 is a pcb which can be used to repair or modify the Oktava MK-219
microphones. It is in itself an improvement on the original PCBs, better
quality and with a solder mask on both sides and a partial ground plane.
It offers higher electrical insulation properties and greater resistance to humidity. "
Check it out here: russelltechnologies.co.uk/rt-219.html
I would not recomment modification to anyone to whom a threaded spacer is a secret for removing the PCB. 😂
Кто не будь сможет зделать перевод!спс за ранее!
@Иван Иванов именно так ;)
Don't do it.
like, uhh, why not? everything about the mic is better
Hice lo mismo con el mk-319 y suena una mieeeerda... parece que cantas dentro de un tanque de plástico. Mejor suena como viene de fábrica.
¡Hola! Siento oír que tiene este problema. Tal vez algo malo ocurrió cuando modificaste el 319. ¡Son instrumentos muy delicados! Usted puede contratar www.OktavaMod.com para realizar reparaciones :)
@@AdamLansky So, again, my point. Prepare to destroy it, fine. Marginal gains, high risk, fine. But really damned good mic to begin with--why dick with it?
Испортил вещь(((