Current slide {CURRENT_SLIDE} of {TOTAL_SLIDES}- Best Selling in Microphones & Wireless Systems
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I believe the Oktava MK-319 is the best value in a side-address condenser mic costing less than US$500 new. With a typical eBay going rate under US$150 in like-new condition, choosing this mic is a no-brainer for cost-conscious musicians, performers, and recordists. With a fairly flat response curve and high sensitivity, MK-319s are as useful for recording classical as they are for popular music. They are also relatively rugged, so I am willing to carry them around to performance venues. They are my first choice for close recording of lead vocals and soloists, as well as mast-mounted overhead micing of a chorus. I recommend getting two and an Oktava stereo T-bar, the latter usually available on eBay for under US$40. I also recommend getting shock mounts, as I would for any studio condenser. Shock mounts for this model show up frequently on eBay, for about US$35. NOTE: This microphone REQUIRES 48V phantom power. Most decent mixing consoles and audio interfaces with 3 pin "XLR" connectors can provide this. (Just remember to switch it on!) If yours doesn't, there are relatively inexpensive phantom power boxes available on eBay.Read full review
I had purchased a pair of Oktavas for a radio station I was working at and found that they performed well in a rather poor acoustic environment. We could not put any Sonex, Auralex or other acoustic treatment on the walls and most condenser mics gave us too much hollowness. Not the Okatavas, however. Look at their specs and you will see that they have a good front-to-back ratio. So when I was looking at a mic for my home studio I checked specs on a couple-dozen mics. A couple of manufacturers wouldn't supply me with the polar response characteristics, even when I requested them. One even ridiculed me for asking the question. That's a way to lose a sale! Ultimately I decided on either the Oktava or an Electro-Voice RE-320 (even though it's a dynamic mic the reviews and specs are good) but when I saw the Oktava on eBay for a price far less than the RE-320 I pounced on it. With a WindTec Pop Stopper on it, it sounds nice running into a Behringer MIC800 preamp. This mic is used by most of the radio stations in Russia. It's an inexpensive way to get professional results and I am quite happy with it.Read full review
There is a lot of praise on the internet for Oktava MK319 large capsule condenser microphone. What I learned from a variety of sources was that with mods, it gets pretty close to the very best in its class, which decided my choice. I wanted to use it for home recording of classical piano. I had no previous experience with condenser mikes. The microphone looks a little rough, although not appaling. OK for the price. I did all the recommended mods: removed resonator disks from the capsule, dampened the body inside with silicone caulk, replaced the grill with thinner wire mesh, glued felt disk to the bottom of the capsule chamber. In the internal preamp, I replaced all electrolytes with miniature mylar caps, input cap with Russian FT-1 teflon, and several resistors in the signal path with either bulk foil or miniature wire wound. I also connected the capsule directly to the amp with silver wire, disconnecting the -10 dB circuit and low cut feedback loop. BTW, the mic draws only 1 mA current from phantom power, not 8 mA as in some specs. 2 mics were mounted on shock mounts (the proper shock mount size for this mic is 2", 1.75 is too tight, so don't repeat my mistake) and connected to DIY preamp using the INA102 IC (schematic is in the data sheet), feeding into the M-Audio Audiophile USB outboard sound card, and that into the computer. For the recording/editing program, I used Audacity (freeware). The recording was monitored using Grado SR325 headphones plugged into the Audiophile. After some tweaking, got the system to work. Recorded in 41.1/16. The quality of sound through this mic is amazing. With proper placing of mics and a little bit of reverb in processing, I got the results nothing short of professional piano recordings on CD. The instrument that I recorded, restored Steck baby grand, has a very nice sound, and this came through on the recording. Highly recommend this mic.Read full review
I never got it, this item was stolen off my front porch, i'm sure it sounded great....
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
For the price it´s really excellent. In a total different league than generic condensers like M-audio, Behringer, Samson and many others because of it´s smooth frequency response, far from being harsh.