Oktava MK 219 microphones?

[Ron Stone]

A friend of mine is asking aboout Oktava MK 219 microphones, from Russia. Does anyone have any experience with these mics, good or bad?

[Ron Stone]

[Bump.]

[SVL]

I can post the question at a Russian board, where a few engineers and a bunch of audio DIYers are hanging out. Let me know if you would like me to do that.

Are you interested in the specifications for the mic or anything else?

http://oktava.tula.net/mics/mk-219.jpg

Here is the Oktava, described as a cardioid condenser microphone with fixed frequency parameters.

Full description and specs in English can be found at

http://www.oktava.net/

Outside of Russia, these seem to be distributed by a UK outfit called A&F McKay Audio Ltd.

[RetroSmith]

I hear the Ribbons sound nice. I know a guy who is building an all tube studio in his basement and hes going to buy like 10 of them because the price is so god and he will get a 30% discount buying 10 of them.

[Ron Stone]

Please do, SVL. He just wanted to know if these were reliable, all-purpose mics.

[SVL]

OK, I will post the question tomorrow. They are all asleep now anyway;)

[SVL]

Got just one response from a guy that used an Oktava MK319 (similar to the 219) and an MK012 with interchangeable capsules. He sold them both and is now using an Australian Rode NT1 instead that, in his opinion, provides much better sound than the Oktavas with both the recording board and a tubed mic preamp that he has.

Those were the previous iterations of the Oktavas. Maybe they have got better since.

Still, his recommendation was to get the Oktava only if it can be had for much cheaper than the Rode or a comparable AKG mic. If it is around $200, you may want to look elsewhere.

[Ron Stone]

Thank you very much, SVL. The only testimony we could find was from sellers, so we wanted something objective.

[Damián]

Ron,

You may want to try posting a message on the alt.music.4-track newsgroup; I haven't read it for some time now but most of the regulars there are home recordists (though some of them have studios that are approaching pro level real quick ;)), and they tend to be quite helpful, patient, etc.

There's this other NG where, if what I've read is true, ego clashes are much too frequent and flame-fests erupt all the time (FWIW). That'd be rec.audio.pro

alt.music.4-track

Best,

Damián

[mstcraig]

I have used the MK012's for ORTF live recordings and I thought they were OK-No experience with the '219's. Oktava is a good inexpensive Mic compared to the Neumanns and such. Just my $.02 :)

[Ron Stone]

Thanks, and welcome to the forum, mstcraig!