Best deal for a large-diaphragm condenser microphone?

  • Thread starter Thread starter Cue Zephyr
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Cue Zephyr

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Hey y'all.
I compiled a little list of microphones that I'm interested in, I included the price tags.

AKG C214 - €355
Audio Technica AT4040 - €389
Blue Bluebird - €295
Oktava MK-105 - €329
Oktava MK-220 - €209
Oktava MK-319 - €249
Oktava MK-419 - €329
Rode NT2-A €269
sE Electornics Titan €295
Shure SM27 €285

Which one is the best deal for the price?
I know there isn't a 'best' choice, but I'd say there certainly are levels in sound quality, etc.

Please give me your opinions.
Thanks.
CZ

Edit: I already own an SDC, an Oktava MK-012.
 
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How much is that in real money???:confused:

Id put up the KSM32...its about $550 new and is one of the industries best mics...
 
If you lived in the real world you'd know that 1 Euro (€) is approx. 1.5 dollars ($)
A KSM32 costs about €579, which means they go for $870.
So... it is not an option, unfortunately.
 
They may just be more expensive there...here its in the $300 area used.
 
AT 4040 has my vote, but I don't live in the real world either........
 
Thanks for your replies.

The AT4040 was the first mic I considered months and months before I got my MK-012.

Anyway, getting other caps for the MK-012 seems like a nice idea, but I'd have to get myself another MK-012 (because I want to use an SDC and MDC/LDC simultaneously) and a capsule, or a set of a '012 'pre-amp' and one of the MD or LD capsules.

I read a lot on Oktava on the Gearslutz forum, I'm actually on it to get myself some more opinions and experiences etc.

Frankly I contacted MIchael directly, he seems to be a really nice and helpful guy.
His opinion went to the MK-319 mod and the MK-419.
The thing with the MK-105 according to him was, that it has SDC characteristics, and might be too bright for my intended uses (male vox, maybe femlae vox later, second mic on acoustic guitar).

EDIT: Thomann orders the MK-105 for €350 (and €8 shipping costs). From Oktava-Shop it would be close to that €329 (€17,50 shipping). Anyway, I'd need a €25 shockmount to go along with it, I assume.
 
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Big Kenny said:
AT 4040 has my vote, but I don't live in the real world either........
Click to expand...

I always thought of this as being the real world and wooden shoes...Hash bars and virginal milkmaids was more of my fantasy world...:confused:
 
You know what's in my fantasy world?
Wait... nevermind, please get back on-topic. ;)
 
Cue Zephyr said:
Thanks for your replies.

The AT4040 was the first mic I considered months and months before I got my MK-012.

Anyway, getting other caps for the MK-012 seems like a nice idea, but I'd have to get myself another MK-012 (because I want to use an SDC and MDC/LDC simultaneously) and a capsule, or a set of a '012 'pre-amp' and one of the MD or LD capsules.

I read a lot on Oktava on the Gearslutz forum, I'm actually on it to get myself some more opinions and experiences etc.

Frankly I contacted MIchael directly, he seems to be a really nice and helpful guy.
His opinion went to the MK-319 mod and the MK-419.
The thing with the MK-105 according to him was, that it has SDC characteristics, and might be too bright for my intended uses (male vox, maybe femlae vox later, second mic on acoustic guitar).

EDIT: Thomann orders the MK-105 for €350 (and €8 shipping costs). From Oktava-Shop it would be close to that €329 (€17,50 shipping). Anyway, I'd need a €25 shockmount to go along with it, I assume.
Click to expand...

If I remember correctly, many people on this Board who have used the MK-319 have said it has a darker character and is suited to male vocals.
 
I am no expert. I'm also a noob. But I'm 47 years old (which should count for something) and I've been playing in cover bands & running P.A. systems for my (and other) bands...not to mention having possessed 15+ mics in the last 25 years.

I'm in the same boat as you are, don't wanna spend $1000 on a mic (couldn't afford it anyway).
I settled on the Blue Bluebird (got one used for $200 off Ebay).

But I suggest if you haven't gotten a mic preamp/channel strip with a compressor...I'd say that was nearly as important.

I've been getting great results from my Focusrite Trakmaster Pro. ($125 used from Ebay)
 
Cue Zephyr said:
Hey y'all.
I compiled a little list of microphones that I'm interested in, I included the price tags.

AKG C214 - €355
Audio Technica AT4040 - €389
Blue Bluebird - €295
Oktava MK-105 - €329
Oktava MK-220 - €209
Oktava MK-319 - €249
Oktava MK-419 - €329
Rode NT2-A €269
sE Electornics Titan €295
Shure SM27 €285

Which one is the best deal for the price?
I know there isn't a 'best' choice, but I'd say there certainly are levels in sound quality, etc.

Please give me your opinions.
Thanks.
CZ

Edit: I already own an SDC, an Oktava MK-012.
Click to expand...

Consider adding another MK-012 (with the same sd cap - probably a cardioid), and then add one of the many LD capsules offered by Oktava. Taking advantage of the modular system you already have (i.e., the swappable capsule design of the MK-012 mic body) can save you $$ and provide versatility. In addition, making this choice would give you a pair of MK-012 SD mics, certainly useful in any studio.

BTW, the Oktava LD capsules are quite nice.
 
Thanks for your replies.

@ darrin_h2000:
No, there's a female country singer in my fantasy.
---
The pre-amp I'm using is an E-MU 0404 USB ($200 new, $300 local price), it works pretty damn good with the MK-012.

As for the other caps, the 011 and the 102 seem like capsules I would use.
I'm pretty much between the darker, transformer-coupled and cheaper MK-319, and the transformerless, brighter MK-105 and MK-419.
I haven't seen, read or heard nothing of the latter, even Oktava doesn't have a dedicated page, nor has it been featured in their applications table. I'll just pretend to be stupid and lazy and gonna e-mail Oktava once again.
 
This tune was done with the KSM32 exclusively...this is why its a big deal.
 
That's all very nice, but there's just no way in getting it for a decent price here EVEN THOUGH it is in the US.

Edit: Whereas a KSM32 is cheaper than an MK-105 by $75 in the US (according to an online shop), the KSM32 (from Thomann) is way more expensive than an MK-105 (from Oktava Shop) by $380.
What's the best deal now aye?
 
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Arent online stores all the same throught the world...and why not Ebay?...there is nothing wrong with used.
[video=youtube;PT9C_NmImjM&]video[/video]

Heres more reason why the KSM32 is the best deal.
 
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