GC blowing out Oktava

  • Thread starter Thread starter Richard Monroe
  • Start date Start date
I use at least one of my 319s on nearly every session. I'd never heard the 2500 but for $99 I decided to pick up 2. It is definitely a fun mic and appears to be based on the 319.

So how does it sound? The tube seems to be a bit exaggerated; good for that "this was recorded with a tube mic" sound. I also find myself dropping the high end a bit... not sure if this is just a (slightly) brighter mic than the 319 or if it's just the tube distortion. Overall a very usable mic with a sound that, to me, is a "tubey" 319. I also love the fact that I now have a tube mic I'm not afraid to take on location.

My only gripe is that I need another cardiod like I need a hole in my head.

Jay
 
seller was slow to ship (but quick to make excuses)

i should get it today or tomorrow, i'll give it a run and give you my first impressions ASAP.


and if any one dosn't have a pair of 319's and can get them at that price

DO!
 
jayridge said:
My only gripe is that I need another cardiod like I need a hole in my head.

Jay
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i hear that, i've about tapped the cheep condencer market for every penny it's worth.
 
I went to the GC near me (southfield MI) and they were out of all but 1 219 and 1 319. The 219 looked okay, but the 319 was definitely used and even had a large dent in the grill. They were still selling it for full price :rolleyes:. You gotta love these GC clowns for trying sometimes.
 
my plan was to go to the 2 GC's near me, but I decided I had enough mics....

I don't know what happened, oh yea, I realized that I have a new pre and I still haven't tried out all of my mics on it yet, so before I add to the collection, I have work to do and if I got a new mic, and used it on the new pre, I wouldn't really know how it compares since I haven't tested all the others on it, also, running low on money.
 
junplugged said:
so the 319 is decent? I would check it out for that price anyway.
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You know, when I listen back to my last band's demo (which we used a 319 on vocals) it makes me wonder why I keep looking for other mics. It really was smooth and warm, without a hint of high end harshness. I really like the 319. We had done a previous session with a guy that had a Blue Blueberry. After comparing the demos, the 319 sounded better on my singer.

FWIW...
 
PhilGood said:
You know, when I listen back to my last band's demo (which we used a 319 on vocals) it makes me wonder why I keep looking for other mics. It really was smooth and warm, without a hint of high end harshness. I really like the 319. We had done a previous session with a guy that had a Blue Blueberry. After comparing the demos, the 319 sounded better on my singer.

FWIW...
Click to expand...

This is the same reason I was looking to get another 319. They sound pretty damn good. I still like my GT66 a little better, but the 319 is so close I wouldn't hesitate to use it if I don't feel like waiting for the tube to warm up. :D
I swapped out the capsule capacitor for a polystyrene and removed the plastic high frequency disc that's bolted in front of the diaphram. This made the top end a little more natural in my opinion.
 
PhilGood said:
You know, when I listen back to my last band's demo (which we used a 319 on vocals) it makes me wonder why I keep looking for other mics. It really was smooth and warm, without a hint of high end harshness. I really like the 319.
FWIW...
Click to expand...


This is consistent with my experience also. I think the 319 may be a little under-rated.

I paid $69 for mine at GC almost a year ago. One of the best purchases for the money that I've made.
 
http://www.oktavausa.com/index.htm

Check out Oktava's US web site.
It has this warning on it. Is it true. or are just the 012's made in China?

WarningSITE.gif


Anyone have anything good or bad to say about the Oktava MKL-2500,
I want to get one and I think the sale ends next week.
 
mk 319

the guitar center near me has no Octava's in stock, I think they dont carry them anymore. I managed to get my 319 about a year and a half ago, and it's a really decent sounding mike, although I do need to get off my ass and get some more recording done with it. :)
 
My local GC has three MKL-2500's in stock (or so the guy on the phone at the store says), so I'm going to go snag a pair tonight... ;)
 
Be careful when buying the MKL2500's. I tested three of them out last weekend and none of them sounded the same. Ended up buying a different mic instead.
 
If I weren't lazy, I'd look for that thread where a guy linked to a blog about it. I guess the guy who had the distribution rights started getting them made in China, and the Russian were honked and trying to fight it in court. I figure nobody wants to carry them anymore because they don't wanna get sucked into the litigation.
 
tkingen said:
Be careful when buying the MKL2500's. I tested three of them out last weekend and none of them sounded the same. Ended up buying a different mic instead.
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When I bought mine a couple of years ago, I had to go through a couple just to get one that worked.
 
My MK319 turned out to be one of the best $99 purchases I have ever made. Very popular with lady vocalists, it is also a pretty good percussion mic. I have heard 2, both Russian, that sounded very different. My friend's is a lot like a U87. Mine is darker, like an AKG Solid Tube. Just because they don't sound the same doesn't mean they sound bad. It takes work, luck, or money to get a good matched pair. Would I pay $99 for mine again? In a heartbeat.-Richie
 
Richard Monroe said:
Just because they don't sound the same doesn't mean they sound bad. It takes work, luck, or money to get a good matched pair. Would I pay $99 for mine again? In a heartbeat.-Richie
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Good point! But with these three I was trying to talk myself into getting excited and just couldn't do it. I wish they would've had some 319's to try out.
 
reshp1 said:
I swapped out the capsule capacitor for a polystyrene and removed the plastic high frequency disc that's bolted in front of the diaphram. This made the top end a little more natural in my opinion.
Click to expand...

I did the exact same thing!!! Also did it to my 219! ;)
 
hi for the last couple of years I was selling piles of dog poo for $1, now I'm selling them 2 for a $1. Better hurry up before I run out!
 
sweetnubs said:
hi for the last couple of years I was selling piles of dog poo for $1, now I'm selling them 2 for a $1. Better hurry up before I run out!
Click to expand...
Is that genuine dog poo, or was it manufactured in China?
 
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