I auditioned the 319 along with quite a few others at GC. It sounded pretty reasonable, not outstandingly good or bad in any respect.
It is, however, almost frighteningly crudely constructed. Think 1920's technolgy invisionment if a science-fiction instrument
Make sure you LOOK at one and operate the switches, etrc, before buying.
from what ive heard the Quality controll at octava is inconsistant.
be sure and try alot of these mics before you get one. a good way to get a salesman to let you try several is to tell him that you are going to buy a matched pair and you need two that sound the same.
I got mine at GC and I quite enjoyed it. Had a warm tone and it was extremely versatile, thanks to the -10 Db switch. Unfortunately, I had to toss it recently, when I pulled it out to play with it after a few months, and the high-end clipping buzz was just unbearable.
I think it was the way I plugged it in, but the thing was ruined. It's a VERY sensitive mic.
I got mine at GC and I quite enjoyed it. Had a warm tone and it was extremely versatile, thanks to the -10 Db switch. Unfortunately, I had to toss it recently, when I pulled it out to play with it after a few months, and the high-end clipping buzz was just unbearable.
I think it was the way I plugged it in, but the thing was ruined. It's a VERY sensitive mic.
It was probably a fairly typical Oktava board failure, not attributable to anything you did to it. I would sent it back to ASM for warranty repair. This sounds like a very common problem I have heard described numerous times, usually with the 012.
I think the last part would be a total waste of time, at least with Guitar Center, the only authorized dealer for ASM Oktavas.
I'd make Angus McKay fix it, like he promised everyone on r.a.p.
The problems with the circuit boards are, as you say, not difficult ones. A tech with whom I corresponded who does lots of Oktava work says most problems are due to flux on the boards, failed wet slug capacitors and an inadequate hi-ohm resistor.
Still, if I have a problem with mine, they're going back to McKay.