Octavia MK 219?

[Vikki]

I notice in the small ads in my local newspaper there's a guy selling Octavia MK 219's, did a search and can't seem to find much info about them, are they a large or small mic anyone on the board had any experience with them. He also has some Sony valve mics for sale but they're expensive!
Thanks Again
Vikki(uk)

 

[Flatpicker]

They were worth about $30 over here until they became obsolete. The word is that they are inhibited by a poor grill design.

 

[Vikki]

Thanks Flatpicker.
We won't bother with them then, just saw em in the newspaper and couldn't find any info. The guy wanted 180 dollars each for em. Might get an Elberg pre amp later though.
Vikki(uk)

 

[krash]

You may have found little information because it's actually "OKTAVA".

I don't know why flatpicker says they are "obsolete"... I bought two a few months ago and they sound fine. I modified the grille, it's really the main flaw. I like them a whole lot with the modified grille. Killer snare drum mic, good on some vocals, nearly great on acoustic guitar.

 

[noiseportrait]

$180 is WAY to much to be asking for these mics. The newer version with an improved grill design, the mk319, was going for about 100 bucks new just before their main US distributer, Guitar Center, stopped carrying them. Last time I checked, these mics were going for about $60-70 used on ebay.

 

[H2oskiphil]

For $180, he ought to be giving you a matched pair.

That's WAY too much money for a 219. By a factor of at LEAST 2.

IF you REALLY feel the need to get one, go eBay.

 

[krash]

That's right about the price. But I'd say if you REALLY want one, go to GC and buy a new one, if you can, and avoid ebay.

Regarding the "improved version" MK-319, the grille is indeed improved but other factors of the mic body design are really not improved, and the 219 is easier to modify and fix the errant body/grille issues when compared with the 319. The people I know who use both prefer the 219. YMMV.

 

[Adam P]

I got mine for $30 each. I wish I'd had money to buy more at the time.

 

[chessparov]

The "best" Oktava 219 is either a 319 from www.oktava.com or...

a Sennheiser 421! (not the bright MKII model) The 421 and 219 share a similar tonality, except the Sennie has much better quality control.

Chris

 

[EddieRay]

You may have found little information because it's actually "OKTAVA".

I don't know why flatpicker says they are "obsolete"... I bought two a few months ago and they sound fine. I modified the grille, it's really the main flaw. I like them a whole lot with the modified grille. Killer snare drum mic, good on some vocals, nearly great on acoustic guitar.

I picked one up a few months ago for about $80 during a GC sale.

How do you modify the grille?

 

[Marik]

I picked one up a few months ago for about $80 during a GC sale.

How do you modify the grille?

Eddie,

Check this one:

http://home.comcast.net/~michaeljoly/mk219mod.htm

 

[Adam P]

The "best" Oktava 219 is ...

a Sennheiser 421! (not the bright MKII model) The 421 and 219 share a similar tonality, except the Sennie has much better quality control.

Chris

Chess, are they really that similar? I'm asking out of total sincerity because if thats true, then why, QC issues aside, do (did?) people spend hundreds on the MD421 when they could pick up a 219 (or 319) for significantly less?

I hope I'm not coming off as an asshole or anything.

 

[chessparov]

Adam, that's a very intelligent line of questioning, perfectly cool with me.
They don't sound exactly alike of course, just "similar".

Here are some other advantages of a 421;

1) You can record up to a vocal trio with one.
2) Can close mike with it to avoid negative room ambience.
3) Most 421's have a 5 position bass roll-off selector.
4) Some vocalists will sound better on it vs. a 219 (vice versa too)
5) Excellent service support from Sennheiser
6) The "vintage" versions are appreciating in value.
7) It's a classic drum microphone that can take unreal SPL.

Just a few thoughts off the top of my head.

Chris

 

[Adam P]

Thanks for the input. The 421 is one of the mics on my "I really have to have one" list.