J
juan162
New member
Just wanted to chime in saying that I had my 319 modded and it is now my favorite mic. Before the mod, it was basically useless! I also think any price under $99 is pretty decent.
Juan
Juan
O
omtayslick
New member
J
juan162
New member
I must have gotten one of the 'bad' ones, but since the actual capsule is good, an upgrade of the electronics made a huge difference for me. Now I just have to figure out why my computer interface is adding some high frequency noise every once in a while and I'll be set!
Juan
darrin_h2000
Banned
Id walk away from that deal...you are better off with a new Mxl990 for 50 bucks at musicians friend.
guitar junkie
Guitar User.
Heh I have the 990 and would take my 219 over it any day of the week!
Madguitrst
Member
I have two MK319s: one I had MJ do the PE Mod, the other I did myself (no electronics - it sounds fine with just the physical mods).
My suggestion: Do the headbasket and disk mods yourself.
The inner mesh just sits inside and is not connected (welded/soldered) so all you have to do is pull it out with small flat head screwdriver and a pair of needle nose pliers. It will take all of 5 minutes.
The resonater discs: Loosen the fours screws that hold them in and then just snip the discs at the holes and where the wire to the capsule goes in on the front with a wire cutter. Tighten the screws back in and you're good to go.
Oh, you can get some damping material for the base of the capsule mount from a craft store if you're so inclined (I did).
The MK319 may not be sparkly, but that's exactly what I really like about it. It takes and can be molded/pushed with EQ really, really, well. There is no sibilance at all. What can I say? I think the capsules are fantastic and if you're lucky the electronics will sound fine. EX: the one I sent to MJ sounded so drab/dark/dull/muffled - it needed the PE mod. The second one I bought, on Craigslist for $80, sounded just as good without any electronic modification. I decided to try it myself because it sounded surprising good stock. So I took the chance. I couldn't believe how easy the mod was.
I have modded some other headbaskets since (mostly MXL mics) and they are a bit more difficult as there are usually three layers (the MK319 only has two) and they are attached (the MK319 is not) at three points: both sides and the top. You can still get them out with the little flathead and a needle nose, but you have to make sure you get the straggled strands left over when you pull them out.
it made a world of difference with the MXL V63M (what can I say, I got one for free!), a nice difference with an MXL M3, and not much with the MXL V6 (what can I say, I got the each for $100.....I really like the M3 now!).
MXL V63M grill mod (I since have damped the capsule mount base.
*NOTE: ALWAY be extremely careful with the capsule!!!!!! Don't let anything touch it, including your fingers!!!!
Marik
Pro Microphone Design
Some very good suggestions. Rather than snipping the disks, unsolder the wires (from the PCB part), remove the screws, take off the disks, and then tighten the screws back (make sure not to overdo
) and (of course 
) resolder the wires. The electronic part could use some usual capacitor replacement, esp. two signal ones--the usual from the capsule, and one which goes into transformer. Put there your favorite films (sure you have those left from the other favorite projects
), or get Wimas. The nice part is there is enough space to use bigger caps there 
.Another important cap to replace is the source resistor bypass. Use only high quality electrolytics (like Black Gate, or Muse), or even better, some high capacitance film caps, if you can find those.
The bass cut switch design sucks on both 319 and 219.
The 219 -10db switch is OK, but should be whether eliminated on 319, or redone. Let me know if you'd like to have properly designed switches on those and I'll post detailed instructions.
Best, M
Best, M
darrin_h2000
Banned
I have a 319...not a great purchase...and I paid $25 for it...Ill distance guitar amps with it...coupled with a 57 on the grill...but I could do that with alot of the mics i have...just there when the others are allready in use.
Crash80
New member
For $25.00...how can it not be a great purchase?
Madguitrst
Member
I'll give you $50 for it......
darrin_h2000
Banned
That might be cool...Im just using it for flavor right now...nobodys voice sounds good with it...but speaking into it seems to be OK...but the SM7 is better so it doesnt get much use.
I got it for 25 bucks because the Musicians Friend distribution center is here in town and they sell returns cheap...mine is a typical 319...ID want my money back too if Id paid the $125 for it
I got it for 25 bucks because the Musicians Friend distribution center is here in town and they sell returns cheap...mine is a typical 319...ID want my money back too if Id paid the $125 for it
guitar junkie
Guitar User.
I am not doing anything more to my mic!
I like the sound, with my Firepod preamp it suits my voice very well
I like the sound, with my Firepod preamp it suits my voice very well
BudgetMC
Spread the Love, People!
I've heard some lay claim that the earlier 219's are superior to the later 219's. Does that mean that the early 219's are superior to the 319's??
MichaelJoly
Banned
The are no capsule or circuit design differences in the MK-219 regardless of age.
From the earliest chrome-body mics of the late 1980's to the recent production run of MK-219s made exclusively for OktavaMod, all stock MK-219 mics use the same capsule and electronic design. Any perceived differences between stock MK-219 mics can be attributed to normal variations in capsule high frequency response, parts substitutions at the factory due to availability or perhaps studio environment (smoke, humidity etc.)
Btw, I'm offering a limited time, 20% discount on MK-219 PE mods. Just enter discount code Y3796 at checkout. best, Michael
From the earliest chrome-body mics of the late 1980's to the recent production run of MK-219s made exclusively for OktavaMod, all stock MK-219 mics use the same capsule and electronic design. Any perceived differences between stock MK-219 mics can be attributed to normal variations in capsule high frequency response, parts substitutions at the factory due to availability or perhaps studio environment (smoke, humidity etc.)
Btw, I'm offering a limited time, 20% discount on MK-219 PE mods. Just enter discount code Y3796 at checkout. best, Michael
BudgetMC
Spread the Love, People!
A
Adam P
Well-known member
Michael's promotion is for the 319 as well. I just got his email and was headed to this thread to post about it but I see he's already been here. Shoot him an email, michael at oktavamod dot com, to get the info. Great guy, great job on the mics. I have four myself.
BudgetMC
Spread the Love, People!
Can't beat that deal with a stick! I went ahead and pulled the trigger on getting my 319 the Premium Electronics upgrade with the floating dome.
Thanks for the heads up, Good Sir Adam P!
Thanks for the heads up, Good Sir Adam P!
Crash80
New member
I am knee deep in the group buy going on and all my money is tied up in that at the moment. It pains me to miss out on this deal.....
Marik
Pro Microphone Design
The sonic differences between stock MK-219s are quite huge. I would not call variations in capsule frequency response "normal". In fact, it is quite abnormal. This is due to very loose manufacturing tolerances and spacer sizes, as well as diaphragm tuning frequency.
The part substitution and specifically FETs result in quite broad differences in noise parameters, as well as sonic quialities. Overall, it is VERY hard to find two similar sounding stock Oktavas.
BTW, since it is OK for Mr. Joly, who conducts dishonest and unethical business, constantly, repeatedly, and shamelessly spamming about his services and promotions on numerous boards on every comfortable and uncomfortable ocasion, I do not see a good reason why for ones in many years I could not take an opportunity to plug in my own service.
I offer my own Oktava 219, and 319 modifications, which besides upgrading to highest quality parts and re-engineering low cut and bass pad switches, also include capsule relapping and re-machining for high tolerances, as well as capsule re-tuning and re-voicing according to specific customer needs. On demand, I can also rediaphragm it with metal foil for a unique sonic sparcle.
Here are two files. One with stock Oktava 319 (resonators are removed from the capsule) and another is modified and re-tuned specifically for my customer's particular instrument:
http://home.comcast.net/~markfuksman/OktavaStockCap.wav
http://home.comcast.net/~markfuksman/OktavaMod.wav
At the moment I have a special introductory price. For details please contact @
ribbonmic(at)comcast(dot)net
Or just PM.
Best, M
Last edited:
Crash80
New member
Wow.... For a dishonest guy, he sure has a lot of glowing reviews of his product and services.
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