RODE NT1, MK-319 or AT3035?

[still4given]

I'm looking at these three mics. I need a LD mic and these three have all gotten good reviews from what I've read. They are all three on sale right now from MF for $199 including shock mount.

Sooooooo, what do you guys think? Which one is the better one to get? I will be using it mostly for vocals and maybe for micing acoustic guitar.

Thanks, Terry

 

[knownuttin]

I've yet to find the large diaphram condensor I like on acoustic guitar. I much prefer to use a small diaphram condensor for acoustic guitars. I don't think I'm alone with this opinion.

Which of those three will serve you best on vocals will depend on how they each pair with the vocalist you intend to record.

My opinion of the three you mentioned is that the AT represents the best value in terms of quality. Still, as I mentioned, that doesn't mean it's the one that will sound best on the singer you'll be recording. If at all possible, visit a dealer with that singer and get an idea how the voice interacts with the mics available for testing.
-kent

 

[chessrock]

Out of the ones you mention, the AT 3035 really stands out to me as the best choice in a landslide. Although I realize there are still some fans of the oktavas running around out there, the reviews are still kind of mixed on that one, whereas everyone who has a 3035 seems to just love the thing.

 

[Track Rat]

I have no experience with the Rodent but I have the 319 and a 3035. IMHO, the 319 SMOKES the 3035 by a long shot. The 3035 just sounds cheesy next to it. As a matter of fact, I'm getting ready to loose the 3035.

 

[piper spice]

Track Rat (and anyone else),

I've been reading about how the QC of Oktava mics can
be spotty, and that you should "only" buy them from
certain dealers. As a total newbie, my question is:

What's actually the difference between a "gem" MK319
and a "bad" one? How likely are you to get a bad one
from MF or some other bulk dealer, and how would the
(my) untrained ear know if i'd gotten a good one? The
same goes for any mic, of course, not just the Oktavas.

I like what i've been reading about the MK319, i'm
just wondering how much of a gamble it is, and if the
gamble is enough to justify the us$70 difference in price
from different dealers...

Be seeing you,

piper.

 

[crawdad]

I am going from memory here, so correct me if I am mistaken--but I believe the Sound Room gets the Oktavas that come to the US and goes through them, picking out the best. Then the rest go to GC and such. If this is the case, the extra $70 might be well worth it of you go with the MK319.

If it were my choice, I THINK I might go with the 3035. Doing vocal checks on mics at mars, the 3035 sounded to me just like the AT 4033, which I own, using phones. Of course, this is a very subjective and limited test, but that was my first impression.

I have an Oktava 219 (same capsule), which I don't love for acoustic. I don't know a thing about the Rode.

Hey, for an extra $100, you could get an AT 4033. Great mic for vocals and acoustic guitar, plus many other things. An all around performer. If you are going to just have one LD condenser, I'd advise you to save the jack for this one. I know its beyond your budget, but in the long run, it will serve you well. You might not be so inclined to buy another mic in three months.

 

[Stefan Elmblad]

--snip--
Hey, for an extra $100, you could get an AT 4033.
--snip--
If you are going to just have one LD condenser, I'd advise you to save the jack for this one.

I see one problem with your recommendation, the AT 4033 isn't a large diaphragm condenser to begin with.

 

[heylow]

I see one problem with your recommendation, the AT 4033 isn't a large diaphragm condenser to begin with.

Maybe not.....

But I think it will do the described job better. The 4033 is QUITE versatile.....both vox and acoustic guitar can sound nice through it, not to mention drum overheads, electric guitars, and bass amps as well.

Yep....I also advise the 4033. Might even be able to pick one up used for the targeted budget.

Whatever you do, stay away from the NT1. It just isnt the bang for the buck it used to be.



heylow

 

[Stefan Elmblad]

This is a little funny, something has happened with this thread that happens a LOT on these boards.

A person asks "which is the best of 1, 2 or 3 ?"
After a couple of posts, many agrees that #4 is best. Huh ?

Did this help the person at all or just confuse everything, especially since choice #4 is almost always out of buget too. Be it a mic, compressor or whatever, this phenomenon keeps repeating.

 

[chessrock]

Stefan, my friend.

Why so concerned about technicalities?

Technically speaking, the 4033 isn't a large-diaphragm, but due to an unusual design scheme (don't ask me the specifics), in the end, it does "sort of" qualify as a large diaphragm.

And technically speaking, Crawdad did recommend mic #4.

But in reality, a vote for number 4 is really a vote for #3, since #3 is by the same company, and he did say the two sounded very similar. And in fact, he did say he liked #3 the best out of the bunch.

. . . if you want to get technical.

 

[crawdad]

Please allow me to technically muck it up even more--a thousand pardons. A mic you have overlooked is the MXL v93/2003. It is also a versatile mic, Stefan will be pleased because its a TRUE LD condenser, and you will be pleased because it is $149 with shock mount, thus saving you 50 beans. Finally, if I have to choose one of your three, I'd take the 3035.

Everybody happy now?

 

[ozraves]

The MK319 can be a good mic if you get one from the Soundroom at www.oktava.com. I think the mic is a little limiting myself and tends to be "dirty" sounding.

The Rode NT1 and AT3035 are on a better level in my mind as far as quality and usefulness. Each one has its own sound and utility. If I was going to be doing any kind of female or high male vocals, then I'd avoid the NT1 and go for the AT3035.

 

[heylow]

And to elaborate further on what brother Chess said, sometimes a person (and we have all done it) sets his mind on a, b, or c with out realizing that there are either other options or much better bangs for a buck for just a few bucks more.

I stated I dont like the NT1....the others, I havent tried so rather than pretend to know something, I recommended something I DO know and enjoy using.


Let's not be so damn sensitive....it's just gear talk



heylow

 

[heylow]

Did this help the person at all or just confuse everything, especially since choice #4 is almost always out of buget too. Be it a mic, compressor or whatever, this phenomenon keeps repeating.

One more point.....maybe some folk'll agree with me who have, like me, learned the hard way:

Sometimes dudes'll recommend something out of budget for a reason.....If I had a penny for everytime I HAD TO GET SOMETHING NOW WITH THE DOUGH IN MY POCKET, DAMN THE CONSEQUENCES, I'd be a rich man. I've been learning that sometimes, even though I have dough burning holes in pockets, it's better to save another 2 weeks or another month if it will ineveitably afford something in a much better class.

This way I dont lose money when it's time to sell the peice I've outgrown just to buy the thing I should have bought in the first place. I dont have a lot of mics and this is the reason.

Now, I'm not saying that he shouldnt buy the mics he wants. I'm only stating that if I were his financial advisor and he had me spending his money, this is the route I'd take.

BTW, if he looked hard, a used 4033 would be right at his price range. I paid 300 for a new one and 200 for a used oned and everytime I used either one, I tell my girlfriend how glad I am that I bought them. I never once said that about my old NT1.


Sorry for the rant.



heylow

 

[knownuttin]

your rant makes good points about purchase decisions and lessons learned the hard way.

I would add that an Oktava from the Sound Room will cost more than a sale price in a catalog.

Try mics in stores till you find the one you like best (on who or what you wish to record with it). Then, buy that mic. Not a different one brought from the back.
-kent

 

[neirbo]

I can't speak about the other mics, but I have tried the NT1 and think it is not worth the money. Check out this thread for more comments on the NT1:

https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=55895