Vocal Mic Upgrade from an Oktava 319 to an AT 4050

[TripleM]

I currently use an Octava MK-319 for vocals. I'm generally happy with it, but at the same time I wonder what an "upgrade" would sound like. I've heard good things about the AT 4050.

So if I were to get one, what differences would I notice between it and the Oktava? I'm particularly interested in clarity. The Oktava just seems to lack the "extra bit" of clarity that I hear elsewhere. I'd say it's "good but not great."

I realize this may be difficult to answer because the QA at Oktava is not, shall we say, consistent. So you sort of have to answer on almost an individual basis. But I'd like to hear any thoughts from people with experience.

 

[Big Kenny]

I mean no disrespect but what do you want to do that the 319 can't? You want more highs, greater definition, a particular frequency attenuated, vocal for female, male, rap, hip, hop, funk, etc?
You should first decide what you aren't able to record now, then seek the tool that will fill that void.

 

[TripleM]

I'm looking to record male vocal, in mostly a rock style. I'm looking more for better clarity than anything else. Thanks for responding.

 

[Big Kenny]

CAD M179 (clean and multi)
SP C1 or C3 (C1 bumped in the highs in a good way)
AT 4033 (what you put in=what you get out)
Senn 441 (excellent reproduction of input)

Rode stuff (I use the NTK sometimes) has a good definition high end pushed a bit

 

[Mark7]

If you want the multi-pattern capabilities of the AT4050, and you're happy with the sound of the 319 maybe an Oktava MC220 from the Sound Room might be worth looking into.

 

[Dot]

I wouldn't necessarily called the 4050 a big upgrade from the MK319, but it is a different sounding mic and would be complementary. The MK319 is a darker mic and a little colored. The 4050 is a brighter mic that's more neutral. While considering th 4050 also look at the AKG 414 - that would be a real upgrade - and the ADK TL.

Any of those mics would help a rock vocal cut through a mix. All those mics are neutral [ not colored ] so they won't thicken the source as colored mics would.

What mic pre are you using on the vocals, TripleM?

 

[TripleM]

Thanks much everybody. So many choices... I'll look into all of them. I like the thought of a 4050 being complimentary to the 319.

P.S., I'm using an ART Tube MP and sometimes my Mackie 1202 vlz.