inexpensive condenser kumite: Oktava MK319 vs. AT 3050 vs. M-Audio Luna
Will Benton
I'm a recording hobbyist; my recording needs consist of recording
voice (my own voice: opera arias, lieder, and spoken-word) and
classical guitar "direct-to-powerbook." I just got a M-Audio Firewire
410, which is really exposing the limitations of my dynamic mic. (I
assume that they were less obvious before due to the high noise of my
previous, decidedly lo-fi, sound interface.) So, I'm looking for a
decent condenser mic. The 410 supplies phantom power and has what
appear to be two pretty clean preamps, so I don't need to worry about
extra boxes.
Based on price range (<$200; I'm a poor grad student) and general
positive vibes from various reviewers, I've narrowed a microphone
search to the Oktava MK319, the AT 3050, and the M-Audio Luna. It
appears that people have less confidence in Oktava's manufacturing/QA
process than in that of M-Audio or Audio-Technica, but the "official"
specs on all three seem to be similar. I do only want one mic now,
but if -- as some assert -- the manufacturing on the Lunas or 3050s is
good enough that I could buy another later and get a
reasonably-matched stereo pair, so much the better. The Oktava is
much cheaper, but I assume that's because it has been discontinued.
So, for recording primarily classical voice and nylon-string guitar,
which should I get? What factors should I be considering/am I
missing?
I realize this post is perilously close to yet another unfocused "what
microphone should I buy" question, but I haven't seen a comparison of
these three mics anywhere. Any input would be appreciated.
thanks,
Will Benton
andrewunix
: Howdy, all,
:
: Based on price range (<$200; I'm a poor grad student) and general
: positive vibes from various reviewers, I've narrowed a microphone
: search to the Oktava MK319, the AT 3050, and the M-Audio Luna. It
: appears that people have less confidence in Oktava's manufacturing/QA
: process than in that of M-Audio or Audio-Technica, but the "official"
: specs on all three seem to be similar. I do only want one mic now,
: but if -- as some assert -- the manufacturing on the Lunas or 3050s is
: good enough that I could buy another later and get a
: reasonably-matched stereo pair, so much the better. The Oktava is
: much cheaper, but I assume that's because it has been discontinued.
: So, for recording primarily classical voice and nylon-string guitar,
: which should I get? What factors should I be considering/am I
: missing?
The Oktava isn't discontinued. There are a lot of problems with quality
control, and the bodies on the MK319 and MK219 both have resonance
problems that require modifications to make them useable in some
situations. It's much cheaper because it's inferior. I have an AT 3035, and
I like it a lot. I'm not familiar with the AT 3050 or the Luna, but I
would avoid the Oktavas.
--
agreenbu @ nyx . net andrew michael greenburg
Scott Dorsey
>The Oktava isn't discontinued. There are a lot of problems with quality
>control, and the bodies on the MK319 and MK219 both have resonance
>problems that require modifications to make them useable in some
>situations. It's much cheaper because it's inferior. I have an AT 3035, and
>I like it a lot. I'm not familiar with the AT 3050 or the Luna, but I
>would avoid the Oktavas.
The Oktava 319 is not discontinued, BUT McKay is out of stock on them and does
not expect to have any stock for nine months to a year. Guitar Center had a
huge sale recently and pretty much emptied the whole supply line on them.
The suppliers who get them from the factory rather than depending on McKay
as an intermediary, like the Sound Room for instance, should still have them
available.
Note that the capsule and PC board on the 219 is the same as the 319. They
are both pretty good microphones if you can get the bodies damped so they
don't ring so infernally much, and if you get quality production in the first
place.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."