Budget COndenser mic- MXLV67G vs Oktava MK319
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Posted on Jul 07, 2003 06:49 am
JoonHoL
Member Since: May 25, 2002
hi guys, i juz wana get u guys opinion of the quality btw MXLV67G and OKtava MK319, i m planing to buy 1 with limited budget.. i found tht's the latter 2 recomended condenser mic is within my budget but i realy confuse which 1 is better and realy good for my simple PC home recording, my equipment are:-
750mhz AMD duron 256SDRam
Audigy Sound card (normal version)
Behringer 8 channel mixer
1 shure SM58 & 1 SM57 dynamic mic
Using SOnar2 & Fruitty loops
Running in Windows XP
thanks
Joon hoL
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Jul 07, 2003 07:14 am i did alot a research on this! i must have spent 6 months looking around reading reviews and such before i finally bought my first condensor. I went with the Oktava MK-319. I heard more negative comments about the MXLs than most any other budget condensors, except for maybe Nady. Almost *all* bad reviews on the Nadys. I havn't heard about an MXLV67G, but the V63M and V57M certainly have all the competitors beat on price. A couple MXL users that apparently tried several before they bought aggreed that the MXL 1006 was an improvement over the earlier models. Another point the MXLs have over the Oktava is frequency responce. Most of the MXLs boast a full range extending as low as 20 or 30Hz and up to 20k and even 23kHz on some models. The 319 is only 40Hz to 16kHz, which I must admit is plenty wide for me. I recorded some thunder from a storm we had here the other night and it's very boomy, lots of rumbley deep low end. And speaking of frequency responce, don't forget about the Behringers. They're full range 20 to 20k and also in a similar price range. Nothing but good reviews from the Behringer owners, except of course from the purists who have a hard time accepting that it's a $100 condensor. I mean.. you can't expect it to perform like a U47!
Anyways, Musician's Friend had this to say about the MXLs, "For this price, you can't go too far wrong.". I dunno about you, but that comment alone makes me a little wary.
My take on the Oktava. Wow, nicest mic I own. Of course it's the only condensor I own, so I have nothing to compare it to, but between the 319 and a pair of sm-57s, I have everything I need for the time being. The 319 seems a little fragile and hastly built, and although an all metal shell and grill (no plastic body parts), the switches are kinda cheap feeling and you can see where the screws in the body were slopily painted black to match the coated finish.
My opinion: go with the Oktava. For that price you cna't go wrong. -j
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jul 07, 2003 09:12 am Here-here Jamie!
Oktava is a sweet mic. Add consideration of the price and it is a GREAT mic! Especially for vocals. It is warm and extreamly flattering for most vocalists. I agree with Jamie as well with Behringer if you are looking for a more all around general purpose mic. Rode is nice too, but that hikes the price a little. All three of these mics are extreamly good values.
Jul 07, 2003 11:16 am thanks jamie n walts, MXLV67G is highly recomended in "mojo pie"...but i hv less confident with this chinese made product...on the other hand oktava is made in russia giv me more confident...n now musical friend is selling it at $99 including shockmount....anothr quest is i m recording my vocal wif my sm58, do i get any big diff if i m using this condender mic as compare to my sm58?
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Jul 07, 2003 11:24 am You will notice a huge difference between recording vocals with a dynamic to a condensor. Condensor mics are have a far more detailed sound that gives your tracks a more professional feelings.
Dynamic mics have their uses, but condensors will nearly always beat then for sound response (tho there are a few exceptions to this rule)
Btw: I use a Rode NT-1 and am very pleased with it.
jues
LokiCone PokerMember
Since: Apr 07, 2002
Jul 07, 2003 08:25 pm Just keep in mind that with a condensor mic you will need some sort of phantom power, be it from a box or a mixer it will need phantom power to work. Also will want a compressor down the line eventually.
Jul 07, 2003 08:32 pm true Loki. Joon hoL has got a mixer with phantom power and that will work just fine. That's how I'm preamping my Oktava, but I'm beginning to desire a cleaner dedicated channel strip as the Behringers are quite noisey.
juesContributor
Since: Dec 30, 2002
Jul 07, 2003 08:33 pm They sure are... :)
Jul 07, 2003 08:42 pm plus a decent channel strip will likely have a built-in compressor as well as other goodies like EQ, exciter or enhancer.
Jul 07, 2003 09:55 pm I use a 319, and I think it's a great mike
BrunoThe Quiet MindedMember
Since: Jan 01, 2003
Jul 08, 2003 12:09 am I have a MXL V69 and I love it. It is a tube mic though.
Jul 08, 2003 08:08 am I haven't tried the V67 yet. I have heard a lot of good things about it though. I would like to throw one more mic in the mix though. The Studio Projects B1. I own the MK319 and the B1 and for all around use IMO the B1 comes out on top. The 319 has a very nice sound if used through a good pre, but I find it to be a little dull through my Mackie. The B1 just has a little more definition than the MK319. Just something else to consider. They are $79 most places and I gaurantee, you won't be disapointed. For your first and only LD condensor, I would get the Studio Projects B1 or the dual diaphram B3.
My $.02
Blessings, Terry
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jul 08, 2003 09:51 am Joonhol,
You mentioned the shure dynamic. They are great if you are driving them hard. A dynamic will withstand higher SPL levels well. A good application would be micing a guitar amp where you want to capture the sound of the amp driven at blastisimo levels. A large diaphram condenser is a very detailed mic. They will pick up ants sneezing. Terry also makes a good point as well as Jues; The 319 is dull in comparison to the B1 and the NT1. This is a feature. The 319 is ballanced for most vocalists to make them sound warm and sweet. It is therefore a little more forgiving if your vocalist is not a seasoned pro. The B1 and NT1 on the other hand excentuate higher frequencies just a little. This is also a feature. Most instruments will sparkel more if recorded by these microphones. I would recomend the B1 or NT1 if this is your first condensor and if you plan on using it for "general" recording. Every high quality mic (Shure Sm, Oktava, Rode, etc.) has it's forte. That is why a studio will have a cabinate full of mics. Another high value mic not often mentioned is the Oktava MK012. It is a small condenser and is fabulous for capturing an acustic guitar or bass. Shure does a nice job on their web site of detailing which mic to use for specific recording needs. Obviously within their product line only. Usually, when I am looking for a mic I detail my post a little more as to exactly what I am trying to capture. These guys on this site are sharp and will always come up with a good recomended favorite!
Jul 08, 2003 11:17 am hey really thanks for u guys opinion! yah this is my 1st condenser mic...i didn try any condenser mic b4 so i m realy curious bout the recorded sound quality...but do i really a compresser in order to record a good vocal sound? anyway the MK319 in music frien is out of stock ..do the large diaphgrm work better? coz it's sellin at the same price.. anybody mind to tell me where can i get the Studio Project B1 mic? n how much is cost?
GeoffSM7b the Chuck Noris of Mic'sContributor
Since: Jun 20, 2002
Jul 08, 2003 03:35 pm first off i'd like to say I'm part of the MK139 crowd , it's grat for vocals . I also Have a behringer B-1 and man I was so suprised at that one , it sounds better than the studio projects c-1 which I'm told is a higher up one than the SP B-1 , all these mic's I've like using , I 'll also say , you're not going to go wrong with any of the ones here . I use the Mk139 for vocal because it seems more warmer , and the B-1 ( the range is more) for micing guitars and such . You don't need a compressor to use the mic but it sure helps out a lot , and it does make a difference in the sound . The large diaphgrm mic's are more gears tward vocals ( not limiting them to that) , the "cigar" shape ones are more for over heads and accustic mic'ing . MF doesn't seem to cary Studio project mic's , but one of the compitions do ( forgive me DB) music123 has an asortment of them .
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Jul 09, 2003 01:09 am JoonHol,
Define good. That's retorical. If you are happy with it; it is good. Yes a large diaphram will record most vocals much better. A large diaphram is much more sensitive than a dynamic such as your shure. It will pick up the subtle nuances that make vocals great. Now, will you hear the difference right away? I don't know. I don't want to insult you or mislead you either. Recording is a process. A journey if you will. Each recording leads to something that can be better. As you skill and equipment evolves large diaphram mics will become indespensible. Try using what you have. Practice techniques discussed in the articles here. Listen to other's recordings. If your vocals are lack luster, highly consider a large condenser.
I also denote some confusion. The 319 is one make and model of a large diaphram mic as is the NT1 by Rode and B1 by Behringer. Each large diaphram has it's own best use. I like the 319 for vocals. I use the NT1 and B1 for room mics as they capture a full range of sound with little coloration. I use small diaphram condensers for micing single instruments. I use dynamic mics on drum sets as they have high Sound Presure Level peaks.
Per your questions, I would recomend the Behringer B1. It is a good all purpose large diaphram mic and will be a great introduction to large diaphram mic capabilities as well as being very versitile. Once you have worked with it for awhile along with your shure I am confident that you will be able to better choose more selective use microphones.
Jul 09, 2003 01:28 am Quote:
i m recording my vocal wif my sm58, do i get any big diff if i m using this condender mic as compare to my sm58?
well, i've got some sm57's, almost exactly the same thing as your sm58, and since i got my condensor I'm so impressed with how it sounds I've been using it for *everything* lately!
And like Walt said, you'll use different mics for different sources. You're not wasting $100 if you buy a condensor. That's for sure.
Jul 09, 2003 08:37 am In regards to the Studio Projects mics, You will probably need to order them online. Not too many stores carry them yet.
This thread is the first place I've seen someone say a Berry B1 sounds better than a Studio Projects C1, but that is the thing about recording mics. It all depends on what/who you are recording. You really can't go wrong with any of the mics mentioned here. I mainly push the Studio Projects B1 because it doesn't seem to matter what I record, it works. I like to record things with several different mics and then compare them. Almost every time, the SP B1 is my favorite. Not always but mostly. It just seems to have "all" the frequiencies, without pushing any of them. All of my other mics all seem to either accentuate or scoop out some frequency. Of course for different voices, this is a good thing. The nice thing about the SP B1 is that it doesn't seem to build up when used on several tracks. Some of my other mics do. The B1 has a fairly good internal shock mount which helps with handling noise. A good shock mount is a must with the MK 319.
These are the mics I own and am comparing;
Shure KSM32
Rode NT1000
Studio Projects B1
Oktava MK319
Marshall electronics MXL 603's
Shure SM 58's
These mics all work well on the right source, but if I could only take one with me to record something, I would take the B1.
Blessings, Terry
A few places to find the Studio Projects mics;
www.musiccenterinc.com
www.music123.com
www.humbuckermusic.com
www.micguys.com
www.8thstreet.com
www.bpmmusic.com
