MK319 or AT3035 or NT-1 or ?
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Posted on Aug 04, 2004 11:16 pm
jskipp
Member Since: Jul 30, 2004
I was wondering if anyone could give me input on these mics. I am recording my band right now and the singer has a normally soft voice, as with a lot of other bands I work with (typically more indie type stuff). I don't want it to pick up every noise in the room, but I don't want to worry about making the singer sing louder either. I'm not sure what crisp means, or a lot of that stuff. I wouldn't mind being able to record amps as well. I guess I'm just looking for a very good vocal mic (on a budget) that I can use on some other things (though I have an sm 58 already), but vox most and foremost importantly.
Thanks
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WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Aug 05, 2004 12:06 am I'm not familiar with the AT, but I have both the NT1 and the 319. Verrrry different mics. The NT1 is crisp. Def: very articulate, very sensitive, and records high frequencies a little louder than than lower frequencies. Some may use terms such as shrill, sharp, etc. The 319 is much "softer" def: It records mid frequencies a little louder than lower and upper frequencies giving the sound a mellow, soft, warm, feel. The 319 is a little less sensitive to very low volume sounds as well, although being a large diaphram mic it will record a mouse fart. The 319 also distorts sound a little. This is a desired effect for many folks as it mimics a tube preamp to a great degree which is often a desired effect for vocals.
I would recomend the NT1 first. More versitle, very friendly with eq. tube effects, for a wide variety of recording uses. The 319 is more limited in application.
jskippMember
Since: Jul 30, 2004
Aug 05, 2004 12:14 am Also, I am recording all digital, so I'm not sure if the Low self noise (12dB SPL) on the AT will make a difference.
WaltChief Cook and Bottle WasherMember
Since: May 10, 2002
Aug 05, 2004 12:50 am Eeee gad! Good question. That's like the answer to the universe and all things. Wish I could remember the number.... oh well. Both the NT1 and 319 are relitively low self noise. As to the overall effect, totaly depends on your entire signal chain. It's kinda like buying the best Harmon Karden stereo made and pumping it into rad shack speakers. How good does the stereo sound? Who knows, the speakers sure sound ugly. There comes a point where regardless of the quality of the componants you use if you are making a CD it is all squashed down to 44.1 16 bit. The average quiet room is about 50dB. Every 6dB is a half volume ratio. Most folks ears produce more self noise than 12dB, especially if they have attended more than one rock concert.
pjkPrince CZAR-mingMember
Since: Apr 08, 2004
Aug 05, 2004 01:19 pm not to challenge the gracious host here . . . but www.pssl.com has the Rode NT1A with a price drop of 20$.
If I didn't like my SP B3 so much I'd jump at it.
jskippMember
Since: Jul 30, 2004
Aug 05, 2004 09:57 pm I went ahead and got the Oktava MK319. For one, the mic was $99.00 at Guitar center and the one I had my eye on at Ebay went for 93.00 today, so I knew if I needed to sell it, I could. But I don't think I'll be selling it. I had to buy a thing for phantom power, and the sound (despite the guy at GC telling me I would need a $300.00 Preamp) is great through my BR-8. But I have to give credit to the guy at the same GC with whom I spoke before driving up there. He said for what I was doing (more pavement, bedhead, centro-matic type of things) this mic would actually work better that either of the other two mics. "Plus," he said. "What a deal." All I know it that thing is like a new bike.
