[jaz49]

Originally Posted by HeavyG

My first LDC purchase was a Rode NT1A...nice mic for the right application...but way too crispy for vocals on the high end (for my ears). My next LDC purchase was an Oktava MK319 (thanks fellow Slutz for the recommendation)....and OH BOY...was it night and day. You know how through your headphones you hear the room noise (movement, talking, etc) and it sounds so different than your ears (with many mics)? The Oktava was the first mic I have owned that sounded just like my own ears...I am looking to get another MK319 and use them as drum overheads (my current OHs are the dreaded AKG C1000s).

Thanks...good info...and I think you're right about the MK319. I was just listening to some clips at the jamroom http://www.***************.com/jamroomsessions_home.php and yeah, that mike was so natural sounding to my ears. That one's on my wish list. It was much better than most of the others I listened to. But I liked the Beta 87a a lot too...totally different sound than the 319, however. The CAD wasn't as nice, IMO.

Here's a link to a rough demo I did using my AT3035 on the first two verses, and the Senn. e835 dynamic on the third verse(with a lot of eq and reverb to smooth out the harshness) jaz49's SoundClick page

FYI...You mentioned the Shure Beta 87...and this is more of a "stage condensor"...a live vocal mic that has better feedback rejection than a typical condensor. I was dead set on buying the Beta 87 a short time ago (since I have used a Beta 58 for 10 plus years with great success)...but I A/Bed that against the Audix VX5 and bought the Audix (for my live vocals...I have not tried to record with it yet). I have also heard great things about the CAD 179...and you mentioned the RE20, which is world class, too (used ones go for a bit over $250 on eBAY...I watch them religiously cuz I WANT ONE).

MK319, CAD 179 and EV RE20 are all wonderfully versatile...with the RE20 adding in the almighty KICK DRUM Hall of Fame skills, too.

Thanx again