Modded Oktavas as Drum Overheads

Lardroom · 25th October 2006

So here it is: I'm looking for a pair of large-diaphragm condensers to use as overheads when recording big rock drums. Looking for something unique that no one else in Louisville has. I'm also looking to stay within a budget, so a pair of Elams as overheads just ain't a part of the gameplan. I've more or less settled on a pair of Joly's Modded Oktavas with premium electronics. Question is: which one do I go with? 219 or 319? If the 319, then floating dome or flat top? Anyone out there who's had experiance with these mics, I need your help!

Sergievsky · 25th October 2006

I just received my modded MK105, but since I only have one I can't use it for overheads. But, the capsule is the same as the mk102(and mkl5000) which I do have a pair of, and have used for overheads. And it works extremely well in that app, and has also worked great on acoustic guitar.

I'm dying to test this thing out but I'm rewiring the studio so it'll be a couple of days before I get up and running. Michael is pretty cool so he might let you try out the 319s and switch it to the 105s if it doesn't work out. But I'd say if you go oktavamod go straight to the 105s. I'll report back though once I get some extended sessions with it.

uncle duncan · 25th October 2006

The modded 319 is a really cool mic. There's a little dip in the response up around 6K, but there is still good high end above 6K. This has the affect of smoothing out a jangly acoustic guitar but still leaving it sounding present. I tried mine as a front of kit mic, but I prefer a Charter Oaks 538B for that application. (Just a touch more high mids on that mic.) If you usually add high end EQ to your overheads, the 319 probably wouldn't give you what you want. But it's a great mic. Maybe get one 319 and one MK-105, put them both up, and then buy a second mic of whichever one you prefer. If you end up liking the MK-105 better for overheads, you'll still be able to use the 319 for slide acoustic guitar, dobro, violin, stuff that needs a softer high end.

Sergievsky · 25th October 2006

Hey uncle duncan, did you notice a bump in the 1khz area on the 319? Michael told me there is a capsule diaphragm resonance factory-tuned to 870hz. I'm wondering if it was more pronounced in mine or it's just the standard voice of the mic, in which case sources that need a little more presence would benefit from it, and would explain why it didn't work with the female voices I recorded.

MichaelJoly · 25th October 2006

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sergievsky

capsule diaphragm resonance factory-tuned to 870hz.

Re: Diaphragm tuning -

Yes, all condenser microphone diaphragms have a basic, low Q. low amplitude resonant frequency. The stock factory frequency spec for the Oktava MK-219/3319 capsule is 870Hz. This should not be interpreted as "bump" in the response, its a bit more subtle than that, but nevertheless, this fundemental diaphragm resonance does establish a certain character in a large diaphragm capsule.

I've been interested in this issue of diaphragm resonance tuning for some time. I am now working with Oktava in Tula to explore the posibillity of "low" and "high" tuned capsule diaphragms. I have just taken delivery of four MK-219 mics, two tuned "low" and two tuned "high". The box was just delivered and has not been opened yet.

But I'm going to put these mics through their paces and determine if there will be value in offering "low" or "high" tuned diaphragms as an option to the standard tuned capsules.

TheSweetener · 25th October 2006

To be honest, I think without a huge amount of hi eq the modded 319 won't work on overheads. These are some of the darkest LCM available, so if you're used to SDC this will be very different! You still might like it on overheads, but I doubt it.

tonymite · 25th October 2006

I have mc/mk-012, and 219 un-modded. Love mk-012 on anything accoustic guit- OH vox - u name it ... smooth as silk...

I tried mk-319 vs 219 and it had that mortar shell peak that made me puke.

jba · 25th October 2006

Here is a sample of modified 319's as overheads. They were set up "recorderman" style. There is no processing except for Waves IDR to take the sample from 24bit to 16bits.

By themselves and without EQ they are smooth and soft like ribbon mics. But they take EQ well, and I used a NT2000 in front of the kit to pick up a lot of the sizzle that the 319s lack.

I think people who like to use ribbons as OH but want a little more detail would be really happy with modified 319s as OH. BTW, I had the floating dome, premium electronics mod and the preamp used in this clip was a Trident S20.

-Jim Bob

Lardroom · 25th October 2006

Thanks for the sample clip, Jim. I've been leaning towards the floating dome 319's with premium upgrades for a bit, but I'm now sold. My research had given me an idea that these mics would sound like this, but I'm shocked as to how closely their sound matches what I had in mind. Perfect fit.

taturana · 25th October 2006

i use 2 oktava mkl2500, and they sound better than the 319's on OH..

25th October 2006	#1
Lardroom Gear nut Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: The Land of Bluegrass n' Bourbon Posts: 138 Thread Starter	Modded Oktavas as Drum Overheads So here it is: I'm looking for a pair of large-diaphragm condensers to use as overheads when recording big rock drums. Looking for something unique that no one else in Louisville has. I'm also looking to stay within a budget, so a pair of Elams as overheads just ain't a part of the gameplan. I've more or less settled on a pair of Joly's Modded Oktavas with premium electronics. Question is: which one do I go with? 219 or 319? If the 319, then floating dome or flat top? Anyone out there who's had experiance with these mics, I need your help!

25th October 2006	#2
Sergievsky Gear addict Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Manila, Philippines Posts: 342	I just received my modded MK105, but since I only have one I can't use it for overheads. But, the capsule is the same as the mk102(and mkl5000) which I do have a pair of, and have used for overheads. And it works extremely well in that app, and has also worked great on acoustic guitar. I'm dying to test this thing out but I'm rewiring the studio so it'll be a couple of days before I get up and running. Michael is pretty cool so he might let you try out the 319s and switch it to the 105s if it doesn't work out. But I'd say if you go oktavamod go straight to the 105s. I'll report back though once I get some extended sessions with it. __________________ Raul

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25th October 2006	#3
uncle duncan Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 3,585	The modded 319 is a really cool mic. There's a little dip in the response up around 6K, but there is still good high end above 6K. This has the affect of smoothing out a jangly acoustic guitar but still leaving it sounding present. I tried mine as a front of kit mic, but I prefer a Charter Oaks 538B for that application. (Just a touch more high mids on that mic.) If you usually add high end EQ to your overheads, the 319 probably wouldn't give you what you want. But it's a great mic. Maybe get one 319 and one MK-105, put them both up, and then buy a second mic of whichever one you prefer. If you end up liking the MK-105 better for overheads, you'll still be able to use the 319 for slide acoustic guitar, dobro, violin, stuff that needs a softer high end.

25th October 2006	#6
TheSweetener Lives for gear Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Germany / Frankfurt Posts: 1,209	To be honest, I think without a huge amount of hi eq the modded 319 won't work on overheads. These are some of the darkest LCM available, so if you're used to SDC this will be very different! You still might like it on overheads, but I doubt it.

25th October 2006	#7
tonymite Gear addict Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Melbourne Posts: 451	I have mc/mk-012, and 219 un-modded. Love mk-012 on anything accoustic guit- OH vox - u name it ... smooth as silk... I tried mk-319 vs 219 and it had that mortar shell peak that made me puke.

25th October 2006	#8
jba Gear nut Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Raleigh, NC Posts: 82	Here is a sample of modified 319's as overheads. They were set up "recorderman" style. There is no processing except for Waves IDR to take the sample from 24bit to 16bits. By themselves and without EQ they are smooth and soft like ribbon mics. But they take EQ well, and I used a NT2000 in front of the kit to pick up a lot of the sizzle that the 319s lack. I think people who like to use ribbons as OH but want a little more detail would be really happy with modified 319s as OH. BTW, I had the floating dome, premium electronics mod and the preamp used in this clip was a Trident S20. -Jim Bob

25th October 2006	#10
taturana Lives for gear Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil Posts: 4,007 13 Reviews written	i use 2 oktava mkl2500, and they sound better than the 319's on OH..