recordinghacks

CardioidJSC Oktava MK-219

MSRP: $250 Cardioid Condenser Microphone

JSC Oktava MK-219

Description

The MK-219 is a popular large-diaphragm condenser, designed and produced in JSC Oktava’s factory in Tula, Russia. Since its release (in the West) in 1994, it has had a reputation of offering a great value for the price, which at the time was over $500. These mics regularly sell on Ebay for $80 today.

Sound on Sound, April 1994Rumour has it that the large diaphragm capsule used is based on an old Neumann design and, having done direct comparisons with my Microtech UM70 (a rather more elegant ex-Eastern bloc mic also purporting to use a Neumann capsule design), I can say that the two mics sounded so similar that in a blind test with vocals, I couldn’t tell one from the other.

Magnetic reed switching is provided for both the 10dB pad and low pass filter switches built into the mic.

The capsule uses an extremely thin, gold plated diaphragm. The same capsule assembly is also used in Oktava’s newer design, the MK-319 (also a single-diaphragm, large-diaphragm cardioid condenser).

See Oktavamod (link in sidebar) for both mechanical and electronic-component upgrades that provide notable improvements to the sound of this mic. Oktavamod also offers an omni conversion.

Matched stereo pairs are available.

The JSC Oktava MK-219 is also known as: MK219, 219.

The mic was released in 1994.

Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
  • Cardioid (40 - 18,000 Hz)
  • Pad: -10dB (Via Switch)
  • Filter: HPF, 20-500Hz cut (Via Switch)
Diaphragm size Impedance Max SPL
28mm (1.10'') 200 Ohms (Low (50-1000 Ohms)) 122 dB
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
340g (11.99oz) 202mm (7.95'') 48mm (1.89'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Requires Phantom Power
  • Phantom voltage: 48v

Did we get anything wrong on this page?Please let us know!