Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 1 store. Prices updated .

Average Price: $225

Standard/Professional

$100

$401+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

The Hugely popular MK 219 is a fixed pattern, cardioid microphone featuring a large diaphragm capsule teamed with a low noise discreet preamplifier circuit. Magnetic reed switches are provided for reliable long term durability of both the 10dB pad and the high pass filter. The capsule employs an extremely thin, gold plated diaphragm and is built to a classic design, enabling the microphone to equal or outperform models many times its price, not only on subjective sound quality but also, in many cases, in terms of sensitivity.

When used for vocals, the large diaphragm capsule adds warmth and enhanceshigh frequency detail while still sounding completely natural. It is strongly recommended that the microphone be used in conjunction with a pop filter when close miking vocals.

The Oktava MK219s high sensitivity means that it can be used on acoustic guitars, pianos and (in stereo matched pairs, available by special order) for ensemble recordings.

Product specs

Brand Oktava
Model MK-219 Cardioid Condenser Microphone
Finish Black
Year 2000s
Categories Microphones
Wired/Wireless Wired

FAQs

What is the polar pattern of the Oktava MK-219 microphone?

The Oktava MK-219 features a cardioid polar pattern, which is ideal for capturing sound from the front while minimizing noise from the sides and rear, making it suitable for studio recording.

Does the Oktava MK-219 require phantom power?

Yes, the Oktava MK-219 requires 48V phantom power to operate, which is standard for condenser microphones.

What are the typical applications for the Oktava MK-219 microphone?

The Oktava MK-219 is well-suited for recording vocals and a variety of acoustic instruments, providing a warm and detailed sound that is favored in studio settings.

How would you describe the sound character of the Oktava MK-219?

The Oktava MK-219 is known for its warm and natural sound, with a smooth frequency response that enhances vocal and instrument recordings.

Is the Oktava MK-219 suitable for home studio recording?

Yes, the Oktava MK-219 is a great choice for home studios due to its versatility and ability to capture detailed sound with minimal background noise.

The Creative HeadSpace

The Creative HeadSpace

Mic Shootout Neumann U87 vs. AKG 414 vs. Oktava MK 319 vs. Oktava MK 219 vs. Shure SM58 vs. AKG 3000

Video thumbnail for Mic Shootout Neumann U87 vs. AKG 414 vs. Oktava MK 319 vs. Oktava MK 219 vs. Shure SM58 vs. AKG 3000 by The Creative HeadSpace

Mic Shootout Neumann U87 vs. AKG 414 vs. Oktava MK 319 vs. Oktava MK 219 vs. Shure SM58 vs. AKG 3000

The Creative HeadSpace

The Creative HeadSpace

Video thumbnail for Oktava MK 219 Disassemble and Mechanical Mod by Adam Lansky

Oktava MK 219 Disassemble and Mechanical Mod

Adam Lansky

Adam Lansky

Video thumbnail for Shure SM57 vs. Oktava MK-219 on Drums by Matthew Parsons

Shure SM57 vs. Oktava MK-219 on Drums

Matthew Parsons

Matthew Parsons

Video thumbnail for Mic shootout with Oktavamod Oktava MK219 by M. Joly, Sterling Audio ST55, and AKG C1000S by Max B

Mic shootout with Oktavamod Oktava MK219 by M. Joly, Sterling Audio ST55, and AKG C1000S

Max B

Video thumbnail for Neumann U87 vs Oktava Mk219 With Michael Joly Mod by steve collom

Neumann U87 vs Oktava Mk219 With Michael Joly Mod

steve collom

steve collom

Video thumbnail for Demo of the Oktava MK 219 Condenser Mic by Southern Music Company

Demo of the Oktava MK 219 Condenser Mic

Southern Music Company

Southern Music Company

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Oktava MK-219.

Mods and upgrades

  • Michael Joly mod enhancements improve the MK-219's vocal performance by smoothing out sibilances.

    Source

User experience

  • The MK-219 is noted for its darker tone with 'wispy' highs, particularly in vocal applications.

    Source
  • Long-term owners frequently use the MK-219 alongside Audio Technica AT3035 and Shure SM57, indicating its reliability and utility in diverse recording settings.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Owners mention the MK-219 and MK-319 outperform the Rode NT1A in terms of tonal preference for vocals.

    Source
  • The MK-219 has been directly compared to the Neumann U87 on saxophone, with the MK-219 emerging as the preferred choice in that specific scenario.

    Source

Build quality

  • Authentic Russian-made Oktava mics have distinct visual differences; look for non-phillips screws on MK-012 models to ensure authenticity.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The MK-219 is highly recommended for electric guitar recording, providing a stellar sound profile.

    Source
  • Owners highlight the MK-219's exceptional performance with brass instruments, making it a go-to choice for recording brass sections.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The MK-219 remains a budget-friendly option in the market, offering a strong performance that rivals more expensive microphones in specific applications.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Oktava MK219

soundonsound.com

This Russian-made Oktava MK-219 microphone is a paradox of rugged aesthetics and sonic charm. While its design may not win beauty contests, this cardioid mic delivers surprising warmth and clarity, especially for vocals and acoustic instruments. Its price point is unbeatable, rivalling far pricier models without compromising on sound quality. The MK-219's construction may feel rudimentary, with basic switches and a chunky exterior, but it holds its own in performance. Despite a minor dip in the 3.5kHz range, the overall audio response is impressive, making it a hidden gem for budget-conscious studios.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 4 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
jimmarchi1

you owe it to yourself to try a 219 or 319

Even if you're not ona budget you should try out some oktava's. The 219 is the original and it was the first affordable true condenser I can think of. I started my mic collection with a 319 but shortly after that I got a 219 for free froma store thrown in with a compressor or preamp or something and while they're similar I liked them both a lot in different ways. For how little they cost you should own a couple of each if you record music.

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Jack White uses Oktava MK-219

Jack White

Guitarist, Drummer

The White Stripes

...
Verified via YouTube

In this video, a producer who worked with Jim Diamond (producer of Jack White on the first album) says that this latter used Octava MK-219 on guitar amplifier.

See how Adrian Utley uses Oktava MK-219

Adrian Utley

Guitarist, Keyboardist

Portishead

...
Verified via Sound On Sound

Mentioned in this November 2008 Sound on Sound interview.

"We did most of the vocals on a Rode NTK valve mic, even though Beth has a beautiful Soundelux, and I have a lovely valve Neumann U47 we've used on tons of stuff. We took those and an AKG C414, which we traditionally used on Beth's voice, compared them all, and ended up using the Rode — two or three hundred quid's worth, with a bog–standard valve in it, not modded at all. (I have a pair of Oktava MK219 mics, and there's a guy who mods them, and for a couple of hundred dollars more, you can really bring them up to scratch, and get rid of weird tones but I actually like the weird tones, and I love those Oktava mics.)"

See how Oliver Ackermann uses Oktava MK-219

Oliver Ackermann

Guitarist, Singer

A Place to Bury Strangers

...
Verified via Look At Me

Oliver Ackermann uses the Oktava MK-219 condenser microphone. In a 2012 interview with the Russian website Look At Me, he stated: "Oktava 219—we also have a Russian microphone, a good one. Incidentally, we used it in a recording not long ago."

See how Jerry Galeries uses Oktava MK-219

Jerry Galeries

Singer, Keyboardist

...
Verified via Jerry Galeries

Jerry Galeries uses the Oktava MK-219 condenser microphone for recording acoustic instruments, as detailed on his website's studio page.

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Oktava MK-219, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

Shure SM57
Shure SM57 Dynamic Microphones
2
Korg M1
Korg M1 Synthesizers
1
Fender Bassman Ten
Fender Bassman Ten Combo Guitar Amplifiers
1
Roland KC-550
Roland KC-550 Keyboard Amplifiers
1
AMS Neve 1272
AMS Neve 1272 Preamps & Channel Strips
1
SPL Transient Designer 2
SPL Transient Designer 2 Effects Processors
1

1 alternative for Oktava MK-219, curated by the Equipboard community.

More Oktava Condenser Microphones

Accessories & Related Items

Community setups

Gear Guides