Have your mic transformed into an OktavaMod Edition MK-319
One of the compromises present in the stock MK-319 is signal path wiring. The low-level, high impedance output signal of the capsule must travel quite a distance to and from the low cut and attenuation switches before reaching the impedance converter FET. This long signal path causes HF detail loss through the effects of stray capacitance. By rewiring the circuit and eliminating the use of these switches I am able to drastically shorten the signal wire lengths. Shortening these wires significantly reduces stray capacitance losses to improve high frequency detail and high frequency response. For most applications you will not need these switches. I feel so strongly this is necessary I do not mod the MK-319 without making this circuit change.

Next, one layer of head basket screening is removed to reduce internal sound reflections between the grille and the capsule that smear midrange and high frequency detail. This also serves to smooth and extend the high frequency response.

Inside the head basket, the capsule diaphragm resonator discs are removed to reveal the natural frequency response of the capsule, improve transient response and extend the high frequency response. An isolation mount / diffuser is installed at the base of the capsule on the floor of the capsule mount area to reduce “boink” and tame sound reflections that smear mid to high detail.

On the circuit board, critical signal path components are upgraded to audiophile grade parts. The parts chosen are the result of years of listening tests to determine the best-sounding component types and values. This dramatically improves midrange clarity and presence while extending deep bass response that also improves important mid-range phase accuracy. An optional Premium Electronics upgrade replaces 100% of the PC board components (transformer excluded) with best-in-class components which include Black Gate capacitors, specialty Mylar and polypropylene capacitors, low-noise metal film resistors and a modern, low-noise, high transient performance version of the same FET type used in the original Neumann FET microphones. I personally audition each FET for best sound and lowest noise twice – once during installation (after biasing and level setting using a real time spectrum analyzer), then again after initial burn-in.

“Flat Top” Mod
As above, but the head basket is modified to further reduce mechanical resonances in this assembly and create a more open, less reflective chamber. The vertical fins on either side of the head basket are removed and the rounded grille cap removed to distinguish this mod from the standard mod. As with the Standard Mod, the capsule is now being shock-mounted.

With either mod, the end result is a microphone that is far more accurate with enhanced transparency that reveals more of the explosive mid-range authority and smooth high end the large diaphragm Oktava capsule is known for. An added bonus is 6dB of sparkle at 16kHz that is revealed.

“Floating Dome” Mod
In response to client requests, the Floating Dome joins the Flat Top to reduce headbasket standing waves but preserve the classic look of the MK-319. The Floating Dome, like its predecessor the Flat Top, has a more open headbasket than the stock MK-319. This has two effects.

First, in a stock 319 there are four parallel reflective surfaces - the upright bars on the sides of the headbasket and the capsule sides. When the bars are removed, standing waves are reduced because sound can exit the headbasket more freely and is no longer reflected back and forth between these parallel surfaces to the same extent. This is particularly important in mic'ing applications where a high proportion of off-axis sound reaches the microphone - drum over heads or room mics. The Floating dome off-axis sound will be less colored than the Standard mod.

Second, removing these bars eliminates a source of mechanical resonance. The bars are like tangs on a tuning fork - they have a definite pitch when excited by vibration. The Floating Dome offers an incremental improvement in clarity and freedom from mechanical resonance over the Standard mod. To my knowledge, there has not been a mic with a 360 lateral degree open headbasket before. The AKG C12 had a very open, single-layer headbasket but still had side supports. Note that removing the side bars and inner grille mesh does make the headbasket more susceptible to dents if the mic is dropped. But with normal usage there are no adverse mechanical effects.

The difference between the Floating Dome and the Flat Top is largely aesthetic, though acoustic theory indicates a rounded top grille will reduce vertical standing wave accumulation between the grille and capsule base more than a flat top grille. However, since all my mods included a conical diffuser-absorber at the capsule base, a rounded top grille is not a significant advantage - the diffuser-absorber at the capsule base serves to reduce vertical standing waves. You are free to make your choice between the Floating Dome and the Flat Top based on which look you prefer.

Existing customers - if you have a Flat Top and would prefer a Floating Dome don't despair. I can convert it for you. Email me if you're interested.

Stock

 

 

Standard Mod

Flat Top Mod

Floating Dome

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