MICROPHONE OF THE MONTH OCTOBER 2024

This Oktava ML-19 cardioid ribbon microphone dates from 1978, long before Putin's stupid war monging. A time when Comrade Leonid Brezjnev was the leader of the Soviet Union, which was in decline, because its brutal and faltering regime, like today's Russia,

Unlikely as it may seem, the Oktava ML-19 was a great product. Even today, it is considered as one of the best directional ribbon microphones, some even compare it to the RCA BK-5, RCA's directional legendary model..

The ML-19 has a short, broad ribbon, unlike its predecessors which had longer and much narrower ribbons. The ribbon is shielded against blasts by a piece of metal. The microphone was made from 1970 until at least 1988.

The design is brutish, like some other Oktavas, although the designers reached a new low when they decided on this square design, which might resemble a Cubist impression of a Sennheiser MD 441. If it had featured in my book 'Witnesses of Words' it would definitely be part of the 'Ugly Microphones' section.

The ML-19 was meant for serious studio work and broadcasting, although I have not seen any photos of it in use.

It has become known as the last good Oktava ribbon microphone. The later ML-51 (which looks much like a Sennheiser MD 421) was of less quality, also because of the odd built in pre-amp. The ML-19 was also the last directional ribbon that Oktava ever made.

Although production ended before the end of the Soviet Union, many ML-19s found their way to the West, where they are popular for recording electric guitar and saxophone, but of course they are well suited for many more studio jobs.

The frequency range is 50-16000 Hz. Sensitivity 2 mV / Pa. Sensitivity drop front-rear 12 dB. Impedance: 250 Ohm. Dimensions 140x46x41 mm. Weight 550 gr.

These microphones are regularly offered for sale, often by sellers from former Soviet republics. They are definitely a lot cheaper than Beyerdynamic M160s or RCA BK-5s, so they may be worth considering, especially since cardioid ribbons are pretty scarce, no modern maker has come up with a contending design yet.

Many more types feature in my book Witnesses of Words. More information about that can be found at www.witnessesofwords.com