Tdukex, thanks for your response. Damn, that MC012 keeps coming back like something that won't be ignored. It's interesting what you say about it being so favorably reviewed by the people at Electronic Musician. Less than a year ago, I was T-H-A-T C-L-O-S-E to getting one, had contacted the Sound Room about shipping prices and all that, when I came across an article in Recording magazine written by Paul Stamler, who reviewed the MC012 very positively, among others. (As you know if you've ever read that magazine, the reviews seldom have much or anything negative to say about the products they cover.) About the Oktava, he said:
"Drawbacks? Only a few. The most notable problem is with acoustic guitars: the MC012 has problems with some Martins, particularly the large-bodied dreadnoughts, and with lower priced instruments such as Alvarez and Yamaha that are based on Martin designs. The radiation pattern on these guitars doesn't mesh with the Oktava; the bass frequencies 'woof out', and no eq will fix them."
He added, as did our very own Recording Engineer later on, that this problem can be solved using the omni capsule. Well, because I sing and play at the same time, omni's not as good as cardiod, so I rejected that idea. And for me, boominess is the biggest problem recording acoustic, which because of my recording situation, has to be close-miked - and so the prospect of a boomy mic scared me off.
I want a cardioid that I can work close to the guitar, not too much proximity effect (no need for EQ), clear without being brittle. I'm fearful that the Oktava can't do that. But I reckon for about $500, there *is* a mic that can.
