Omni or cardioid capsules for MC012?

[Bigus Dickus]

After extensive looking and searching here (and asking a ton of questions, and reading the Gerst thread...) I'm almost positive that the Oktava MC012's are going to be the best bet in my price range for my needs (which is recording my grand piano in my home).

I'm still debating on whether to go with The Sound Room, or RecordingServices (I'm awaiting a response from the latter on whether output charts are provided... since no one has yet vouched for their ability to hand match stereo pairs, I'm a bit unsure about them at the moment).

And now I have another question to settle: omni or cardioid? Most people recommend getting the cardioid first, and that was my intention, but I don't want to be too hasty and overlook the other prematurely. My piano is in a small room, and close micing is probably the way I'm headed. I know omni's will pick up more of the room interaction, but I would be able to make a "sound tent" to help isolate the piano if needed. Is there any advantage in my application to having omni capsules instead of cardioid? Will cardioid in close micing give me problems with some notes being accentuated (on axis) while others are not (off axis)?

Should I just bite the bullet and get both capsules? Yeah, I know, that's probably what I should do. But I've already decided not to get the $200 pair from Guitar Center (sounds like too much of a crapshoot, and I don't have a local one to hand pick mics from). It's either the $330 pair from RecordingServices, or the $426 pair from The Sound Room, depending on how comfortable I am with the former. $400+ is already getting just a bit more than I "wanted" to spend on mics, and another $130 for an extra pair of capsules isn't very settling.

From The Sound Room the $426 pair can include whichever capsule is desired, so I'm bouncing between cardioid and omni. Another issue with buying both capsules is that, AFAIK, you have to spend yet another $60 for the second set of capsules to be matched.

 

[Track Rat]

I got my matched pair from The Sound Room with the three capsules and attenuators. If you're only going to get one capsule to start with and you have a small room, my advise would be to go with the cardiod capsules.

 

[Bigus Dickus]

I'm thinking that as well... I was really only wanting experienced members to come in and say "get this one" to put my mind at ease.

I suppose I could always order the omni capsules later if the cardioid wasn't working out well... wouldn't seem like so much money that way.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

If it's any help, here are the curves that came with my matched pair of MC012s from the Sound Room:

http://www.itrstudio.com/oktava_mc012_mic1.gif

http://www.itrstudio.com/oktava_mc012_mic2.gif

 

[Bigus Dickus]

Thanks Harvey. I just received an email from the owner of RecordingServices informing me that they do not supply any output charts or other testing information for reference or varification of their matching process.

For some reason, I feel that if I'm going to spend more money for a "matched pair" then I want to know that they are matched, both due to numerous recommendations and vouches for their experience in matching, and by the charts supplied for reference.

Looks like it's the Sound Room for me, with cardioid caps, and the comfort of knowing I'm getting what I paid for.

 

[memriloc]

Well Smallie....

...I think you're on the right track...I didn't get mine through the sound room, but Ive heard too many people here say that they're the shite, not the go through them....I'm realy scepties at the epray doood not giving ANY documentation!!!!....No go I'd say....He may've been 'round for ages on epray, but no one here with any knowledge has bought through them/him/her so who's to say that they're getting business through people that know and not just beginners, hobbiests or people who just take the chance.....Again, I'd say save the mula and go for the Room....Anyone agree?

 

[tdukex]

Looks like it's the Sound Room for me, with cardioid caps, and the comfort of knowing I'm getting what I paid for.

Actually, if you are going to close mic the piano a pair of omnis should allow you to acomplish this without fighting the proximity effect. And with close micing, you won't hear nearly as much of the room.

Check out littledog's response in this thread:

http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?threadid=67226

 

[Bigus Dickus]

I ordered already from The Soundroom, with cardioid caps. I'm well aware that omni's might works better for me, but cardioid might work better as well. It was a toss up, and I only felt like buying one set of caps at the moment, so I chose the most common configuration. I feel like it's a gamble, maybe 50/50, maybe something a bit different, but it really seemed there was no way to be sure which would work best for my use other than trying it out.

So, I made a choice, and bought the cardioids. If it doesn't work out, I'll buy the omni's, and have a pair of more versatile mics.

 

[Richard Monroe]

Yo Bigus- just a couple of tips from one who uses these mics as workhorses-
1. The threads on the capsules are very fine, and easy to crossthread. When you screw them together, BE GENTLE WITH THEM!

2. They are prone to popping, and you may find that a pop filter is a good thing even when using them on instruments (my Taylor pops them like a mother w/o a pop filter).

3. The paint that shows the cardioid or other symbol on the capsule flakes off real easy, so get a permanent marker and mark them now, so you don't mix them up.

4. Quick, send off an email to Taylor Johnson and tell him exactly what you're going to use them for, and he will pick a pair of capsules with an appropriate frequency curve. He cares, and not all matched pairs have the same profile.

5. Consider a good shockmount/pop filter combo like the Sabrasom units Taylor handles. They're versatile and well made.

Best of luck with your new mics.-Richie

 

[Bigus Dickus]

Thanks for the advice. I'll send a message to Taylor ASAP. I'll also remember to mark the caps when they come in. I deal with fine machinery often, so hopefully I won't crossthread them, though it's good to know to take special care with these mics. I've ordered some nice shockmounts, and I'll play with the pop filter and see how they react to my piano.

Good tips... thanks a million.