I picked up a pair of AKG P170 SDCs recently and I really like them for the price.

tommy wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 9:23 am

losthighway wrote: Sat Feb 19, 2022 7:54 pm The first candidates that come to mind are small diaphragm condensers: Oktava mk12 or Shure ksm137.

This. The KSM137 has a bit better detail in the high end (less washy) than the MK/MC 012, we A/Bed them in our space. Probably more expensive than your target price though.

Also the AT Pro 37 that was also already mentioned is a super good budget choice. We didn't A/B those against the 012 though...

My main overheads are KSM 137 and they're great, also excel at the 2-mic thing on drums. I was even able to get a pretty good recording of a 2-piece jam session by pointing 1 directly at a 412 combo and the other at dick height on the drums, with the amp and drums at 90 degree angles to each other and pretty close. So yeah they are great mics, but outside the price range of what I think OP is looking for.

Chud Fusk wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 2:10 pm

tommy wrote: Tue Feb 22, 2022 9:23 am

losthighway wrote: Sat Feb 19, 2022 7:54 pm The first candidates that come to mind are small diaphragm condensers: Oktava mk12 or Shure ksm137.

This. The KSM137 has a bit better detail in the high end (less washy) than the MK/MC 012, we A/Bed them in our space. Probably more expensive than your target price though.

Also the AT Pro 37 that was also already mentioned is a super good budget choice. We didn't A/B those against the 012 though...

My main overheads are KSM 137 and they're great, also excel at the 2-mic thing on drums. I was even able to get a pretty good recording of a 2-piece jam session by pointing 1 directly at a 412 combo and the other at dick height on the drums, with the amp and drums at 90 degree angles to each other and pretty close. So yeah they are great mics, but outside the price range of what I think OP is looking for.

My price range is dependent on how much my current eBay auctions amount to, all said and done. It would be nice to get a stereo pair for around $200-$250, which I think is fair. But... it seems like I may need to supplement a pair of small/large diaphragm condensers with a centered mic to capture the low end, and I do own a Peavey PVM-321 bass-freq. mic that can do just that.

I may end up selling off the second sE voodoo and going from there. I definitely think a new microphone can bring inspiration to me, just like a new guitar or instrument, so I never feel bad about re-selling equipment I paid good money for, so long as I put that money back into different gear. I do however, hold onto preamps and more high-end stuff. I sold off a boutique preamp years ago and it was a mistake. Now I always hold onto them, they're almost like art objects to me. I guess I play favorites with microphones too. Speaking of... I always wanted to try the vocal mic used for the Nirvana Unplugged. Gotta look that up.

I've also gotta be happy with the fact I experimented with the sE voodoos for about 2 years, and dialed in some nice recordings with them, so I've used them to the best of my ability and have proof of it that'll live on.

losthighway wrote: Sat Feb 19, 2022 7:54 pm Oktava mk12

What can't you do with these mics?

Mickey242 wrote: Fri Mar 04, 2022 11:55 pm

losthighway wrote: Sat Feb 19, 2022 7:54 pm Oktava mk12

What can't you do with these mics?

Vocals or kick.... Maybe?

I'm standing by for someone to challenge that assumption.

losthighway wrote: Tue Mar 08, 2022 5:29 pm

Mickey242 wrote: Fri Mar 04, 2022 11:55 pm

losthighway wrote: Sat Feb 19, 2022 7:54 pm Oktava mk12

What can't you do with these mics?

Vocals or kick.... Maybe?

I'm standing by for someone to challenge that assumption.

I would not be all that shocked if it was workable with one of these -

https://www.oktava-shop.com/MK-012-100- ... anguage=en

losthighway wrote: Tue Mar 08, 2022 5:29 pm What can't you do with these mics?

Vocals or kick.... Maybe?

I'm standing by for someone to challenge that assumption.
[/quote]

Never tired a Kick, but probably would be cool. They sound great on floor toms. I have used them for vocals. We packed up a little recording package tp take to a Air BnB with a little Focusrite interface, a tenor guitar and Lunchbox amp, and one of those tiny Akai LPK25 midi controllers. A 012 was the only mic I chose to bring because I was geeking over bringing the smallest stuff. Totally acceptable on vocals. A little sensitive to plosives, but if you get it in the right spot, works just fine.

Never used them but here are some allegedly NOS Peavey SDCs for under a hundo each

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115283190269