The Oktava MK-012
The MK-012 is the next microphone up on the list and is a compact, high quality capacitor microphone with interchangeable capsules to provide a choice of cardioid, hypercardioid or omni-directional polar patterns. This is our favorite multi-purpose microphone and we've successfully used it for miking instruments, drums (especially good) or anything else in particular. The reason behind this is the multi capsule design of the MK-012 which allows you to choose between three different polar patterns matching your application.
For vocals, the cardiod or hypercardiod patterns are often used but I found the omni pattern to be the most useful especially when recording acoustic guitars or stringed instruments (violins, cellos). The MK-012 is a full range design with a frequency response of 20Hz to 20kHz and comes with a -10db pad which is useful when used under high sound pressure levels such as when miking loud guitar amp stacks.
MK-012 In Use
As I mentioned earlier on, the MK-012 is my favourite multi purpose microphone, I've done many recording sessions miking everything from guitars to violins to drums and I've always been impressed by the flexibility of the MK-012. When used with vocals, I strongly suggest that you use a pop screen with it as the MK-012 is a rather sensitive microphone and tends to pick up a lot of pops in vocals if used without a screen.
If you're on a tight budget, I'd personally pick the MK-012 as it's flexibility allows novice home studio enthusiasts the flexibility of having a few mics cramped into one amazingly compact package. The MK-012 works very well with acoustic guitars and violins and because of the sensitivity of the mic. Like the MK-319 , it managed to capture alot of detail and if spaced sufficiently from the instrument, also records a very nice room ambience in the recording. Somehow though, I preferred the MK-319 for use with acoustic instruments because the MK-319 had warm sound which complements these stringed instruments which the MK-012 lacked.
The best application for the MK-012 I feel, would be a drum set. It worked exceptionally well on our Pearl kick drum because of the full range offered by the MK-012. It worked really well too at a snare or tom position as the sensitivity of the mic captured a very nice attack on snare beats. Overall, the MK-012 is an excellent compact and flexible microphone that is a must in any studio, especially if you're looking for a multipurpose microphone!
Matched Pairs are tested and measured in three steps at the factory in Tula to insure consistent quality and performance, and they are delivered with individual frequency printouts. All MSPs are matched with less than 1dB deviaiton. In pairs, the MK012s are perfectly suited for coincident and spaced stereo miking techniques, and also overhead usage in live and studio situations.