SDC Pair, which to choose?

[Funkyflash5]

After my last session used all of my SDCs at once, I decided that I should probably use some of the proceeds there-of on a new pair to have choices in future sessions. What I already own (as far as SDCs) are a pair of Lauten Audio LA 120, a Mxl V67n, a Shure Beta 181/BI, an Audix ADX51, and several Shure Beta 98s. The new pair will be used for drum overheads, acoustic guitar, violin/viola, possibly as a room pair for a horn section, probably some aux percussion. Budget is approximately $600USD.

So far the top contenders are:
AKG C451 B
Oktava MK-012
Rode NT55
sE Electronics sE8

I'm happy to consider others I've overlooked and would stretch the budget a bit if there was a compelling reason. What would you choose and why? Is the hypercardioid caps with the Oktavas enough reason to chose those? Or is having the omni option with my LA 120's good enough and having my second pair cardioid only fine?

If I've left something out let me know, I'm excited to hear what y'all think

[djangodeadman]

There are omni capsules available for the SE8’s now, although they don’t come with them.

[Mike Stranks]

Not very well known on your side of the pond I think, but I'd check-out the CM4 and OM1s from Line Audio...

They punch way above their weight and you could probably get a pair of each within your budget or thereabouts!

[Hugh Robjohns]

So far the top contenders are:
AKG C451 B
Oktava MK-012
Rode NT55
sE Electronics sE8

I'd swerve the AKGs. The C451 is an pale imitation of the original. I don't know the sE8s so can't comment on those. The Oktava is good and you can add different capsules to gain flexibility, and the same with the NT55 which are both good mics... but I would opt for the Oktavas, not least because they sound great and come with the three capsules -- hypercardioids are very useful!

[manwilde]

Not that I have compared them to lots of other SDCs, but I've been using my Oktavas for several years now and they have never let me down. And the three different capsules get used a lot.

[Funkyflash5]

Looks like I'm going to go with the Oktavas! Thanks everyone for the input

[manwilde]

Swapping capsules without changing anything else on a given setting is a great learning experience, and lots of fun.

[Funkyflash5]

Oktavas were supposed to arrive today, but FedEx decided to drop them off for pickup at Walgreens and they have gone missing Customer support has asked me to try again tomorrow in case it was mis-scanned and is still on a truck

[Martin Walker]

[John Willett]

Not very well known on your side of the pond I think, but I'd check-out the CM4 and OM1s from Line Audio...

They punch way above their weight and you could probably get a pair of each within your budget or thereabouts!

I agree - these are my no.1 recommendations for people who need good mics on a limited budget.

[Macca_25387]

Oktavas would be my choice also from my own personal experience. Great mics.

[Funkyflash5]

Several days of nonsense from FedEx later, the Oktavas have arrived! I'll be giving them a test run tomorrow

[Drew Stephenson]

Well at least they've arrived!