Today, I finally bought a full size diaphram, condensor mic. I've been planning to get one for about the last three years now. Initially I was looking at an AKG C3000, as a low cost, though good quality for the money microphone. As it came closer to getting it, I did some more research and ended up deciding on a Rode K2. The cost was considerably higher than the AKG, but what I have now is a very nice valve mic with a fully variable pattern. Starting from an omni pattern, it will pan through to a cardioid, through to a figure eight pattern.

After trying it out today with a nylon string guitar and hand percussion against my legs, I was most impressed. It really does a good job with the guitar and the sensitivity to pick up clearly, both slapping noise and the sound of sliding my hands across my jeans bodes well for improvised percussive instruments. Also, what surprised me was that it didn't seem to pick up the traffic noise in the background that I could hear. I'm looking forward to trying out a tin wistle with it too. Of course it should go without saying that it will be very good for voice work.