So how did it sound? Really pretty good. With no noise or distortion, plus really accurate transient response, the Mikrodigi 360 is suitable for recording just about anything. I tried it on voice, a drum kit, a chamber symphony and a rapper in a club. In each case, the playback was a very accurate representation of what I heard in the room as I recorded. I liked the virtual spaced omni stereo algorithm the best, although the ORTF was also decent.

In short, this is a helluva microphone, right out of the box. I hated to give it back.

Right now, Mikrodigi plans to ship at the beginning of April, or about when you read this. Formal introductions should also occur about then. Cost? This is the best part. In an age when we've become jaded by fantastic decreases in price, the Mikrodigi really is too good to be true! The capsule assembly plus cable is $279, list. The processor, with batteries (16 AA), is $995 ($1129 PC Windows version). Software license (copy-protected - boo, hiss!) is $495 ($299 for the Windows Version). In anticipation that demand will outstrip supply at first, Mikrodigi plans to limit sales to one per customer until all orders received prior to the end of March have been filled.

In summary, this microphone is a breakthrough. From its digital pickup to its spherical output to its unprecedented dynamic range, the Mikrodigi 360 sets a new standard for us all to rush out and buy. If you thought analog-to-digital was good, wait'll you try acoustic-to-digital!

Mikrodigi Corporation, Inc.
98 Massachusetts Ave.
Boston, MA 02215
1-800-555-BITS

Thanks to Herb Lumquist of Groton, MA for the use of his Lincoln Town Car, and to Hardapples Cooling Corporation for use of their facilities. Also to New England Speed Kings for the loan of a blown Chevy with 30-ton air compressor.

Dave Moulton is a senior member of the Fraternity of Audio Recording Technicians.