Seeing we are talking mics and favourites, the reason I have so many mics and favourites is that I love recording bands live, all playing together in the studio. When this happens you need MICS! And they all have to be good.
For example, my own bands last album was recorded live, except vocals. Drums: Kick in (D112 or D12), Kick out (10" speaker), snare top (CAD TSM411 or SM57), snare bottom (small condenser), Hats (sennheiser me40), 2 toms (2 x AT3525), 2 floor toms 2 x AT3525), 2 overheads (Sennheiser ME40 x 2 or MXL V67Q stereo). Guitar cab: Large condenser NT1, Fat head ribbon, SM57 (or 421). Bass: SM57, AKG4000C and DI. Why so many, because we are recording live so no second chance, multi mics give multiple options later.
Coming up, bluegrass band: 3 x vocals, Banjo (yes I know LOL) Mandolin, fiddle, guitar, double bass (all Miced) I love this stuff. So it's nice to have a few mics in the mic cabernet.
Alan.