Keep on keepin on...I was just gonna say...stick to clean uncolored pres with the 3525 which it seems you are doing. It doesnt work well with any of the low-midrange tube pres. It needs open air.
sure Audio tecnica makes some good mics but dont lose the focus here.
this guy needs a mic he can use on stage as well and he is rapping so the mic stand isnt even going to be used.
Ive seen this mic called a superlux that looks like a stage mic but also has a large diaphram in it and built in shock mount I am under the Impresion that It may be the best handheld you could take into the studio.