I guess I'm in the middle. I think a project studio is built of cheap things that work, mid priced stuff that works better, and a few things that really are top of the line. You can only have so many of those. Here are my price point all-stars:
Dynamics:
< $100- Shure SM57, Sennheiser e835, AKG D770, AT Pro25 (close enough)
< $500- Shure SM7B, Sennheiser MD421/ e609, AKG D112, Audix D6
> $500- Sennheiser MD441, Electrovoice RE20
Small Diaphragm Condensers:
< $100- Behringer ECM8000, MXL603, Oktava MC012
< $200- Studio Projects C-4, Rode NT-5
< $500- AKG C451, Josephson C42
> $500- Earthworks SR77, Schoeps CM6
Large Diaphragm Condensers:
< $100- Studio Projects B-1, MXL V67, Oktava MK319
< $200- CAD M179, AKG C2000B (actually an SD), Rode NT1
< $500- B.L.U.E. Baby Bottle, Studio Projects C-1/C-3, Shure KSM32, AT4033/4040 (4033 is also an SD)
< $1000- Shure KSM44, B.L.U.E. Dragonfly, AKG C414 (any version), Soundelux U195
> $1000- Soundelux U99/ ifet7, B.L.U.E. Kiwi, Neumann U87
Tube mics:
< $500- Rode NTK, Studio Projects T3
< $1000- AT 4060
> $1000- Soundelux U195, Lawson L47 MKII, Brauner Valvet
While there are many more excellent mics in every price range, it is my contention that every mic listed above will be found to be good *for something*, and will be worth the price paid for it in the long run.-Richie
