Sennheiser:
Well, since you asked...
I usually (time and budget permitting) throw up a number of mic and preamp combinations to test on a particular vocalist, and let them make the final decision on what they hear. If it is a an instrumental album, i may do the same for the main solo instrument as well.
I don't own a 441, so i can't say if the results would change if I had one - but I do own some other nice dynamics, as well as a Royer 121 (ribbon), and a whole pile of different condenser mics, both tube and solid state.
With a couple of rare exceptions, vocalists inevitably seem to choose one of the large diaphragm condensers (usually one of the tube options). It would be an interesting experiment to see how many would switch their preferences to your 441 from, say, my L47. But it doesn't seem likely.
Given that you admit that the 441 is more or less the only mic you ever use on ANY source, it's hard not to take your inevitable recommendations (sousaphone? try a 441! nose flute? try a 441! classical soprano? try a 441! steinway? try TWO 441's!) with a humorous grain of salt. Not because I don't believe you that it's a great mic, but just because:
• most of us actually like having different colors and qualities to chose from when mic'ing different sound sources and different styles of music.
• if you don't have a collection of mics to compare, how can you really know if it is the "best" for a particular application?
No offense meant on this response... you seem to be a delightful guy. Just trying to give an honest answer to your question!
