With all this in mind, here we go.
Number 5: Rode NT1000 ($329.00)
With more features, this mic could be further
up the list, but then again, maybe one of its advantages is straight ahead, no nonsense circuitry which gives a smooth clean
tone. Mixable and tweakable with a pleasant sheen. This mic is versatile, despite its lack of pads and filters, because,
like most Rode mics, it works well on a variety of sources; Vocals, acoustic guitar, percussion, cabs, piano, you name it.,
it does it. In pairs these mics make formidable drum overheads as well, and an amazing 6dba self noise makes it a true audiophile
mic.
Number 4: Shure KSM27 ($329.00)
This mic is rugged and roadworthy, with tight engineering and manufacturing tolerances and a nice, clean, neutral sound,and you can massage it easily with positioning and EQ. The KSM27 is small enough to fit in tight spaces, has solid specs (14 dba self noise and 147 db spl with attenuation) and has a two way roll of and an 18db pad. If you like using LDC's on guitar cabs, this mic excels. In short, a great all around choice. Ultimately, while I believe the NT1000 sounds a bit better, the KSM27 has greater versatility due to the pads and roll offs, (see... features count for something), and the KSM is still a very good sounding mic. As a final thought, even though the KSM27 is less expensive than a KSM32, it is actually more akin to the KSM44 in sound and design. Like the KSM44, the KSM27 is a "true condenser" (externally polarized) wheras the KSM32, a great mic in its own right, is one of the few electret condensers still on the market
Number 3:
ADK A-51
This mics has two distinctions on this list:
1. It is the only Chinese manufactured mic on
this list, and, at least for now, ADK's are the only Chinese made mic I will buy.
2. It is the most affordable on this list,
so for another $200.00, you could buy a pair and still pay only $598.00. (In fact, if you look real hard, I'll bet you can buy
these for even less than that!)
