Are you sure your money is best spent on a mic and not a preamp at that price? Nothing against the 737, but for that budget there are things out there that would make it sound a bit like a toy.......

New 87's are WAY overpriced...I have an older one and its wonderful and I have a lot of experience with the 87ai and the 87i.

A Brauner Phantom is a very very good mic. Perhaps you should relate to us what you need to hear in order to need an upgrade of this sort.

Just from the list of gear, I'd bet on Hip-Hop and Rap..........

I would recommend a Shure SM57 for under $100. Then I would recommend a specialized Gold & titanium pop filter for under $2600. Then the sound will be spectacular into any preamp.

Always the practical one. Never the idiot.
MS Remy Ann David

If you have enough for a U87:

Try a TLM149, at $1400, you cant beat it.
The only downside (for some people) are cardioid only, no pad, no roll off.
But heck, its a vocal mic!!!!

That leaves you enough for an Audio Technica AT 5050 ($500), and a bag full of SM57s and 58s.

If you like Avalon pres, you might also consider adding the M5 to your arsenal for a different flavor.

TVPostSound wrote: Try a TLM149, at $1400, you cant beat it.

I'm curious to try this mic. Any words of wisdom you could provide on this TVPS??

Not rap or hip hop. Actually more Jazz and some theme soundtracks. I talked to a salesman today who suggested, Bock 151 and AU1676. Does this sound like a workable combination.

I like the brauner and wish I could get the better. I also like the Rode k2. So, here is what I am looking for in an upgrade. The Brauner is bright and very happy, the rode is a bit more bottomy and fuller. I need something that is more airy and fulller with a richness to its character. I hope this helps explain what I need in a mic. Any help is so very much appreciated. Than you.

I know it seems counter to the higher priced stuff already mentioned, but try a Blueberry. It has a nice bright tonality that's not etchy or edgy at all. If you like it, it would leave PLENTY of room in the budget for yet another mic, such as a Royer 121 or an AEA R84.

Haven't used one, but this morning I've been researching the new Avant CV 12, and I haven't read a scrap of bad press on it anywhere. It's a tube LDC, comes with 3 different tubes for different tonality, 9 polar patterns, discrete power supply, and it's only $499. I think I found my next mic.

I can't speak to that particular mic other than that I know it's a chinese made piece. However, I've had a few experiences with Avant Electronics (Avantone) and all have been exceedingly positive.

If you buy it, please let us know your thoughts and if possible, post some samples.

J.

Will do. The Avant site makes a point to mention that the tubes are NOT Chinese, encouraging.

Pearlman

Thank you everyone. I am going with a Pearlman. I talked with Dave Pearlman and was satisfied that this mic will serve me well for now.

I'm curious to try this mic. Any words of wisdom you could provide on this TVPS??

I meant TLM49

I demo'd it for a week, sold my TLM103, and just bought one!!!

Factors:
I record only spoken word (Narration/VO/Announcer).
I don't need a pad as there is no screaming (as long as I never record Shadoe Stevens again!!!).
I need no other pattern other than cardioid. In fact it's closer to a hyper!!

It has NO sibilance issues whatsoever, very sweet top end, nice tight midrange, round bottom, not as ballsy as a U87,
but I roll off everything under 80Hz, so it's a moot point!!

Next purchase will be the A-Designs Pacifica pre.

Oh, yeah, if you want to know the ridiculously low price I paid for it, you,ll need to PM me.
:lol:

My local Professional Audio Gear Retailer has one. They just got it and they're all droolin on it...(theres a studio there...)

Very similar description I got recently.............I have seen them go as low as 1200 used.........

I have seen them go as low as 1200 used

They can go lower new!!!

Hmmm...I'll be contacting you offline...

I replied to you offline!!