NT55.

Hey John, please tell me why?

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Reads like its ideal for a variety of apps?

It's the bottom end price wise of what I find to be sonically acceptable. It offers a cardioid and an omni capsule and it's useful on a variety of things an not single application. It would not be my main mic pair based upon what I currently own, but would be a viable mid level mic that is definitely a step above the crap most (noob) people come here asking about.

I find the NT55s to be quite versatile for instrumental work and for drum overheads, but I can't use them for (clasical) vocal recording. There is trouble for vocals around 3 - 3.5KHz that EQ can reduce but not eliminate. It takes microphones of at least the next price bracket up to give really good results on (especially) female vocalists.

I have had a pair of NT2As almost since they first came out, and from time to time I try them on new things. Again, flexibility is a major feature. Some of my best solo acoustic guitar recordings have been done using the NT2As in M-S.

Yeah, the NT55 is a great workhorse. Has cardioid and omni capsules, HPF, pad. I've used it for acoustic instruments when I want SDC crispness. Great under snare and on HH. I used to use it for OH, but I've been using SM81s lately. One of the best mic values around.

I like the I-95 best because the I-80 & 90 suck. Oh the microphones?? Well....

Just remember, " 55 saves lives". I think that says it all? Oh but you guys didn't have that in Canada. It's hard to screw up the sound of a SDC. I guess if you can't afford a couple of 84's, just subtract 19 and you've got it! Sounds like it's on sale to me.

That's the best my math gats not including my English
Mx. Remy Ann David