what kinda music and how does the vocal sound? Thick, deep, thin, high pitched, girl, boy?

mic

Well i am wanting to record other bands for a little cash, so it will be a variety, thats where i'm stuck. right now my budget is only allowing me to get one mic so i'm really worried about the best sound for the money

If money is an issue, I think you can't go wrong with a rode NT1 for $200
http://www.karynwhittemore.com

I'd think the 4040 would work for what your doing....

Might look into an SM7 also

Any of the mics mention will work fine for your budget... Yes they are all slightly different sounding but they all are good pieces ...

Studio projects B1 and C1 should also be considered ...

The best thing you can do is go to a music store and audition all of them then choose the one you like the most ... after all, you have to live with it .

The Shure KSM27 and AT 4040 are pretty close to being just as good as one another. If I had to only choose from those two, I'd likely get the AT 4040.

You may audition some high end dynamics....
last RE 16 I bought, I got it for $65.00...great deals also to be found on SM7B, RE15, etc...

Don't discount the ubiquitous SM57 either...many hit records known for their lead vocal qualities were recorded with the singer holding a 57 while standing in the control room...

Or you can try a 58. If you don't have great mic technique (and even if you do!) the 57 will pick up much pops and silibance. The screen in the 58 will help (same mic) if you have a couple of c notes, though, get a Sp C1 or a rode nt1, though. See if you can try them out first and see which one you like best...

I've had really good luck recently with a beta sm58, though the 4040 or ksm27 might be more attractive and inspiring to the people being recorded in your studio.

I use a beta87 on stage, and I love it. I just did a gig where they gave me a Beta 58, and that was a very nice mic as well. The sm58 is the standard. I've used it alot and it's passable, but it doesn't really approach the other 2, especilly the 87. In the studio I think I'd like to have a large diaphram condensor, especially since their so reasonably priced. I've got the AT4050 and the KSM44. There the more more upcale mikes in the lines your considering, but I think they might share some of the same characteristics of their little brothers. Generally Audio Technica seems to have more clarity , detail, mabey more prone to sibalance problems. Generally
Shure seems to be a meatier, warmer type of mic. I prefer the KSM44, but I wouldn't give up my 4050. The 4050 can be heard at
http://www.karynwhittemore.com via streaming or broadband. It might give you some kind of clue about the 4040.

NT1s for me

If your really on a budget you can get the samson co1 for $60. You'll be very suprised by how well it sounds for the price, and it's very versital as well.

Hey,

I recently tried the new K2 from Rode and thought it sounded great. Wasnt hard to get a good vox sound, check it out if ya can.

Sammyg