sE Electronics Z5600

I have been playing music about 22 years (drums,guitar,synths) and recording/producing about 10 years.
I use an Akai DPS24 recording system currently for my recording needs.
I also use computer based programs - Steinberg Cubase VST32 5.1, Samplitude 7, Tracks 24, Most Native Instruments stuff....Etc.
For monitoring I use Alesis M1 Actives and Edirol MD10D's.

Other condenser mics I own include:

Nady TCM 1150 Tube
Rode NT1A
Avlex AVS79

I am using a SE Electronics Z5600 tube condenser microphone for almost all vocals and acoustic guitars.

This mic is amazing sounding. Very crisp for a tube mic. I have used it primarily on male vocals (sits just right in the mix)and acoustic guitar (even from 5-6 feet away it picks up a beautiful sound. I had it in the room when our guitarist was warming up and it sounded great just sitting there) and I won't go back to any other mic at this point for either.
The mic allows for very quick changing of the supplied 12ax7 tube. A Chinese 12ax7 is stock and sounds very good right out of the box.

I tried a few other tubes and ultimately ended up keeping a JAN GE 6072A tube (same as some high end mics use...AKG C12, ADK tube, some Rodes,etc) Anyway, now it shines like there is no tomorrow.

The mic is a multi pattern variety offering cardoid, omni, figure eight, and combinations of the above.It has a Dedicated power supply on a nine pin cable. Very low self noise.

I am totally thrilled about this mic.

I know they just came out with the Z5600A model and it specs out better but I have not heard it yet. I may be getting one of those next.

Prices vary for this mic but at the $499 I paid it is an amazing buy. I have actually seen them cheper as well as a few hundred dollars more depending on the dealer.