$1500 versatile mic locker

[deniAudio]

Hey Guys,

I have saved up around $1500 and want to expand my mic locker. I am running pro tools with a liquid 56 interface and have an acoustically treated tracking room. I want to expand my drum locker to be able to record a variety of sources such as: Drums, guitar and bass cabs, acoustic guitar, upright bass, piano, horns, strings, etc. I will also be doing some mobile recording of small string ensembles so I would like to keep that in mind as well.

My current (and very weak) mic locker consists of:
-Golden Age Projects TC1
-Studio Projects C4 stereo pair
-Digital Reference CRX1
-SM57

I have had success with these mics on vocals, drum overheads, acoustic guitar, and guitar cabs.

Here are some of the mics I've been looking at (Most of the would be used ones):
-Cascade Fathead II w/Lundahl stereo pair
-EV RE20
-Shure SM 81 stereo pair
-Sennheiser MD421
-AKG C414 XLS
-Rode Nt2000
-Blue Dragonfly

I would appreciate any other suggestions or comments on the mics I'm already considering.

Thanks!

[sonic dogg]

Add a couple more 57's and that looks complete.

[deniAudio]

Which ones would you pick? I only have around $1500 and I wouldn't be able to afford all those mics

[JC Wolf]

The AKG C 414 XLS is excellent for vocals, acoustic guitar, upright bass, strings and horns IMHO. Pretty versatile is you ask me.

[deniAudio]

Originally Posted by JC Wolf

The AKG C 414 XLS is excellent for vocals, acoustic guitar, upright bass, strings and horns IMHO. Pretty versatile is you ask me.

Glad to hear you think so. The AKG was going to be my first purchase. What do you think about the stereo pair of SM81's or Fathead II's w/lundahl. I know they are two entirely different flavors of mics but I want a new pair to complement my C4's but I am not sure what to get.

Thanks again!