I'm looking at Dachman, Roswell, Lauten, Austrian, and 3U.

For my own purposes, I will be singing and playing acoustic guitar at the same time and recording with a single mic, single take. I am mostly concerned with vocal tone with enough distance to also pick up the guitar, but I may also mic the guitar with a dynamic. Folky style singing, male bari-tenor mix. Room - bedroom, carpeted, rockwool bass traps, but will do some recording in more live rooms with wood floors.

I appreciate all recommendations for this use case. This thread is also intended to be useful for different use cases within reason. Rap and screaming styles are obviously out of scope.

My top contenders are the Dachman DA 67, Roswell Mini K67x, Austrian OC18, and 3U Warbler.

I'm also wondering about the quality from the $500 range to the $1k-1.5 range.

Ma-300

The question tends to infer you’re starting your mic journeys.
So…

Why not start with one of the Neumann based/quality “inspired by’s”?
(Ala Beesneez/Heiserman/Signal Arts/UT/STAM/FLEA)
Or within Neumann itself?

Talking’ bout 47/67/87 based Models.
Rather than something more derivative.

FWIW just these three models account to be the biggest percentage of BILLIONS of Records actually sold/streamed.
(Drops U47)
LOL!
Chris
P.S. Since when is “under $1500” Low End?

EDIT: Got vocal clips?

Hey, so I've got some mics - AKG D5, sm57, AT2020, EV 635A/B (I think I may have bought this bc of you, great mic), Sen 906, and the XY mics on my Zoom H5.

I'm not sure what low end is anymore lol CoL and gear cost has increased so drastically over the last 5 years, but it seems like 600-1000 gets into some high-end mics.

I'm not going to spend 1500, probably more like 500-700, but I want a nice LDC to play with when it's quiet enough. I'd prefer something with vibe since I am not working with a hardware signal chain. Although a character pre and something more flat like a OC18 could fit my budget.

I'm using a Volt 476 and some UAD plugins. Currently set up with the Zoom H5 using the XY on the guitar and EV635 for vox.

Cool!
As you may know, sometimes your 635a is a fine Americana sorta Vibe.
Vocals/Acoustic Guitar/Drums.

To be Transparent…
I’m effectively a Beesneez endorsed Artist.
(Have their B67 MKI/87 Cardioid/Elly)
But…

Still have a high respect for a number of other Makes/Models.

Having said that Ben Sneesby/BZ designed his less costly “Studio Series” with lesser sounding Rooms in mind.
And reduced Proximity Effect.
(I have the Elly/47 FET style)

Although you could get a quality multi pattern 87 Style from BZ.
Then play with the Patterns
(Or Serrano/UT two other examples of well regarded makes)
Chris

$1500 is a great budget for a single mic. Chris has already given some great suggestions, and yeah, Beesneez seems to be doing great work at the moment! I certainly love my 3U Warbler but with this budget I'd be looking at something genuinely high end.

At the top of the heap: Gefell (M930/940 or MT/UMT70s), Austrian Audio (OC818 or OC18), Neumann (TLM107, TLM193), Sanken CU55

Alternatively: Audio-Technica (AT4050, AT4060), Shure (KSM32/42/44)

for $1500 I'd start with a Shure KSM44
...and then put the remaining ~$400 towards something fun and weird, like an Ear Trumpet Labs or a Cascade/Pinnacle FatHead.

Elly Studio here. First clip.
One take/No Tuning

2nd I’m screwing around with some Phrasing.
Feel over Accuracy
LOL!
On the B87.

I need to double check what mics Ben has been on sale. In the Classic Series.
(I know some of the Studio FETS are on sale)

EDIT: They have their C12 Tube and C12 FET versions on sale.
Chris

From what I've seen in the last few weeks, the new Nordic Audio NU-24K is right in that range and amazing looking and sounding. I don't really need any mics and I'm having trouble keeping the wallet shut on this.

I hadn't considered the beezneez, but they do look nice. The OC18 has been at the top of my list for the week. Hoping to get something by next week and have it sent to where my recording gear is and do some takes on hardwood flooring. I'll record some vocal, I'm just getting back into singing so I'm not too pleased with how I'm sounding but that's not going to stop me from spending some money. I want my pitchy vocals to be smooth, warm, and airy damn it.

Well, talk me into a beezneez. I know every reviewer on youtube is in it for free gear but that doesn't stop me from listening.

FWIW Ben totally “surprised me” with the (first BZ) the B67.
Don’t wanna bore the Regulars.
(Have posted overview before)
But happy to PM later.

After Chess Club!

I do really like the 635A on my voice, I think with the gain up and a couple feet back with a pop filter and UAD SSL channel strip plugin, it is more than enough mic for me. I wonder if I should get an RE20 and keep it in the family, then get a cheap pencil SDC for the guitar.

I just can't look at the KSM44, I don't know why. I know they sound great, but they remind me of an N64 or something. Oh, I know what it is:

LOL!
Do you have a local Dealer where you can try stuff out?

Olde Skool was Booking Time at a local studio.
Including trying out their typical 87.

More later…

“Pitchy”.
Hmm…

Start studying some of Michael Trimble’s YT videos…
And that could only help.

In his heyday MT could sing to thousands of people.
Over 130-160 Piece Orchestra.
With NO microphone.

Real deal Master Instructor.
Chris

Thanks for the rec, I do have a vocal coach I'm working with.

Gear and creating music are distinct hobbies for me.

Here's something totally not cool to consider: The Warm tube 47. I got mine a couple years back for just under $1K. I have several other LDC's and several dynamics that are good for vocals, including SM7, RE20, AT4047, AT4035 (people used to rave about this mic) M88, 441, U87ai, and others... including 635a's. For the work I do, it's often between the 87 and the Warm 47. 87 is maybe a little more aggressive...? 47 is a little mellower...? Often, the 47 is less sibilant.

Yes the 47 capsule is overall “flatter” response
Partly why Neumann put a “De-Emphasis” feature * on the K67 capsule sometimes
Chris
*AKG mostly copied this capsule on their 200/400 Series (I had a P200 for many years) A popular mod was to upgrade the Circuit accordingly.

The Vanguard V13 appears to be in budget, but unlisted.

It's certainly not a household name like many in the OP's list, but it may be worth a consideration. Particularly for his intended use.
I purchased one last winter and am still in the bonding process, but I have already decided that it will remain in my mic locker forever.

It suits my voice to a tee, and I would describe my voice range much like the OP describes his.

Most appealing to me is how this mic handles the top end of the spectrum. I have a few notoriously bright mics that, if boosted in that range, start to get a bit harsh. I find that I do not experience that on the V13.
It is the top end behavior that keeps this bonding process on the romantic side.

Best,
Frank

Lemme see if I can dig up a BZ 67 Practice clip.
(I just feel a little guilty putting up any mic that might be double what someone REALLY wants to $pend )
But it's a Lovely sounding microphone for sure!

Please keep in mind.
That not only are virtually every Clip I post at GS is a "One Take"/Autotune NOT allowed.
But also...

These are all easily over 95% a "work in progress"-Rather than a Vocal Showcase.
I leave that mostly for the Stage Over 4,000 Songs Live around Town/the 5 years before the Pandemic!!
Chris

Chris

Boring guy here. If I had $1,500 to spend on mics, and currently had a limited selection, I would take that money and buy a used pair of AKG c414 XLS