I have a few Avantone mics & they're impressive. Used by some pros.Keep in mind all these mics basically come from the same factory- but the quality control is what sets Avatone apart IMO
Many of these mics discussed may be too bright/shrill. Ribbon mics are a good choice for a armer altenative. If a vocalist likes to hold the mic, consider a sm7, chili peppers & Metallica use them on vox with great results...& I'm sure lots of great vocals used the sm57- which basically can be used on almost any source

No, 11R can't do a "tube" type preamp, but that may not be essential anyway. I would not use any of the 11R fx for vocals in a studio (but live it may be cool). Too many options for fx in the DAW

The NT-1 is really good for vocals/voice but you have to have a really quiet studio environment because it can pick up a lot of background noises (if you have a good room sound then it will at least capture that so that's cool). I had a lot of sibilance but EQ'd that out and was really good. I recorded some commercials with some people with the NT-1 (through the Digi 003) and was a great mic for that really. Have to get the proximity just right but it's good that it will pick up so well (or bad if you are not in a studio).

the more I look at this one the more I want it but I just don't know enouygh about mic's. has anyone had experience with this one? look at some of the specs it is quite interesting.

From Carvin sight.....
The CTM100 is perfect for recording both critical vocals and instruments. Achieve the warmest, fullest, smoothest sounding recordings ever. The dual diaphragm, multi-pattern design gives you 9 different settings to get the perfect sound every time! You will not need to EQ this mic - it sounds awesome right out of the box! The CTM100 features dual 1" gold sputtered 5 micron diaphragms in a special shock mounted capsule and a vacuum tube pre-amp, all suspended in a solid, handsome, machined casing. The included power supply assures constant voltage and current through a special gold plated 7-pin cable. The power supply also houses the control for your 9 different polar patterns including: omni, cardiod, figure-8, figure-6 and others. The shock-mount suspension virtually eliminates vibration and handling noise. If you want your recordings to sound as warm and full as your favorite artist, the CTM100 is the ultimate in classic sound reproduction!


OK now My mind is totally blown after spending hours looking at the site that I found this picture and now I just need to know which mike to mod [I do have the skill and equipment to do this as I have been a electronics hobbyist and worked for an electronic engineer during my rehab from neck surgery in 92'] I am leaning toward the MXL 990 mod kit. Mic $79 at GC, Mod Kit $199 = $179 for a mic worth $3600... not bad!!!

here is audio sample of this mic mod against a really high dollar mic...

ADVANCED MOD CAPSULE COMPARISONS
5 mics We tested an MXL 990 with our Advanced Mod Kit and a RK-47 capsule against:

a 2013 Neumann U87 Ai
a modded Oktava MK-219
an Adv. Mod 990 with RK7
an Adv. Mod 990 with RK-12

this is a link where a guy took the exact same mic as the ctm100 and used the mic mod kit on it mod with audio samples as well.

OK now if some of you guys that have good ears could check out the samples and let us all know whats up I would be very thankful.... and have some extra cash from not spending it on some high dollar mic