Hey all! I wanted to sort of piggyback a thread I made in the Rap forum.

I was looking for the current lineup of <$500 mics, particularly aiming for the super bright and clear vocals you hear on modern rap and pop records.

I’m coming back around to production after being MIA for about 10 years. I realized that the Stellar CM-6 is basically exactly what I was looking for.

I remember it sounding great on sound demos, having a nice tube sheen to it, and sounding head and shoulders above the entry level stuff, while still being affordable and budget friendly.

I’m basically looking to see if any mics/companies have filled the void that the Stellar CM-6 left behind. Are there any tube mics that have their quality? Actually it doesn’t necessarily have a tube mic. Just budget friendly mics that have that quality basically.

Miktek mk300 - is priced nicely - no tube - but imho has the qualities you are looking for.
I had a Stellar CM-6 and actually think the mk300 is a bit brighter.

Also the isk 2B beauty tube mic is similar quality and sound - but they are hard to find now too.
The 3U black is a bit less bright - but close and cheap - cardiod only.
The Cad trion 8000 tube mic is a similar sound - but not made as well.

In the dynamic microphones that I have tried - I think the heil pr22 and pr20 are bright and sound very good. The 22 is brighter with less lows than the pr20.

Good Luck!

You can still find used Stellar mics on Reverb here and there if you’re patient.

Advanced Audio 251 is probably in the ballpark. I think they used some of the same capsules.

Vanguard mics are really underrated too. I just picked up a used V4 II and it’s blowing me away so far.