Most of my recording is live acoustic instruments and voices in various environments. It soon became obvious (about 20 years ago) that what I generally was after was mics that "transcribed" what was occurring in the space, with as little added "character" as possible.

My RODE NT-1 and NT-1A LDCs were OK as occasional "solo" spots, but needed "tamed" a good bit on the top end. A Joly-Mod K-47 NT-1 (with a redesigned and less-"spitty" headbasket) soon became my primary LDC "solo" spot. It was joined a decade ago by a used pair of Neumann TLM193 LDCs. They are generally used as solo spots or a LDC grand piano pair, and the RODE pair are usually on perc duty. Both the Joly and the 193s have a bit of "character" but, for the most part, it doesn't get in the way, and vocalists/soloists have been well pleased. More pricy than a RODE, to be sure... but not a bank-breaker.

I've also gone the "transcription" route in SDCs in my more regularly used pairs for choir, orchestra, and piano work...Gefell M296 omnis; Sennheiser MKH8040 and Line Audio CM3 cardioid/wide card; and, recently, Shure KSM141 switchable omni/card.

Maybe 193s might be another solution for you?

They work pretty well for me!

HB