sE Electronics - LA-320

Checkout the Lauten Audio LA-320, i use this mic in studio and have had a 414eb, and Neuman u87 to choose from and often times went with the 320. especially if it was a new artist i was recording just because it is such a smooth and usable workhorse.

Good pick with the SE 4400 — that’s probably the most balanced and versatile mic in your list. It’s detailed without being harsh, handles warmth well, and the multiple polar patterns give you flexibility for tone and room rejection. Plosives are manageable with a decent pop filter. The Z5600a II and LA-320 will give you that tube warmth you liked, but yeah, they’re more sensitive to room reflections — if your space isn’t treated, you’ll be fighting that. The Sontronics STC-3X is a solid all-rounder but not as refined as the SEs, and the Roswells are nice but lean brighter/cleaner rather than warm and weighty. So in practice: 4400 = safest, most flexible choice; tube mics = warmer but room-dependent; Roswell = more modern/bright flavor.

The vintage ones sound a lot better to me... But yeah. They're very versatile, but you will do just as well for that mic circuit type with a Lauten Audio, a Dachman Audio... Probably also a warm Audio... For much, much, much cheaper... And that's even if you're looking for the u87 sound... You might very much prefer a different voicing... It's a very useful mic.... I like having a transformer in the circuit... But if you don't need that or care about polar patterns.... The price of admittance goes down once again. There are so many good mid tier and affordable would have been high-end microphones in modern times..... Even after these tarrifs cause not price hikes.... The years of it seemingly costing thousands for really good mics are far behind us.