Microphone buying advice.

I know this has been beaten to death, but I can't find the specific answer I am looking for.

I record mostly acoustic music. Lot's of bluegrass and folk, and now it seems I have picked up some Christian singers, from a true bass singer to a female with a somewhat operatic high voice.

I am planning on spending $1,000 - $1,500 for a new mic. Not interested in used unless it's from someone I know and trust.

Running it through an API mic pre.

So, I don't need a rock and roll mic, I have an AT 4047 and 4050 and an RE20 plus the normal collection of dynamics, four CAD LD mics and a CAD ribbon.

I need a mic that makes it to the next level as far as clarity and "air".

Give me your recommendations...please?

So are you recording an amp or the guitar itself? With or without effects on it as played?

Actually, I am looking for a vocal mic. I have enough good instrument mics already, and normally there are no amps involved, occasionally an LR Baggs Para DI on an upright bass or acoustic guitar with pickups, but again, my main goal is to get better vocals.

And there are no effects allowed in bluegrass, although I use a little plate reverb on acoustic instruments occasionally.

Phil, I have had a couple of recommendations for the Bock 195. The others are part of the big unknown.

And by "air and clarity" I most likely mean depth or a larger more open sound than I am getting with my current mics. Hard to describe.

I'm going to try to find a studio around here that has some of the mics in that price range and try them out.

Thanks..

Part of the issue is also the lack of reverb in bluegrass as a rule. Dry is the norm so the signal chain must provide the sound.

When I want vocals with air, I always reach for the Lawson L251. You can find other mics that are 251-type mics as well. I guess it has clarity, I don't know, it has a tube in it, so some people may feel that it doesn't have clarity, I dunno.

Thanks. There seems to be a pretty large selection in that particular price range. If I can find a studio with some of them perhaps listening to some samples will help get me closer.

I'll see what I can find on the Lawson.

Lawson are excellent mic's. So are Blue. If you have a local Guitar Center near you, try and check out a Blue BlueBerry, The Blue Bottle Rocket and the KIWI. KIWI is closer to 2K$ but it's got some impressive specs and tons of headroom, ideally suited for a huge vocal sound & range of applications. See if you can get yourself hooked up to a signal chain as close as your own, sometimes they'll have a Protools rig, setup so that you can plug into. You need to have as near as possible to a great signal chain to hear a great sound from a mic...

Thanks, I'll check the Blue mics. I also have had the Lawson recommended so there's another.

I don't use Pro Tools and I doubt they would have my particular signal chain, but I should be able to get an idea of what the mics sound like.

I appreciate everyone's suggestions.