My sound kit is at risk of getting out of hand, but still has a hole that needs filling.
I bought possibly the last (dynamic) mic for now, the Lewitt MTP 440 (not to be confused with the LCT 440, an entirely different beast).
The sE V7x which was my preference over the SM57 as an instrument mic, because rather than the aggressive presence boost, it has more bass depth with smoother highs (the sE V3 is actually closer to the 57). This is an instrumental specialist mic, poorly suited to vocals, although it is sometimes used here, but needs careful employment for that role (pop filters, handling noise).
The Lewitt MTP 440 can actually function better in the same space without extreme measures needing to be taken. It is also cheaper ($50au+), smaller, is matched in tone and relevance to its other instrumental partners my 040 Match pencil condenser pair and last but not least, fills the hole in my sound landscape (a versatile bass/guitar cabinet handler) every bit as well as the 7x and 57. This is actually the mic I needed first up to round out the 040’s, but the vocal side needed addressing first.
The little Lewitt 040 Match are often used with the MTP 440 in the Lewitt drum kits, so even they think it is a good idea.
The pair of sE’s are my general vocal specialists, the Prodipe TT1 a bit of a generalist/wild card and the Lewitts cover instruments. If anything more is to be added, the Prodipe M85 or Lewitt MTP 550 are in the “mix” (groan) for lighter, more transparent vocals, but I already have more mics than I will likely use or can run at once for little real difference. Maybe another 440 to balance the set or look at something completely different.
Some things with me just become obsessive rather than productive and I do suffer from self recognised “completists” syndrome.
If I could only use one type of mic, things would be tougher, but the MTP 550 Lewitt would be a good neutral and versatile choice as would the sE V7.
If only one brand was to be adopted, it would be Lewitt. Easy choice. The basic drum kit (2x 040 match, 340 Rex, MTP 440), LCT 440 Pure, DTP 250 and 550’s (basically the V3 and V7 equivalents). I could probably do the same with sE, except for the amazing 040’s. Hard to beat.
The big question still to be answered is whether the mics I have chosen will give me any real world differences through to a camera via the H5 or F1 Zooms. It may well be that a handfull of cheap TT1’s or sE V3’s would have been fine, but not being a sound engineer, I feel the front of house choices will be more decisive.
We will see.