M-Audio Solaris Multi-Pattern Condenser Microphone

Feature:
Excellent! Multi-pattern, roll off, pad, shock mount, a really nice hard case, it's very well stocked.

Quality:
Extremely well made. Sturdy with a good heft. Solid shockmount too.

Value:
I paid $400 for it retail and brand new. Even at that price point it's been a good bargain.

Desirability:
People can't help but give it an extra look before recording on it. Very modern with a touch of old-school. It's hard to keep people from trying o touch it. It just screams "Pro".

Sound:
Sometimes a little too warm, and depending on the preamp, can sound a little hollow, but it's one of my favorite sounding mics. Sounds really good on vocals, dialog, and instruments like the violin and acoustic guitar.

Ease of Use:
Just like any other mic, you do need to know it's strengths and weaknesses, but I've never needed more than some filtering or EQ to really get this mic shining.

Support:
I've had to deal with M-Audio support over their soundcards, but NEVER this mic. I can't say I'm a huge fan of their support though...

Overall:
More than lived up to my expectations, and has become one of my favorite work-horse mics over the last 2 years I've been using it.

Feature:
Festures are good. The mic feels solid and the shock mount is well made. No complaints.

Quality:
Mine started making noises after 90 days of very light studio use. Vocals only and always with a pop filter. AFTER it atarted making noises, I unscrewed the mic body and there are a couple of caps soldered in place as jumpers across the resistors (that is, not mounted to a circiut board) also there is a transformer on the circuit board with wires thinner than a human hair (no joke) soldered across to some resistors. This is as flimsy an arrangment as you can get, it is breakage just waiting to happen.

Value:
Really, it doesn't matter how cheap something is... if the sound is wimpy it's not a good value.

Desirability:
The capsule is a dead ringer for the $100 Sterling mic (except it's a dual capsule). The body retainng ring and other parts are exactly the same as the Sterling ST55. I would be willing to bet this is a GrooveTubes budget mic in a different case.

Sound:
I own just over a dozen large diaphram condenser of mics. AKG C414, AT-4033, Studio Projects C5, Rode NTK, Shure - pretty much the standard assortment for a project studio. That said, the Solaris is (by far) the dullest and thinnest sounding condenser I have ever used. In A\B test with everything, the Solaris always comes in sounding noticably thinner and wimpier (I don't know how else to say it) than every other mic in my studio.

Ease of Use:
Again, no complaints. It's pretty straight forward

Support:
I sent the mic back and the guys at M-Audio were pretty helpful over the phone.... but it took over two months to get my mic back it was all dinged up. To be honest, I really dont believe that the mic I got back was the one that I sent in.

Overall:
I can't recommend this mic. IF you're thinking about one, make sure that you compare it side by side with some others in the same range before you buy.