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.

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

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.

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

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

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...

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".

I'm an animation and foley recording engineer.

I'm an animation and foley recording engineer.

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.

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

Again, no complaints. It's pretty straight forward

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.

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

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.

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.

Recording Engineer, Active Musicians

Everything but rap

Crisp but very warm. Sometimes needs a high pass filter for best tone. I personally like this!

Travel case and shock mount

Solid look and feel. Nothing flimsy or unprofessional.

I don't think you can get a better all round vocal/instrument mic

I have not had to deal with support on this product

Unique lolli-pop design has intrigued everyone when I've used it.

Musican, Recording Engineer

Rock, Jazz, Big Band