I bought this mic to use for a weekly radio program I broadcast, I couldn't afford the "Industry Standard" at the time, so after research, I decided on the UA SD-1. I can say for me, this was the best addition to my studio, I run it into a fethead and into my TASCAM Mixcast 4 (Also another zZounds purchase) and I am so happy with the mic. I moved across the country and the internet radio station I am on, has a great studio, but its 1400 miles away, they asked me to consider continuing my show after I moved, I said yes. I used a few other mics that were lesser quality when I started and I wasn't happy with the sound, I added the SD-1 and the difference was huge. I started receiving immediate compliments on how my home studio sounded much "better" quality than the stations main studio. and it wasn't just one compliment, they trickled in the first week and then the 2nd and 3rd and 4th weeks and they kept coming in saying, "Wow, your studio sounds so much nicer than the main studio for the station, what did you do? You sound way better now than you did there." I explained I bought a new mic that I felt was better suited for my voice. I don't have what I would consider a killer radio, MC, or announcer voice, I actually hate my voice, but the SD-1 a bit EQ, compression and it really made a huge difference in how I sounded and I found that it brought the best out of my voice. If you are on the fence, hop off, get this mic because it is a great mic for many uses besides just spoken word...… read more with the additional plug ins the value is tremendous. The SD-1 took ,my show from being just blah, to "hey, that sounds like a real professional studio and station." it can be used on instruments, drums, singing, etc. its not the same as the other big guy, but it is similar and the differences for me were better... and yes I had the industry standard at the home base studio 1400 miles away and I disliked it a great deal. the SD-1 as I mentioned, leveled up my sound and quality of broadcast, its been almost two years since I bought it and put it to work in my studio after that all my other mics Ive acquired are in my mic closet unused. zZounds Play as you Pay it made it within reach and comfortable. its a decision I will never regret. for me this mic is better than the "industry standard with that number between 6 and 8." It's a great looking mic, and I love that its easy to change the switches on it for the flat / low cut etc you don't need any tools, just move the switch. The color pops, I love the white in my studio. most of all I love the sound of this mic... buy it, I think you will like it

Musical Background:
DJ for 30 years (mobile. club, radio) Touring / gigging drummer 40 years, dabble with sound and bass guitar

Musical Style:
Many Styles - rock, country, pop, Red Dirt, Rat Pack, Top 40, Old School read less