Purchased this microphone after using one in a studio for vocals, drum overheads, piano and guitar acoustic and electric. With the right pre-amp this micprophone is pretty faultless and has been a workhorse microphone for vocals on major productions.
Rationale: that high-end LDCs are often far out of budget for independent artists with big ambitions and high creative standards. Having worked for decades with microphones from the big names in audio that come at 10 times the price of this mic, I have to say I am completly satisfied and impressed by this microphone. I got the bundle with shock-mount, pop filter, really nice security and protective hard-case, and paired it with an ART Tube MP, which gave it a bit of warm glow and gain.
I have since owning this been doing professional voice overs, music productions from my home where I would normally need to rent a studio with a U87, I can now produce high quality recordings and productions from home.
I've tried a lot of different mics on the market but keep returning to Rode gear because it is really consistent. This mic will soon be as ubiquitous as the SM57/58 in the kit of many musicians, producers, it is just hands down an all around great vocal and instrument mic.
Conclusion: Well built, well engineered excellent piece of gear, the lack of low cut or pad has never been a problem for this user as the mic has a dynamic range that can be attenuated on your pre-amp...
I've never had to mess around with EQ too much, it just sounds like, well my ear... !!? that's what a mic should sound like right ?