Let's talk Microphones under $300 Vocal only

okay I need another microphone.  Under $300.00.  Vocal only, not recording any instruments with it.
 
I have a AKG C1000S which is okay for vocals, I find it a bit thin or tinny when I try and record my voice.
 
I sing low baritone like - think Dave Gahan (Depeche Mode).  I don't or cannot hit a high note in tune to save my life, nor do I like to sing like that.
 
So I am looking at buying another or more microphones.
 
for rich deep or mid to low vocal range.
 
Shure SM58 - why not it's $99 and should cover me I would think.
Shure SM7B - I hear good things - might be more than $300 price range though.
Rode N1A ?
 
why are there SOO many MXL mics at the pawnshops?!
 
anybody have any recommendations or thoughts?  I looked through the forums but there is nothing recent.

I have a Saffire Pro 24 interface (not the DSP version).  so I have XLR connectors and the Saffire has decent preamps.
 
is a external preamp required even if I have the interface?  any recommendations on those?

ADK Hamburg
 
http://www.prostudioreviews.com/vienna-hamburg.htm
 

I just bought the AT 2020 and it was certainly inexpensive ( $100)  compared to most LDC mikes. Not top shelf but an big improvement over a SM 58 for sure. I can distort it if I scream at it in close proximity. But it certainly sounds open and transparent. I'm getting an excellent vocal these days with it and my Joe Meek threeQ pre amp.( $240)  
You can use your interfaces pre amps, most are fine, but I'm now sold on using dedicated hardware pre's for vocals. I made this big upgrade with those 2 items for about $350. Money well spent. 
 
I also have 1 Beta 58 which if you only owned one mike for studio and live would be a good pick. I use it mostly live but on certain clients it's a great sounding mike in the studio. 
Some people make to much noise around LDC mikes. You need good mike technique to use a LDC. 
SM58 are possibly the most dull sounding mike I've owned , I have 3 of them for doing live sound.  If I had the money they's all be Betas.  I also have 3 x SM 57's, all have wind socks permanently attached. I often use those for live vocals before I'll suffer a 58. 57's don't have a pop screen so a wind sock is required for vocals. 
 
MXL mikes are the worst I've ever owned,,, I was an idiot and bought one from a second hand store I thought I had a bargain at $50. It's worthless. I can't even sell it for $10 on buy and sell.... 
I am also very happy with my small collection of CAD mikes I'm scoring from Musicians Friend stupid deals. They are amazingly good. Not sure what the vocal mikes are like as mine are all small condensers. 
But check out the AT 2020 I think you'll be happy with it. And with the money you save check out the Joe Meek three Q.  The optical compressor is amazing for evening out a vocal track. And the EQ is top shelf stuff. It also makes a great bass pre amp. I can leave both my bass and the mike plugged in and toggle using a button. 

I have been wanting for ages to try a Shure beta 87A (Peter Gabriel's fav). They are about $250 and great for live also.

Another vote for ADK. LOVE my Hamburg and Vienna mics! Larry, the owner is a gem to work with. Always willing to go above and beyond for his customers.

The Oktavas are mid-range sounding mics.  Michael Joly of Oktavamod is always comparing them to a u-67.  Some people call them dark, and they don't capture an excess of high end energy, but take EQ well.  His modified 990 Hulk is what I'd be looking at, too.  Just over your price range.  And all his mods take you well over your stated price, and they do add clarity to the stock 319.  It sounds great.   If you are discounting price, the new Gefell  is nice.
 
http://www.gefell-m7.com/
 
As close as you can get to an new-old U-47 as you are going to get.
 
@

Lesser known brand, one of my favourite mics is a Studio Projects C1. No matter how many mics I get I always seem to go back to it because it just sounds so good with my voice.

What about Blue Microphones?  Like the Blue Bluebird or Blue Spark o baby bottle?  What about those encore mics that JRRSHOP is always hyping in there ads?

I looked into the AKG C214.  I have a AKG C1000S and kinda want to get away from AKG.
 
I want something else in the locker.

great advice.

I too have been thinking of a different mic, mic preamps, etc.  To get into recording, just a couple of years ago now, I bought a decent entry level condenser mic, an AT2020.  Last year I upgraded to a Quad-Capture from a Fast Track Pro interface.
 
I've recorded my vocal(s) in my untreated spare room studio, but I've never pushed the mic or experimented really to find the 'best' sound...until yesterday.
 
After watching some videos on mic techniques, asking questions about preamps and so on, I'm finding that singing into the mic from farther away and about 45 degrees off of center, no screen, combined with fine tuning parameters on the Quad-Capture's control panel is yielding the best tone, sound, nuances.  I'm a baritone too, with a fairly smooth style, if you will, and the off-axis position brings out more edge, grit, highs, maybe?  Singing harmonies might be best in front of the mic.
 
If you're set on a new mic, go for it!  But, I discovered that the mic I already own is just fine, for now:)
 
 
 
 
 

They're a little more than $300, but I've been using MD 421's on vocals for a while, they sound really good and you're not going to get much better for less than 2K. Personally I think they sound better than mics that are a lot more expensive.
 

I have two condenser mics in the under $300 category.  An Audio Technica AT2035 and an Audio Technica AT2050.  They are very similar except the 2050 can be switched to omini, cardioid or figure 8.
 
I've been using the AT2035 for over a year, for vocals.  I wanted a second and went with the 2050 since it has the switchable patterns. 
 
 

I have a large number of mics, all of which have been retired in favor of the CAD Equitek E100S... just exquisite, lowest noise of any mic, built right here in the USA...
 
I'm a singer.  love it.
sound on sound review:  http://www.soundonsound.c.../articles/cade100s.htm
 
Their conclusion:  
The E100S is a very different beast from its earlier namesake, but its ability to serve as a reliable all‑rounder makes it a must‑hear mic if you're thinking of a spending spree this Christmas. Its smooth but detailed sound character is quite ribbon‑like in some ways, and provides a perfect antidote for those who find the shrill brilliance of many modern capacitor mics too much in combination with squeaky‑clean digital recording systems. The E100S is a remarkably quiet mic, with a full-bodied and detailed sound and an ability to cope with silly sound levels. There's nothing in my mic collection that sounds quite like this, or is as universally useful as this mic. For that reason, this one is definitely staying here! .

Alternatives

Given the E100's remarkably low self‑noise, its integrated 'stealth' shockmount, and its detailed but smooth sound character, I'd struggle to think of anything that really compares, let alone compares at a similar price.