FYI, the tone beast is solid state, no tubes.
 
@

Keeping the mic and now deciding on a pre amp. Warm audio WA12 is very much in my price range I started out at. Not at Sweetwater but that's OK. Also looking at the Summit I mentioned and the Warm TB.
I can not verbalize (is that a word) what I feel is missing but I do feel that I want to be able to "color" the vocals when I feel like it.
Thanks Guys

Lots of nice replies. You have $1K? Look at a Mojave MA200 before spending more money on a preamp. This mic is magical.
 
Paul

Mojave MA200-Funny you say that because I was just going to post this:
 
New KSM32, didn't hear much difference at all compared to my Studio Proj C1 (Had the C1 for 13 years.
 
KSM32 was $500. Will $1200 to $1500 get me a vocal mic that I actually will hear a nice difference. Loud powerful voice, Kind of Bob Seger meets Roy orbison I have been told-with a touch of Van Morrison. I am tired of this back and forth Want. I have been reading the big changes come with the Mic and not the pre.
So, $1,000  -  $1500.
 Thinking AKG, Lauten, Mohave. Lauten I can charge no interest at Sweetwater-but I do not have to use Sweetwater.
 
Sorry I am all over the place here-but it took much reading, listening and googling to get to this point. The mic is the change-Tube seems better suited for me

F.W.I.W..... I would go audition some mics before you send back the KSM32. Not to throw a monkey wrench in the works but have you tried an SM7B. The KSM32 is a good mic but it might not be right for you. If it was me I would keep it and use it on other sources but I wouldn't keep it for a " go to" mic if I wasn't happy with it on my voice. If you're SP1 pretty much covers the same territory as the KSM32, why not sent it back? I have a Peluso 2247 LE that is fantastic on many voices but it might not be right on yours. There is a cardioid only version of the AKG C414 that is reasonably priced if that flavor works for you. Just some food for thought. Have you seen this:http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://www.gearslutz.com/board/attachments/remote-possibilities-acoustic-music-location-recording/51996d1204437349-schoeps-mk4-verses-dpa-4011-mic-graph1.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.gearslutz.com/board/remote-possibilities-acoustic-music-location-recording/158294-schoeps-mk4-verses-dpa-4011-a-2.html&h=1200&w=1200&sz=185&tbnid=aM_YNR9yNKmaIM:&tbnh=92&tbnw=92&prev=/search%3Fq%3Dmic%2Bgraph%26tbm%3Disch%26tbo%3Du&zoom=1&q=mic+graph&usg=__dlDHiwK_QEDJPE_kC3wPdougB4U=&docid=gTwJlJYGgL2fEM&sa=X&ei=X372UduMCYrqyQGR3ICgDw&ved=0CDUQ9QEwAg&dur=2490 Good Luck in your persuit.
Rocky
 
 
Rocky

@Rocky
 
Thanks for the input. Thing is I have a little home studio and the only recoding I do are vocals (all mine) and guitars (all mine).
 
I have been sequencing bass and drums with a keyboard for 20+ years. I have tons I have done over the years and some done by friends and band mates of old.
So the mic is for my vocals, only, nothing else. I have an AxeFXII which is a killer for recording electric or acoustic guitar.
 
Something is missing for me-and I have narrowed it down (with lots of help) to the mic.  I sound confused because I am. I'd spend $1,000+ on a mic if I knew it would be what I want-
The vocal tracks are not strong or full enough and I have a very powerful voice-for better or for worse.

Do you have a decent space to record vocals? I.E. no reflective surfaces. If not, it may help to set up a dry area with moving blankets or some other absorbtion ( sp?) material.  F.w.i.w.... all the rage is large condensers but the Shure SM7 kills on Rock vocals for $350. You just need a pre with enough gain.

I have emailed Sweetwater asking for an RMA# to return the KSM32. No matter how I try, the difference between the Shure my 12 year old SP C1 is pretty much "none".
 
So I continue on with a lesson learned. I will be ordering a Wave WA12 or the Tone beast. That way I will already have a pre amp should I outgrow my vocal mic.
 
Really leaning towards the tone Beast
 
Thanks again folks

Strat,
 
the tone beast is fun.  W/ all the variables you should be find a tone to suit your taste.  It should make the mic "better."  If not, send IT back and get a even better mic.  It is a game of inches, but you should find the right chain.  And a good preamp is an integral part of the chain.  except for the Neve Portico channel w/ variable silk, the tone beast is one of the most flexible pieces of hardware I've run across.
 
@

Recent review in tape op::::
http://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/96/600800-large-diaphragm-condenser-mic/
 
http://www.monoprice.com/     amazing stuff for almost no money
 
Other reviews of monoprice thangs:
http://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/96/602700-602710-mic-clips/  mic clips
 
http://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/91/dj-style-pro-headphones-item-8323/     headphones
 
http://tapeop.com/reviews/gear/96/603410-music-mount-for-ipad/      ipad mount
 
And:::::::: very important articles about how impedance matching/mis-matching affects frequency response.
Taming the Shure (57)
Shure SM57 Impedance Modification
A simple gizmo makes a big difference
http://www.recordingmag.com/resources/resourceDetail/330.html
 
When Mikey Met Ohmy
The effect loading has on the sound of microphones...
By Paul J. Stamler
http://www.recordingmag.com/resources/resourceDetail/266.html