Audio-Technica AT4033A

This microphone is quite something. It's solidly built; the shock mount itself is one of the best ones I've ever seen, even considering those that cost you a few hundred euros. Same goes for the mic itself. The body is solidly built and there is no doubt that Audio Technica uses quality materials. Nothing is flimsy or feels cheap; this is a serious mic.
The design allows it to be very affordable, but still being able to deliver world class sound. Sonically this microphone sounds clean, present, full and expensive. It reacts well to microphone techniques and is very workable and responsive. The lack of switchable polar pattern is the only downside in terms of features, but then again this keeps the price down, and if that's what you want, go for their other models.
It is incredible how good this microphone sounds. Combined with a good preamp and a nice room, you'll be making high quality tracking in no time. The best thing about this microphone is that it is sonically so flexible; it doesn't 'doom' the sounds to be of a certain colour. I can colour and saturate things differently later which is a perfect solution for a small studio that can't afford a vast collection of microphones.
Great job Audio Technica, this isn't a classic for no reason.