This is a dynamic cardioid microphone. This is probably one the most, if not THE most, popular mic for both recording and live situations. It is a dynamic, so it doesn't have the best transient response and high frequency response, but even considering that it still sounds good on a lot of things. It is a cardioid mic, so sound from everywhere except right in front of it gets rejected, and this obviously comes in handy.

OVERALL OPINION

I have been using these since I started with music. They have been around for a long time and are still in wide use. They are very versatile and cheap to buy, so they are everywhere. Some common applications are guitar cabinets, drums, vocals, bass cabinets, and almost anything else. They have a presence peak which can help things be more clear and audible. There is also a roll off in the lower frequencies, which can help proximity effect and add to clarity. These things are like a rock, you could throw it at the wall and it would work fine. I have used a lot of other microphones. From beginners to seasoned pros, almost everyone uses these in some capacity. They are the go to mic for most people on guitar cabs and snare drums especially. They usually come with a soft case and a clip, so that cuts down on other costs too. If you have a very delicate instrument that you want to record, like a violin or maybe a soft female voice, this obviously is not a good choice. But for hard loud sources like drums and guitars, this will do the job and you don't have to worry about blowing out a capsule like on a condenser. For the price, it's hard to beat them. Many people own several of them. If you are looking for your first microphone, this is probably the one to get. I would definitely get it again, and probably will.