hi simon, i use a kms 104. this would certainly be the choice for a male singer who is doing other things as well as chanting. apparently lionel richie uses this when at piano for the reasons you noted. the special one is for females, so i'm told! i find the kms 104 covers a good range ... but for my deeper jazzier singing i prefer a rode s1, which has a similar response range. it is not good for all but the deepest female vocals. the neumann is a better all-roundmic, however.