[thepaulthomas]

mcnews wrote:
i use the ****ty ART DSP, TSP, Tubepac and the Behringer T1953.
budget will not permit an upgrade at this juncture.

Sure it will. You've stated that you have up to $900 at your disposal
so you need to carefully consider the entire signal path, all the way
from the mic to your speakers. It won't do much good to spend a
disproportionate amount of money in just one particular category. You
might be better off spreading that $400-$900 across a few areas (better
speakers, better preamps, etc.). Do more research and ask more
questions in a variety or pro audio forums and be sure to accurately
describe all of the components in your signal path.

I suggest looking for a used Symetrix SX-202 preamp or any 1980's
model Yamaha mixer. Mic's worth considering include an older model
Sennheiser MD-421-U5 and, dare I say it, a used Peavey PVM-520. Either
of those preamps options along with one of those mic's will only set
you back about $350-$400 and will likely be a decent step up from your
current gear.