Electrovoice RE20 - Will it give me anything I don't already have?

[suedehead]

I've always wanted one since I saw Stevie Wonder using one live. I write and record my own stuff either to a Tascam 2488Neo or into an iMac via a MOTU Ultralite MK3 Hybrid and REAPER. I never need to mic amp's or cabs up as I use a PodXt Pro for guitar and bass and drums are done either with machines (TR-808 and TR-909, CR-78, R8 mkII) or a Yamaha RS7000. I have various mic's for my vocals; Neumann TLM103, Rode NT3, Samson C05, Shure SM57, Shure 55SH, AKG D880, AKG D330BT (supposedly the ABBA mic!?) and a rarish Yamaha MZ103. They always go in via a DBX 386 tube mic pre. I'm curious as to whether an RE20 would give me anything radically more different to the above? I don't live near anywhere that has one in to try and £400 is a lot of money to me for a dynamic mic! Anyone got any thoughts?

[Tomás Mulcahy]

That's a great pre amp you have there. And Roger Nichols was a big fan of those Yamaha dynamic mics, which makes me curious. Which of your mics do you prefer on your voice?

I really like the RE20, it gives a "big" vocal sound- they've tuned the proximity effect in the right way to enhance the authority of most voices, and it has very good rear and sides rejection, both of which make it popular for radio where rooms are often very small. One of the best cardioids out there. I often think it's a bit of a waste using it as a kick drum mic!

Try one out on approval? Your voice might like it. The price went up last year I think, prior to that they were fairly reasonable.

[suedehead]

Hi Tomás! I guess I like them all for different things! The TLM103 is really sensitive and will pick up soft, breathy vocals which I like to do, sort of George Michael syle soft and husky. The Samson C05 is a suprise favourite - very bright though, but I like bright! I use the 55SH a fair bit for rock songs and despite the fact that not many people "in the know" rate them, I like it for this application. They're all great really - I just fancy something with a bit of a different flava!

[Smellthevalve]

You might not have read this? http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul10/a ... almics.htm

[RegressiveRock]

I've always wanted one since I saw Stevie Wonder using one live. I write and record my own stuff either to a Tascam 2488Neo or into an iMac via a MOTU Ultralite MK3 Hybrid and REAPER. I never need to mic amp's or cabs up as I use a PodXt Pro for guitar and bass and drums are done either with machines (TR-808 and TR-909, CR-78, R8 mkII) or a Yamaha RS7000. I have various mic's for my vocals; Neumann TLM103, Rode NT3, Samson C05, Shure SM57, Shure 55SH, AKG D880, AKG D330BT (supposedly the ABBA mic!?) and a rarish Yamaha MZ103. They always go in via a DBX 386 tube mic pre. I'm curious as to whether an RE20 would give me anything radically more different to the above? I don't live near anywhere that has one in to try and £400 is a lot of money to me for a dynamic mic! Anyone got any thoughts?

Hire one. Bearing in mind the selection you have tried, I think you'll like it.

Reg

[Tomás Mulcahy]

Hi suedehead,
I've had good results with a Samson C03 in the past, very bright also, but useable- although it would not be my first preference. I much prefer the RE20, it's a much more natural sound.

You might not have read this? <a href="/sos/jul10/articles/vocalmics.htm" target="_blank">http://www.soundonsound.com/sos/jul10/a ... ics.htm</a>

Interesting stuff. I have the Lynn Fuston 3D audio mic CD, and in a blind test I picked the Audio Technica 4033 for the male and the female. It's a great mic. Most other condensers always sound like there's someone whispering along, they seem to emphasize the breath too much for my liking. Which is why I like the RE20. Just did a whole album with that as the vocal mic:
http://pollybarrett.bandcamp.com/album/mr-bookshop
Admittedly there's some eq...

[MarcusH]

I'm curious as to whether an RE20 would give me anything radically more different to the above? I don't live near anywhere that has one in to try and £400 is a lot of money to me for a dynamic mic! Anyone got any thoughts?

I've recently bought one, to widen the range of options. It's very good - but not for everything. They're much cheaper in the USA, about £270, so if you know anyone who's going…

[chew_rocket]

Thomman are currently doing the EV RE320 (same as the RE20 but an upgrade) at £250ish. Get it quick before it goes up in price again! I bought one a couple of days ago but it hasn't arrived yet so I cant give you a verdict. Many people swear by it though and at that price its a bit of a no brainer really.