In their defense, if it is even a defense rather than a compliment to how amazing of a mic it is that it doesn't need an improvement, the black finish is BEAUTIFUL. The paint job is just stunning.
RE20 > SM7b. Change my mind. In all seriousness, love to see my baby get a re-review after all this time. While I also love my SM7b, the RE20 for me will always hold sentimental value for me seeing that it was my first and so far still my favorite dynamic vocal microphone.
For speech, I totally agree, especially for podcasts and streaming and other situations where the speaker won’t be staying the same proximity from the mic. Variable-D is amazing, and this should be the podcasting/streaming standard that the SM7B has somehow become. For music, the SM7B is more versatile and works in virtually any application, whereas the RE20 works best with the human voice and other midrange-y sources. That makes the SM7B my desert-island mic, but if I ever have the money I’ll own both 😋
Depends on your voice. If you have a rich lower mid with a bunch of weird bullshit up top, the SM7b is a lot better. That said, the RE20 has richer mids than most of its competitors, and sounds pretty great.
I agree, when it comes to look in particular no match. I personally own a rode procaster. Never loved the looks of the sm7b. Even the sound quality is not much better.
@@jkf9167 I have a bass-baritone voice, lots of strong lows. Would the SM7B be better for me or the RE20? I already got the SM7B, but perhaps will consider a switch.
The RE20 is a winner for me, mostly because the Shure mic doesn’t negate the proximity effect, so it sounds like the sound can easily be bouncing up and down by slightly leaning closer into the mic and not stay consistent like the RE20
Keeping us on our toes! Appreciate the extra bits of entertainment inserted into an otherwise serious evaluation - the style keeps this viewer engaged. Keep it up!
I purchased the RE-20 because after listening to many many reviews and comparisons, to me it demonstrated the closest sound to a U87 I could find in a dynamic (which I desired due to the excellent rejection). Your review and comparison reaffirms this. :)
Regarding the shock mount observation. When I first got this mic I had it mounted on a Rode boom arm, with no shock mount, attached to my desk using a clamp. Whenever I would start typing on my (cherry) mechanical keyboard I was SHOCKED by how loud the sound was. I was literally looking into buying a new keyboard because it was making it very hard to hear my voice if I needed to type while streaming. But, lucky for me, one day I accidentally like, I dunno, breathed on the boom arm? And noticed that any vibration that hit the boom arm went straight into the mic. So I bought the shock mount and suddenly the keys from my keyboard where in the audible range I was expecting (still there, but ASMR style, not HEY YOU LISTEN TO ME style). No problems at all! Moral: ohmygodgettheshockmountoryouwillhateyourlife but….love this mic, probably my favorite mic I’ve ever had, highly recommend.
Love these re reviews. Would really like to see one for the Samson Q2u. It's my go-to recommendation for most people who need an affordable mic, but I'm curious if there are other compelling options now.
Bandrew, I want to thank you for your dedication and detailed reviews on products like this. This video helped me on my mic exploration journey and I decided to grab this EV RE20 in that handsome matte charcoal. It's been over a year & I am super happy with it! Don't think I will need another mic for a long time, I have adopted the philosophy that you have said so many times that it's all about Quality over Quantity if you can afford it. Keep up the great work man.. I'm also loving all of the Clipcastage Clips sir...... Just thought I'd let ya know that I appreeeeeyahhhh! Take Care, KJP
Thank you so much for the support and the kind words. I’m thrilled the video helped you make the right choice so you can buy it once and buy it right and get on with the production of great sounding content. Keep it up KJP! Thanks again.
I became a radio DJ at a radio station in Hungary almost 20 years ago, where RE20 was in every studio. The owner spent a lot of time in America on rural, local radios, so he chose this one. Then when I switched to another radio station, there were Shure SM7Bs. I mean, everywhere, in every studio. The chief technical buddy studied his profession at urban American radios. This guy there called the RE20 fans loser with stick ears and fool. (Just like the owner of the previous radio called SM7B fans fool.) And that’s when I realized it's like an AMD-Intel, Canon-Nikon, Coca-Pepsi, Android-iOS, etc duel. But that was two decades ago. Today, is RE20 more common in a country radio and SM7B more common in an urban station? Is this still the case today in the U.S.?
@@Mediaright lol there definitely are trends even with mics. Shure sm7b has become ultra popular just because everyone copies each other. 95% of content creators use the mic such wrong way that it kills me
I just sold my RE20, in November. I ended up going back to the sm7b, i like the proximity effect of the shure, but i do miss the re20 now and then. Great re-review :)
I just bought my RE 20 and I run it through the RodeCaster Pro. I’m extremely impressed with its build and overall performance. Couldn’t be happier with my decision to buy it. Hint: look for package deals. I got the shock mount and a 20’ XLR cable for an extra $25 ($475 total)
re20 has served me well over 5 years. is still my favorite dynamic since then. prefer it much more than the sm7b as the mount is much more convenient, its sturdier, and has a more clear and pronounced profile. It also requires less gain which I find nice as I no longer needed a fethead
The SM7B gives you a full sound to work with but the RE20’s profile records how I would usually EQ a vocal. As the saying goes, record it properly and the mix takes care of itself.
You crack me up, brah. I am a RE20 fanboi, and your review offered no cure. Mine is snuggled in a Rycote InVision USM shock mount at the end of a O.C. White Co. Ultima mic arm, and I'm confident it'll stand up to your annoying tapping. Listening to the comparisons, I thought that the Earthworks ETHOS sounded like butter. If I could only have one and cost was not a factor, that's the one I'd pick. In fact I did pick it. Now I'm always conflicted about which gain knob to twist as I keep both cabled-up and plugged in. This is all your fault, Bandrew. I thank you all the time.
Damn. The RE20 sounds closer to a condenser, better detail, fuller, than an SM7B. You’re right about the great top end. Damn. I own the SM7B, not the RE20.
Another great review! When I do testing of the SM7B v RE20 in an untreated room with a radio playing in the adjacent room with the door closed the RE20 picks it up and the SM7B didn’t. And that was with CL on to add some gain for the SM7B. So that was kind of different than your experience of the background noise rejection you did. I luv these reviews!
Now I've reduced my body size from 6 foot 6 inches to100 nanometers so I can slip past the very firm metal mesh grill and stand in front of the capsule to show the proximity effect and this is how it sounds
The M201 is great. First, upon switching from the RE20 it appears kind of muffled but then I hear those warm smooth mids, so nice and pleasing! And the top end is still there. Also great form-factor. Guess it doesn't get the love it deserves just because of that utilitarian, 'non-broadcastey' look :) By the way, love these re-reviews of yours and your newer, upgraded testing protocol! Your channel just gets better and better constantly! Thank you Bandrew!
Nice video! I've had this for voice over work, and podcasting for about 5 years now. RE20 plus dbx286s (channel strip pre-amp) is a formidable combination to beat. Thank you Mr. Podcastage, keep putting out videos!
So glad I made this purchase 11 months ago. It started to crackle a bit and I thought it was the mic. I called ElectroVoice and they happily supplied the shipping label and I sent it to them and they found NOTHING wrong with it. While they had it in their possession I used the SM7B, but the same crackling sound was still present. So I called them and told them that, BUT, just in case they changed out EVERYTHING inside the mic and put in all brand new parts. Sent it back and haven't had any issues since. Even though I thoroughly tested everything to find out where that crackling noise was coming from, I was never able to locate the source. Amazingly, the crackling sound never came back. It must have left and now is in someone else's sound studio. This is a FANTASTIC mic and an GREAT company! I'm grateful to have it. To me better than the SM7B when it comes to voice over (spoken word).
I've used the (original) RE20 most of my life for kick drum, bass cabinets and almost everything, even vocals. I've not tried any of the latest versions but I'm a true believer in this mic, its never let me down. Also, almost every radio station and tv studios I've been in has had one right there in use.
the RE-20 in my opinion, sounds the most rounded of all the ones tested (also worth noting, you can make them sound a bit like the others by adjusting mid and highs on your console or computer) - but this RE-20 I really think, gives you a great base-line sound with the most natural flat response. Having this flat response is important in studio work because you get THE SOUND without coloration from the start and can work from there (if need be... personally I think it sounds great flat with no adjustments in highs, mid or lows in post processing). Thanks for the review, Podcastage man!!
I wanted a great mic made in the USA so I got this and the Heil PR40. Appreciate your anthem.I got my black RE20 a month ago.,love it ,even though it stretched my budget. Pretty sure I have a lisp but I use it off axis to be syllabent safe. No buyers remorse especially with a @podcastage thumbs up.What an unexpected treat.
I prefer the RE320 and the Rode Procaster over the Re20. The 20 just sounds dark and almost muddy. The 27 was so intensely bright, in a good way, but maybe not for broadcast. I learn from your reviews every single time.
I recently tested about 7 different Mics to see which one I wanted to upgrade to for podcasting. This was a super close second out of that lineup. The Ethos ended up being my first choice.
My favorite of them all was the ORIGINAL RE20, which sounds significantly brighter and clearer than the new one. I have a 1970's-vintage RE20 that I rescued from a trash can (it just needed new foam) and have used extensively. Mine sounds great on anything I put in front of it! 2nd choice would be the SM7b, which I use with a Cloudlifter.
I'm really lucky, as an amateur trombonist, to have purchased a RE20, and seeing it in use for so many years in studios, for so many different uses, but great for miking brass instruments !!!
Thank you so much for your review of the RE20. This RU-vid Post was GREAT. I subscribed and gave a thumbs up in the first two minutes or so of viewing it.
Compared to most of the comparison mics, the RE20 sounds like it's wearing an N95 mask. It's not muted in the highs or presence, it's the high _mids_ that are conspicuously absent (imho). To me it doesn't sound like a music mic _at all,_ it's broadcast/spoken word all the way.
Just bought the SM7B about a week ago and I freakin love it! I think it’s safe to say the RE20 and SM7B are the two best dynamic mics on the market today, and they both sound amazing. I’ll be honest though, I’m just a sucker for the warmth and body of the SM7B 😂
Thank you for doing this review and comparison again. I was hoping you'd compare the RE20 with the Audio Technica BP 40. I think that's a really good mic and is comparable to the RE 20. I own both and love both but am interested in your opinion and those of your subscribers
I think what's great about the RE20 ( coming from a mid lover ) is how well it takes EQ. It's easy to use a nice EQ and push those mids back up to punch through vs trying to scoop the mud out of the SM7B.
Exactly why the newer Re27 shines because of these complaints. They took a great kick drum design in the RE 20 mic and made a great vocal mic out of it with the RE 27. Listen to yourself on it and you’ll hear a difference. It has that mid range presence that you’re looking for without having to dork with external EQ.
I appreciate this video. For your voice, the RE20 is very good compliment. The Earthworks series are also impressive too, I'd say they're more neutral. The RE20 has defined tone that's pretty apparent and the RE20 is livelier than the SM7b. I've always found the SM7b requires a bit of finessing. I've been debating adding one to my roster for years now. It might be the day.
I love your songs dude... fantastic songwriter and musician.... and this is the first comparison review of an re-20 where I came away wanting one! well done... now I need a bank loan
Oh brother, I thought the RE320 would be similar enough. I thought wrong. The more I use the SM7B the more I love it. I'm so glad your last video inspired me to give it another try. My wonder is if you can put the RE20 farther back from your voice (physical distance) and get a richer sound than the SM7B (on balance)? Or are they the same. That's another thing I'd love to see added to your videos. What you believe is the optimum distance from each mic, or a range. 4 fingers for both? My questions pertain to using it on a desk for RU-vid narrations.
@@christopherjames3762 Thanks for input! If I start singing Electro-Voice would send someone to take the mic away and my wife would pay $100 for them to take me away with it ;)
My favorite video to date that you have produced. I am a long-time fan of the EV RE20 dynamic microphone. I own (4) RE20"s, (2) Sennheiser MD421"s, (2) MD441"s, Stedman ND90, and Shure SM57 to name some of my nest dynamic microphones. I also own a Neumann TLM103, AKG 414EB, EV RE2000, (2) Microtec Geffell"s (M7 capsules) and Rode Classic Tube microphone. The RE20 has held it"s.own over the years along with my TLM103 and AKG414. This was a very good video backing my same conclusion about the RE20 Thanks for taking.tome to produce this video. Oh by the way, I still a. desiring getting my hands on a Shure SM7B or two... LOL
Had the Sm7b, now torn between the RE20 and Rode Broadcaster. Leaning towards RE20 as it will sound better in more locations without having to be right up on the mic.
Good job subverting expectations 😂sadly the default mount is the weakest link in the package, though if you get the Electro voice shockmount it's big and metal enough to defend your studio with on its own. I managed to pick a used RE27N/D up and with the distinct addition of more top end it has become my favorite mic very very quickly. Just comparing my own SM7b to my RE27 - I prefer the RE27 for my voice, and for spoken word in general for many voices. The SM7b isn't diminished by this though, it's a wonderful mic that still has more than enough utility for voice or for many other recording needs. And - much like the Jacob Collier video - every mic is a paintbrush. Each voice and each recording may need a different pigment and any preferred mic has a place in the locker.
This comparison was exactly what I needed to get a feel for the differences… I definitely preferred the overall sound of the RE 20 to all of the microphones to be honest… I like the slightly less mid range, and it is by far least harsh with a high end, while still presenting a very nice sound… Greatly appreciate all of your hard work I am totally blind and not always easy to get around to the music store so this is a great alternative 18:26
I've just bought one with the ART VoiceChannel for my (amateur) radio station for use on short wave SSB. I went for the VoiceChannel primarily because it has a TOSLINK digital out. Really looking forward to it landing and seeing the results that I get :)
Hi, and appreciate your efforts! Great job! As always. Mostly I watch your comparisons repeatedly, more than once, to explore the differences. I suggest you to add beyerdynamic m99 to your collection "podcast mics". I believe it sounds so sweet. And of course it deserves a great comparison. Thanks. Best regards.
You did indeed subverted my expectation there (just like Rian Johnson 👀)! But, unlike Johnson's, your video was great!!! Thanks for this comparison (waited a long time for it)!
Wow the u87 and the re20 are actually the closest sounding. It sounds like you could put 1db shelf somewhere up top and a slight cut around 250hz to get it even closer.
EV RE20 just have more spark and life, like it show dynamics whereas I think the SM7B it a bit more dull and monotonous in it's tone which make it great for bedtime stories where you want someone to sleep. Btw what third party shock mount would work with the EV RE20 since the original one is a bit too pricey?
I personally love the looks of the ev mics and also the rode procaster (which I have). Don't know why most people prefer the looks of the Shure SM7b with its little tail dangling out, i mean the xlr connection looks unprofessional. Also the foam pop filter doesn't look as reliable since it is not protected by a hard mesh outside.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I find that opinion very interesting, but it's always great to get more opinions and thoughts on this stuff. Appreciate ya.
11 месяцев назад
You're welcome, also thank you for awesome and helpful videos, fun to watch :) If you have any excess money, buy and review a Neumann M49v mic :) Cheers!@@Podcastage
