Electrovoice RE20 Review: The BEST Broadcast Mic Ever?

The Electrovoice RE20 is a legendary microphone that has been a favourite in broadcast studios since the late 60s.

In this video I give my full review of this iconic mic as well as compare it to a range of modern microphones to see if it can compete with the new kids on the block.

[grampsradio]

I use the Electro-Voice (EV) RE20 black, mounted on the Electro-Voice Model 309A Shock mount, for my internet radio station voice tracks.🎙

[danceoneradio]

RE20 sounding the best so far. We all can hear that. Thanks for the presentation.

[itscarlosreally]

4:57

"Can you hear the fan behind me?"

Fan: I'M LITERALLY DEAD, JAMES.

[DieterKnittelsBar]

Getting the RE20 next month for my audio podcast

[whiztv]

Been in radio for years and have done voiceover work for years. Used the Shure SM7, EV RE20 (320 & 27), Sennheiser MD421 & MD441U, Neumann U87, various tube mics and even some shotgun mics over the years. The EV RE320 has always been my preference. The 27 is a neodymium with a shrill high (to accentuated). The 320 is more cost-effective and a ND, but being made in China has a reduced cost. I actually prefer the 320 over the 20 because it has a slightly crisper high (versus the 20), but not shrill like the 27. Though the Neumann is by FAR more expensive, I prefer the EV 320 (and 20) even over the Neumann. I have a deeper voice, and the EV RE series handle "working the mic" much better than the Shure.. and most certainly the Neumann. It allows you to "go close" without muddying the sound. On your demo, of the Shure, Neumann & EV, for me (hands down), the EV sounded much better! (Of course, choosing mics based on sound is like picking your favorite color... and HOW you use a mic and what you use it for makes a world of difference!)

[KennCrawford]

The RE20 sounds the best on your voice. I use the RE320 because it sounds great on my voice.
Great video. Thanks for sharing.

Just a thought... Not everyone has a soundbooth, so comparing the three mics together in the office and in the kitchen would give viewers a much better understanding of what to expect. The last mic sounds good in the booth but if someone purchased that and tried it (or any condenser) in an imperfect room, they're probably going to be disappointed with the results.

[BartlettTFD]

Really enjoyed your presentation👍 The new black version of the EV is a great addition to their lineup.

[FCTHETRUTH]

great video James!!! i might get the RE20 at some point!! i subbed ur channel too!

[broadcastbytes]

Could not justify the price as a hobbyist. Found a broken one in ebay for $70 repaired it replacing the foams and a bit of soldering replacing the xlr connection. Sounds so good. How good is that.

[byobemalenga]

The EV RE320 has always been my FAVORITE

[chanelgebangporjo]

This are amazing from podcast and live stream. Good job.

[MichaelW.]

I feel like, the Electrovoice RE27N/D would be more versatile, compared to the RE20 and SM7B. The Neumann U87 has disadvantages in terms of picking up background noise. Also, for broadcasting Applications, the Neumann TLM103 would make much more sense, as sound wise it’s pretty much the same (also sharing the same weaknesses to background noise) and just missing additional pickup patterns, that you don’t need for broadcast applications to begin with. So I’d rather go for - again - the RE27N/D. That is, if I have a matching room to place it in. Because with no treatment in the room to speak of, and - god forbid - possibly noise sources in the room, I’d rather search for a microphone with a super cardioid pickup pattern, so the amount of noise coming in off axis, would be reduced some more.

[Irshaad]

Isn't Variable D about not having an intense proximity effect. I don't think it's about background noise rejection.

[VincentOrtegaJr]

I think a lot of people are sleeping on shotgun mics, I have a MKE600 sennheiser shotgun condenser microphone, that sounds better than shure sm7b

You can go close to it for super deep radio and use it for shotgun mic and get it out of screen

I think people are sleeping on this I found it out in accident when getting the shotgun mic for pro green screen with no lapel

Then I used it close to mouth to test and was mind blown! It's so much better deeper and cleaner than even the shure

I use the roadcaster pro for the boost. Also have cloud lifter, just to be sure and was mind blown that everyone is sleeping on this.

[tubetone]

Big point I didn't hear clearly stated is that the "Variable D" technology greatly reduces the proximity effect not only off axis rejection.