Electro Voice RE-20

A brief discussion of the RE-20 microphone. The broadcaster's favorite and a great choice for the studio.

[JoeStuffzAlt]

The RE-20 is my favorite all-purpose mic. I like how my voice sounds with the RE-20 better than some studio mics. I have studio mics, but if I want air conditioning running, I get around the same sound with my voice with the RE-20. When there's room noise, the RE-20 has so many advantages. I rent my place, so nervous about putting up room treatment.

I tried a Shure SM7B. It turned out to not pick up as many of my voice's frequencies as the RE-20! I was thinking the SM7B would be better because it's a famous rock mic, and I do a lot of rock. Even without processing, the RE-20 was better for my voice (one thing said is that the RE-20 needs processing to work with the voice). Many people in so many communities prefer the SM7B, but probably that the SM7B looks cooler. The RE-20 looks like it belongs on a US Air Force Base.

Of course there's major cons with the RE-20. It's large and heavy. It also benefits from a preamp. Well, that's $99+ for a decent preamp (a mic processor might be a better investment), $60-150 for a mic arm that can hold it, etc (I have few issues with an SM58-like mic and a $20 arm). The weight also means that it's a good idea to have another mic for live gigs, but then again, you should have a backup mic anyways regardless of what mic you own.

[Ralipsi]

I'm searching deep on the web for a specs + audio test comparison between Electro voice RE20 and Shure SM7. I just can't find any!?!

[mantra]

Your studio looks extremely cool, Sir.

[ignqpck]

Um.... you can generally purchase a pl20 or re20 (same mic from EV) for about HALF of retail. And that's a price that has stayed relatively consistent for decades. Love the mic; I agree with you.

[StefanGenov]

I recently bought RE 20, which was made in Burnsville, Minnesota. Than I watched some reviews and found out that on the most of the microphone it is written Variable-D and dynamic cardioid and on my microphone there is nothing. I would like to know if there is any difference between the microphones with the writing and without. Is my microphone old or new made? I am not sure if there are going to be any difference with the sound quality of the microphone. Thank you very much for your time.

[javadparviz]

hell sir
first of all thanks for your helpfull video
i have bx14 mixer from Allen and heath company
i connected 2 microphone to the mixer
the at4040 mic from auio tehnica has vey good gain
but re20 has low gain
why re20 has low gain and should i have extra tools to connect to mixer for more gain

would please help me what should i do

thanks

[DanielOrtegoUSA]

I have the RE20 and I love it. Still, after a few months I wanted to try something different so I purchased the RE320. It was great but after a few weeks I switched back to my RE20. Next up will be the RE27 in hopes of finding that special something that requires less gain on my mic pre'. BTW, I agree this mic holds up very well in the market so if you find one that's less than retail, then it's a steal of a deal.

[guyking]

Hello, and thanks for the video. Can you tel me what are the studio speakers/monitors you're using that are shown in the video? Yamaha? And do you recommend them? I'm looking for monitors to connect to a Tascam 388. Thanks!

[jamesandersen]

I've been watching your videos, very nice. I currently use a Shure SM58 and to me it really sounds good  when I sing and some of the recordings I have made. However being a beginner there is not much I can say that holds any water because I lack the knowledge of knowing the differences between a bad mic and a good one. About 3 or 4 different stores like the Guitar Center when asked the question what would be  the best type of mic in my case. As discussed last night, I am a tenor singer, pretty much sing classical songs, ballads, Christian music, country music in the style of Vince Gill, etc etc. Right now I'm only working with tracks and accompaniments until I can become more familiar with the recording process. After discussing the style of my singing in every situation the first response from 5 different people with years of experience all recommended I purchase a Cardioid condenser Mic. I do understand the they pretty much all need to operate on 48v referred to as Phantom power . The equipment I have does allow for this. Its a little to hard to understand the technical aspects of the Mic but I really don't care to learn about why it does what it does, just that it does do that then that's  good enough for me. I've heard they get physically hot? Is this true?Everyone says even tho the Shure SM58 is exceptional you will notice a difference. So this being said I am in the market to purchase one but have no clue what to get. Just about all reviews for all different types are all 4.5 starts out of 5 so it seems all of them are decent. I don't understand the ones that look fancy with colors shock mounted, comes in a nice box and then its sells for only $59.00 bucks. How in the world does that compare to the one you have for the $450.00 you paid. If you can, would you be kind to recommend maybe 3 different ones ranging from $100 to 200.00. I was reading up on this BLUE Mic . I forgot the model number but its a bright orange color. Its seemed durable. I also looked at this Samson MT231. I like the shock mount thing and in my case its good to have that because its tight quarters where my equipment is.  Any ideas would be helpful and naturally i know its just an opinion on your part Your opinion hold more water then mine. I also subscribed to your site. thanks a bunch.

[saviogoncalves]

Did you connect the RE-20 directly to the mixer channel? If yes, the Phantom Power is on? No needs something like a Cloudfilter (preamp) between the mic and the mixer?

[RealistReviewer]

This mic needs allot of gain around 50-60, on the higher gains it picks up allot of breathing (even when 4-6 inches away) and background noise, it's hard to get the balance between it being loud enough and it not picking up too many noises.

[mixmkr]

Thanks Chris for the reply.  No, the RE-20 is not a USB mic.  You'll need an audio interface that connects via USB to your computer, if that is your preference for getting a mic into your computer....or any other suitable interface for that matter that can handle a mic.  I have not ever used mixcraft, but have been using Cakewalk Sonar for quite awhile now.  Their latest version X3 really suits my needs and is a great all around program and handles MIDI well too.  I've used Reaper, Adobe Audition, and a little bit of ProTools, but prefer Sonar over those choices.  Sonar has a "studio" version for about $99 that has a lot of bang for the buck.   That said, I use Sony Sound Forge for stereo editing and CD architect for making CDs and of course my video software that I use too.  Thanks again.

[seanchin]

Awesome vid! In this video, do you have any EQ applied? Or is this the Re20 sound out of the box? 

[VESANG]

I wish you did some singing on it to hear that part of it ...

[chrisjhonson]

Thanks for the vid! Just a few questions...firstly, is this mic a usb mic which you can plug directly in your computer? and also as a musician, i record myself using mixcraft, would you recommend any other softwares which are better?
Thanks!

[radialista]

COSTO MUITO DESSE MIC, ELETROVOICE, SHURE, NEUMANN, AKG AUSTRIACO, SAO MTO

[zockerimbett]

I bought a RE20 and discovered, that it didnt sound too different to my SM57.
I really have to search for the difference (More Bass, Less Highs) to say if it is the EV or not.
Mostly record amps and guitars and rarely voice.
Right now I think of returning it...

[onixz]

This sounds awful. You have no idea what you're doing.