Sennheiser MK4 & Electro-Voice RE20 Microphone Comparison

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  • Опубліковано 29 жов 2024

КОМЕНТАРІ • 35

  • @PurpleMusicProductions
    @PurpleMusicProductions Рік тому +1

    Man giving the singer examples is something NOBODY does but was sooo helpful!!! Thank you.

  • @tkarim
    @tkarim 9 місяців тому +2

    The MK4 sounds fantastic! Thank you for this wonderful review.

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  9 місяців тому +1

      Thanks. MK4 is my most used vocal microphone now.

    • @tkarim
      @tkarim 9 місяців тому

      It really sounds great, all around. The build is metal, right? Is the mesh grille solid, or does it have some give?

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  9 місяців тому

      @@tkarim Yes, great all round sound, similar to Neumann as designed by same team with some shared parts. Solid metal and heavy (kind of like a WW1 hand grenade) and the mesh has little to no give, very solid product indeed.

    • @tkarim
      @tkarim 9 місяців тому

      @@tecraven I’m one that appreciates “sound” build quality just as much as I do the performance aspect. Thanks again for your insight 🙏🏻

  • @thegreatsiberianitch
    @thegreatsiberianitch 2 роки тому +1

    Good video. I really appreciate the singer examples and the explanation of your reasoning behind the mic choices. Looking forward to watching more of your videos.

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  2 роки тому

      Thanks kindly! I haven't done a video for a little while now, but am working on a lengthy one, and several other shorter ones which will start to go up within the next month.

  • @larrycom
    @larrycom Рік тому +2

    Excellent mic and description. I have one as well. And I have the Antelope Discrete 4 as well. The MK4 is the best deal on the planet.

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  Рік тому +1

      Yes, MK4 is superb. I'd like to get a Neumann TLM 103 for my main vocal mic. It cost £950 but it is a noticeable upgrade from the MK4 for sure. The TLM 103 is basically Neumann U87ai but without all the patterns and, unlike the U87ai, it does not cost £2,500.

  • @Tewahedo
    @Tewahedo 2 роки тому

    Thank You! Which one would you pick between the Mk4 and the SE 4400a for audiobook/voiceover/podcasting?

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  2 роки тому +1

      Although I have these two mics I recently bought a Rode NT1A condenser mic package that includes the suspension shock mount and a Rode pop filter. I bought it from PMT in Cambridge for just £136 for the complete bundle. The NT1A is my new go-to mic for voice over and it's what I use for my UA-cam videos now. I like the NT1A as it has a slightly bright top end, which helps my voice a lot. There is little in it between the Rode NT1A and the Senny MK4, though I still use the Senny for singing.

  • @AR-bj5et
    @AR-bj5et 2 роки тому

    Interesting comparison, Nigel! I've heard a lot more around about the MK 4 than the MK 8, how do they compare tonally do you know? Are they fairly different mics overall or does the extra money only really get you the pickup pattern flexibility? Cheers.

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  2 роки тому +2

      I’ve never used the MK8, but looking at it online it looks like you just have extra polar patterns. Personally, I’m not a fan of multi pattern microphones.

  • @ductrung3993
    @ductrung3993 2 роки тому

    Thanks for the knowledgeable and uncommercial review, Nigel. Its a cliche one, but where would you put the SM7B along this spectrum?

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  2 роки тому

      I hate the Sure SM7b. The original SM7 was a crap mic and so is the newer SM7b. Yes, you're right, that mic is a cliche. Everybody uses that stupid gain-hungry mic because of Micheal Jackson and, for some reason unbeknown to me, every podcaster and UA-cam seems to like it too. For me, the SM7b is just too damn dark with absolutely no top end at all so there is bugger all 'sparkle' to it and it just sounds muddy as hell to me. Again, most people buy it just because everybody else does. Emperors new cloths ;) The RE20 has similar 'dark' characteristics to the SM7b, but at least the RE20 has high end frequencies, just dark ones. The MK4 that I use most of the time has something of a Neumann U87 quality when you get up close to it so you can get a dark sound out of the Senny if you get up close, but 4 or 5 inches away gives you sparkle without too much booming bass, which you'd want for voice over stuff and podcasting. I guess mics are a personal choice though and some mics will work better with your voice than others.

    • @ductrung3993
      @ductrung3993 2 роки тому

      @@tecraven thanks for your input. The Mk4 is still my goal but maybe for later, as i just saw a very good deal on the Procaster. So that + Motu M2 or Audient Evo 4 for a budget setup first and upgrade later is my plan

  • @awardproductions8620
    @awardproductions8620 2 роки тому

    Random question, but what mic stand are you using with the MK4. Mine is old and has just given up on me. Thanks

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  2 роки тому

      Hercules MS531B mic stand: herculesstands.com/international/

  • @felipecastro5752
    @felipecastro5752 3 роки тому

    Hi, Sir.
    Can you recommend MK4 for Interview and podcast?.
    Thanks for attention.
    Greeting from Brazil.

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  3 роки тому +2

      Hi Felipe. Absolutely. The MK4 is way better than the Samson G-Track Pro (which I also reviewed here) and I personally think it is better for interviews and podcasts than the Electro-Voice as the latter is a little too dark for my personal taste for podcast and interviews. I prefer the sparkle that the MK4 has, it just covers the entire vocal range a little better for interviews and podcasts.

    • @felipecastro5752
      @felipecastro5752 3 роки тому

      @@tecraven Thanks for the greatest Help in My project Mister.
      I am.new subscriber by kindness.
      Lord bless United Kingdom.

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  3 роки тому

      @@felipecastro5752 Thank you, Felipe.

  • @EnglishEloquenceMoscow
    @EnglishEloquenceMoscow 2 роки тому

    I'm choosing between this and the TLM 103. I know each mic is picked for a voice, still. Which one? Much thanks. I own Aston Origin and the Spirit. Your video production and presentation are top notch! Keep up the great work you've been doing.

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  2 роки тому +1

      The Neumann TLM 103 is a superb mic, but it's been a while since I had use of one for a week. I know I'm super impressed with the MK4 Senny so I'd suggest, if at all possible, to try them both in your own setting. A decent local music shop should be happy to sell you both and let you return the one you don't want. I think you'll be surprised at how small a gap there is between these two mics, but definitely see if you can try them both out in your own studio before deciding. I've often found that many UA-cam videos make a convincing job for any given product only for me to get one and try it and be disappointed. I thought this when I got a Neumann U87ai, but after getting it I failed to hear what all the fuss what about. Yes, the U87ai is a stunning mic, but there are mics that are just as stunning for half the price and even Aston have proved that superb mics don't have to cost the earth.
      The TLM 103 is basically a U87ai, only with the single polar pattern so if you go for the 103 you'll have a mic for life, but the MK4 is a mic for life also, just a slightly different flavour, but do try them both. I was going to get a 103 for my main voice-over mic for UA-cam tutorials, but went for a Rode NT1-A instead. Don't get me wrong, the NT1-A does not have the flavour of the 103 and the Rode is a bit bright and sparkly at the top end, but I go through a couple of antelope Audio plugins (de-esser and a compressor and an EQ) during the recording stage so this sorts out the sparkly top end of the Rode and makes it sound more Neumann-like anyway. It's worth remembering that your vocal work will undergo some sort of EQ and post FX anyway so these 'tiny' differences won't really be noticeable anyway and they will certainly be impossible to tell apart int he final master.
      On a final note, if you want to hear whatever mic you go for at its best get a part of Beyerdynamic DT1770 Pro headphones, or if you don't want closed back, the Beyerdynamic DT 990 Pro cans are about the best I've ever heard and I've tried tons of the things.

    • @EnglishEloquenceMoscow
      @EnglishEloquenceMoscow 2 роки тому

      ​@@tecraven I mean wow. I did expect a reply, but not even close to a thorough one like the one you've kindly provided. I do do realize that I'm biased towards the TLM 103 because of the name. The popularity of it has almost sold it to me. I do agree that many youtubers make a convicting job for the product they are advertising, you're absolutely correct. Your experience with the U87ai got me thinking. I heard myself in a controlled environment and I sounded better on the Origin than the TLM 67. I was shocked. I really liked my voice on the TLM 102 I have to admit.
      Rode NT1-A is a great little beast indeed! I see what you're saying as far as EQ and FX goes. I am not a musician myself. But I do speak into a mic for a living. My logic is like this: a cell phone is something that we can't do without these days. So what about a mic? Same thing! So I am giving myself reasons to buy another toy. Well, I am a man and the man demands his toys, never too many =)
      I will test the 103, the MK4 vs. all the other mics that I have. I might end up not buying anything at all. I also have two Worker Bees. Very cool mics, too bad I couldn't get my hands on the original King Bee. I've put both cans on the list. Thank you. Right now I'm using Sony MDR - 7506 - had them even before getting into this whole mic thing. I am very excited about being able to own a device that can capture my voice. This may sound silly, but that's how I feel about it.
      Much thanks for your reply, sir. You've put your heart into it and I appreciate that. Respect from Mother Russia, Moscow. -Sergey

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  2 роки тому

      @@EnglishEloquenceMoscow Hi Sergey
      No problem at all. I can understand your bias towards the Neumann TLM 103 because of the Neumann name, I’m guilty of that also. No doubt it is a superb mic.
      Yes, some UA-camrs say great things about certain products due to the fact that they were given them free of charge. Others say great things simply because everybody else does (Shure SM7b for example, which I don’t rate at all).
      When you say you like your voice on the TLM 102, that should be your judgment - especially when listening through cans such as the Beyerdynamic models I mentioned. The DT 770 Pro, being closed-back, do have a trifle more bass then the DT 990 Pro (which are open-back). If you go with DT 770 Pro I’d get the 80 ohm ones for best performance in a home studio when plugged into an audio interface or similar. I’m sure you are aware that closed back are the way to go to stop audio leaking out of them and getting picked up by the mic near your face.
      When you say you speak into mic for a living, what do you do? Do you use any sort of processing such as a decent compressor to level out your vocals, or EQ for example? If not, you definitely should for a more professional studio/radio DJ sort of sound.
      Regarding ‘toys for the boys’. Why the hell not, what else is there in life? Vodka only gets you so far during the winter months ;)
      With the MK4 (or TLM) don’t forget to use different ‘mic techniques’ when trying them out i.e. speaking 8 inches away, 5 inches and right on top of it to hear the ‘proximity effect’ of the mic. The closer in you get with the MK4 the more bass and the more it sounds like a Neumann U87ai, but not too close. I find with the mouth 2 inches away with the mic angled towards the corner of the mount to avoid plosives gives a warm dark Neumann studio sound with the Senny MK4.
      Companies like Antelope Audio (and Aston, I think) do ‘modelling’ software, but it’s worth remembering that you can still use modelling to sculpt the sound you want with any mic you happen to own. Or simply use a few decent plugins such as compressor, EQ and even a tape emulator will really give your vocals a lovely rich spoken sound.
      Another tip, I usually hate de-essers as they simply cut too many other important frequencies out of your voice, especially the upper frequencies. Instead, I prefer to use a piece of software called Melodyne, made by Celemony. It’s amazing and it’s much better for removing sibilance naturally, whereas a de-esser plugin just yanks everything in the same frequency range out of it. Professional studios either use Melodyne or they will manually chop out all the sibilance (S parts of the word for example) and drag those all onto a separate audio track and just reduce the volume of that track alone by a certain percentage, 50 per cent for example.
      I know I mentioned that I use an Antelope Audio de-esser, but that’s just for UA-cam videos where I don’t consider this to be critical, but on a song that I’d compose and upload onto Spotify I use Melodyne to deal with it, or manually chop the sibilance out of the track and reduce the volume.
      I’ve never tried the Workerbee mics so can’t comment on those.
      Sony MDR-7506 are supposed to be pretty decent closed back headphones, but it’s been a while since I used a pair.
      There is a UA-camr called Bandrew who has a channel called Podcastage. He’s based in the USA, but really knows his stuff regarding microphones and headphones. If you havn’t already, check him out at ua-cam.com/users/Podcastage as I’m sure he’s reviewed the mics you talk about.
      Another decent channel is PresentDayProduction - ua-cam.com/users/PresentDayProduction - who are based 40 miles down the road from me in Cambridgeshire, UK. They are top drawer people who really know their stuff. Check them out too. Don’t subscribe to too many channels though as there are a lot of self-proclaimed so-called experts on UA-cam who don’t really know what they are talking about. They have a little knowledge, but it does not go that deep and as we say in England, ‘A little knowledge is a dangerous thing’. I’ve seen so many UA-cam videos where so-called experts are getting it wrong and talking absolute twaddle (crap). But Bandrew from Podcastage and Mark and James (the spiky haired chap) from PresentDayProductions really know their stuff so you can’t go wrong watching their stuff and taking their advice on board.
      Final guy on here I’d recommend is Julian Krause (he’s in Germany) ua-cam.com/users/JulianKrause who specialises in audio interfaces and other recording devices. He’s technical and scientific in his reviews, but accurate and like PresentDay and Podcastage (and myself) totally honest. If something is crap they will say so, and if it’s amazing, they will shout it from the rooftops also.

    • @EnglishEloquenceMoscow
      @EnglishEloquenceMoscow 2 роки тому

      @@tecraven Nigel, good to hear from you again! Thanks a ton for all the wisdom you've provided. I've copy-pasted this into my MS Word document so that I can come back to it.
      Shure SM7b? Never liked it either. I don't understand what the whole fuss is all about. No top end, muddy, etc. I would go for the RE20 had I needed a dynamic mic.
      Gotcha as far as headphones! Will do.
      I teach English for a living. What I'm planning to do is to get into VO or something like that. I don't have a booth (building one this summer) and I am working on my technique which is the most crucial thing. Equipment comes second. I know. All the mics that I have I bought because I simply could afford to do so. No regrets whatsoever!
      Before I get into VO, I am planning to put out an e-product where I need to sound nice and crisp. I do compress my tracks. Never used any sort of EQ, but will definitely learn how to do that. My space is not treated. That's something I should have let you known in my very 1st message, my apologies for not having done that, Nigel.
      I had no clue that with Antelope Audio I could sculp my sound the way I want it even if I don't own one of their mics! Thanks for this little nugget of info, good to know.
      Twaddle is a new word for me, thanks man. I've been watching Gordon Ramsay and the insults that he uses are absolutely brilliant! I have to google them every time, which is absolute joy!
      I've been watching all the guys you had mentioned Nigel. Fantastic youtubers, great people. BoothJunkie has also been one of my favorites. What a humble man, I love his videos!
      Again, thank you for all the free help that you've kindly provided. It does not happen to me every day. I will work on my technique. I will build my booth. I will learn the ins and outs of the software. Then...the toys come in. Not the other way around.
      I was not able to address all the point that you had mentioned (due to my very limited knowledge), but I've read what you had written 3 times in a row and saved the text in a file. Just wanted to let you know. No vodka for me this year man! Have had too much fun with it, time to move one to accomplish something great. When I get a chance to talk to somebody like you, I light up. Life makes sense, you know what I mean?
      I am using RME Babyface Pro. If you are familiar with this interface, what hardware would you suggest I pair with it? Like BDX/Long/Whatever to make my voice sound "better"? The people I've talked to said to me "don't bother, use software". It feels that you're also a fan of software, but I just want to make sure. -Sergey

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  2 роки тому +1

      @@EnglishEloquenceMoscow Sergey
      Yup, SM7b is muddy, some people interpret this as ‘dark’ but there is dark and then their is muddy ;)
      When building a booth don’t overdo it. Some people treat rooms and booths 100 per cent and it sucks ‘all’ the natural room tone out and you end up with a sound that is too much the other way: too dead, too dry. I aim for about 60 per cent coverage just enough to deaden the major reflections and reverberations but not to kill the room dead entirely as it can be hard to bring a vocal to life that was recorded in a totally dead environment.
      I was just talking about using Antelope’s plugins for sculpting sound, but they do also make software for their modelling mics.
      I’d pick a decent EQ plugin, such as the FavFilter Pro-Q. It’s 149 Euros, but an industry standard: www.fabfilter.com/shop/pro-q-3-equalizer-plug-in there are some decent UA-cam videos on this and I would definitely look at this to model/sculpt your VO work for sure. Also look at getting a compressor plugin also. The Pro-Q and a Compressor plugin are a must for what you do. Two plugins like these with the MK4 will be way better than a TLM with no postproduction work and no plugins. Every hit record you hear on the radio has had the vocal track pushed through a compressor, EQ, and others like reverb, tape emulation, Melodyne and more.
      Also, learn about good microphone techniques and when I say that I mean mouth positioning, aiming mic to the corner of your mouth and speaking across it at a slight angle, distance away from the mic and things like moving your mouth to the side slightly when speaking words beginning with S and P to prevent plosives and sibilance and pulling head back slightly for more punctuated words, these things are mic techniques and professional vocalists and VO artists use them a lot. It’s always better to use good mic/vocal techniques to get the best VO recording so you have less fixing to do in post.
      You equipment will end up being a combination of three things: your voice and vocal technique with mic techniques, hardware and software.
      Yes, I know the RME Babyface Pro. Not seen or used one, but heard good things. When you say BDX/Long? What do you mean?

  • @HarvinderSingh-yy8th
    @HarvinderSingh-yy8th Рік тому

    NT1 is best budget microphone. MK 4 has U87 AI like characteristics.

    • @tecraven
      @tecraven  Рік тому

      Agreed with NT1. I have an NT1a as I like the boosted upper frequencies for my vocals for voice over.