Howdy everyone! If you came here looking for a comparison on these two mics, these affiliate links help me out a bunch :) thanks friends! SM7B: amzn.to/3lL4REV NT1: amzn.to/2NUoBJK
Im using both dynamic which is the Shure sm58 and condenser is at2020v . I love them in different way. If my room is untreated, i use dynamic. Condenser is more sensitive and could pick up more lows and highs… in a good way..that makes it more realistic sounding… it depends on my needs. So i have both. I use it in my Yamaha ag06 interface
I was keeping a blind eye on dynamic microphones before watching your video. Definitely going with the sm57 (I've tried condensers but my voice sounds too harsh on them)
I don’t retain any important info like this so I will definitely be back to watch it over and over again until I fully understand. WITH THAT SAID, this video was awesome! made it seem relatively easy to comprehend the difference between the two. thanks for making this :)
Really late to the party, but I think the word you were looking for in describing a condenser's quality is - DETAIL - (essentially another way of describing it's sensitivity - more sensitivity should correlate to greater detail captured in the sound) Nice one, great video :)
Having inherited a few mics, here's my take on them: Shure Sm53 and 58: very similar sounding. Warmer and work better with my lower voice. The 58 has a tiny bit more of a hollow sound in the mids and less high extension. The 53 is best vocal mic for me. Jana small condenser: Noisier but also louder, more top end than either dynamic. More detailed and more treble, like a blanket was taken off the dynamics. I like it, but it doesn't work as well with my voice. Astatic 200 Crystal Mic: All mids. Distortion on loud sounds. Apparently a favorite for harmonica because it gives a gritty electric guitar tone. Sounds like a really clean 78 shellac record.
Well, there are some dynamic mics that nearly reach the richness of detail of the condensers. As a long time Beyerdynamic user I would recommend the M201 for mid and high range signals and the M88 for low range. Great mics. And whenever you come across a TG-X80 or 81 - take it. It´s a great dynamic vocal mic. But caution: if you use the proximity effect too intensely you could cause an earth quake.
@@AudioHaze My little love affar with Beyer began with the TG-X81 by the way. One day I took 5 mics from a store to my studio and compared them with my SM58. Gosh, they all were better but the TG-X put it to real shame. The 58 sounded like a pre WW2 radio in comparison. I still don´t get it that Shure is so successful with these prehistoric mics. I mean, people are crazy. Guitar players - for example - say that they need their 57 to get "their" sound. So they are not able produce a decent sound with guitar and amp only? For example at a small club gig or during rehearsals? Wouldn´t it be better to produce a great sound in first place and then to take a neutral mic? But ok, it´s an image thing I guess.
Will the audio quality on a dynamic mic such as the SM7b get worse if we dont use a cloudlifter and just use a limiter and a compressor to bring up the gain? Im using an interface that can go upto 50db of gain (Presonus Studio 24c). P.S. Amazing video! You do an excellent job at explaining this stuff. Subbed.
Thanks so much for the sub dude! And to answer your question, it definitely won't effect audio quality, just got to mess with it a bit in post, I have a whole video on it check it out :) ua-cam.com/video/-bIurYUN7rk/v-deo.html
When I was adding a compressor to my recorded vocal from SM7B, it became so harsh and annoying. I subtracted those frequency, the vocal was becoming no live and less detail and very dark. Maybe I will try NT1 instead. What do you think?
In terms of noise rejection, dynamics and condensers are the same, with condensers even having ‘cleaner’ off axis rejection curves. The reason people think dynamic are better at ‘rejecting’ off axis sound is because of the fact, 1. They need to be closer to the source to get adequate output level, and 2. They have slower transient response on account of the heavy magnet and coil, which means less high frequencies being captured. Something about that 8k and above band makes people believe dynamics ‘hide’ the room better, but really it’s just a darker recording, you could probably match the dark tone of a dynamic by low passing a condenser, but wouldn’t be able to do the same with a dynamic. I’ve written to DPA about this, and they’ve given me quite a beautiful reply, would be happy to share it.
Great instructional video. Maybe you can help. I will be teaching virtually from a home office. I need better audio ( and video). Most of what i will be teaching will be live via Bluejeans or Zoom. Some will be recorded and available on UA-cam. My office is untreated with book shelves ( or camping gear) on every wall. I understand dynamic microphones are prefered in untreated rooms, but for teaching, i do not want to be on top of the microphone. The environment is quiet. What do you suggest?
Hey Michael! Just left this on a previous comment, I would check out the LCT 440 Pure if you get the chance, great room rejection for a condenser. I just did a review on it too :)
@@AudioHaze If I may, a little nudge please. My voice sounds the best on the NT1 for voice over. But my room is not well treated for it. The LCT gives my voice a bright upper end which I don’t like, and yet the room rejection is a big attraction. Question: is it possible to EQ the LCT accordingly? Thanks so much.
It's not the sound hitting the magnet that makes a signal in a dynamic microphone. The sound hits the diaphragm. Next, the diaphragm moves a coil wrapped around a magnet. The movement of the coil [in the presence of the magnetic field of the magnet] causes free electrons in the wire to move back and forth...thus creating the signal.
Planning on getting a sm58 but am concerned about the infamous low output volume issue when speaking into it or recording vocals. Heard it’s a reallyy quiet mic. Which audio interface would you recommend pairing it with the sm58, say, on a budget? A cloudlifter is not in my range right now. Not sure if an audio interface with enough gain will suffice? Or do I still need an extra preamp? Also, your videos are informative!
Definitely no need for a cloudlifter with a SM58! I used a 58 and a 57 with my Scarlett interface for years with absolutely no issue. The SM7B is a hungrier microphone, and it still does not necessarily need a cloudlifter. Most any interface should work (beyond super low end like maybe an Audiobox USB), but if I were to choose, a MOTU M2 would work great :) so would a scarlett
Nice lesson man.Are you familiar of ARC(advance room correction) 3 system by IK multimedia?Can you use a dynamic mic and have a result as if you have a treated room even if it is untreated therefore nullifying the need to have a condenser mic and have your room treated?
I am! Such processes can definitely help but I'm not sure how full proof they are. Honestly in my experience the more room absorbing material you have the better, whether thats formal treatment or just stuff in your room haha
your my smooth criminal OG mic guy man.. enjoying my NT1- my main mic for all =D good stuff. that newer internal is dirt cheap lol but very decent output for its price- we are so spoiled this days =D thanks man
Planning on getting back into recording now that it can be done from home. An Eastman acoustic guitar (say E20D-TC as a random example) has an abundance of jangle and top end compared to a Martin d18. If I interpret it correctly an SM57 might be a better fit than a Rode NT-1A, if the classic Martin sound is my goal. And then eq and compression to finish the disguise. Is that right? Any other tips/suggestions? Im binge watching your videos and trying to leave a comment in each (algorithms seem to like comments)
Thanks for the algorithm boost haha! I think a 57 vs a NT1a is an interesting match up, I think for pure strumming and more of a darker, less defined sound, a 57 would work yes. You could get more of a detailed audio image with the NT1-a though, then EQ the top end out of it later.
@@AudioHaze Indeed, sir - the CB-1. Had them for about a year now. If you are evaluating them for a review, be aware you may find an anomaly in the lower midrange that can misrepresent the tonal characteristics of guitars and keyboards. Reference tracks will "cure" this glitch, but it took me about 3 months to become aware of it. (my brand is Ollo Audio, so I'm quite spoiled)
I love this video! I really do! Especially you addressing disagreements made my day - I found it highly enjoyable. Especially noise, which is a big hobby of mine, hyped me up a big deal! I would never disagree with you on the fact, that dynamic microphones do a better job at rejecting room noise, compared to a condenser microphone. But I know where the the strong disbelieve in this fact stems from. I am using microphones in an untreated room with the kind of soundproofing you can expect. There is a crowded street in front of the house. In a room like this, adding noise suppression can become difficult. You found a seemingly nice setting, but then the street hits rush hour and you notice, that your carefully tuned noise suppression does a sometimes much worse job. In extension, this observation proves, how easy it is to make mistakes in measuring noise suppression. You need to be sure that sound from the outside of the room doesn't hit your microphones. You need to place, angle and level the two microphone capsules at the exact same place. You need the exact same sound to test it, because variations in sound can create different responses (that is reverberations) in your room, depending on the structure, acoustic insulation, the exact acoustic treatment of the room and what not. There are so many things that can go wrong, falsifying the result of your measurement, that it can become much too easy to fall for the false impression, dynamic microphones weren't any better in noise rejection. That being said: The distance to the microphone has a quite big say on the noise rejection in both, dynamic and condenser microphones. And the differences between the two types of microphones aren't as big as the differences in distance can be.
Well said my friend! Glad you enjoyed that section, I'm sure some may not, perhaps I could have represented it better, but I think I will refer them to the comment you've just made here in the event they disagree haha
@@AudioHaze Well it is sort of on that line of thinking, but the disturbance in the electromagnetic pulse is going to play havoc on the magnets even if the body of the microphone remains.
great video once again rick (its rick right? God Im terrible with remembering names hope I got it right) :) it actually got me interested in SDCs 💀 alsooo btw you should make a video on products like the Kaotica eyeball or its knockoffs, Im saying this bc unlike other reviewers out there you actually have a completely untreated environment lol
Hahaha yeah it would make a perfect pair right?? I'll see what I can do, but it wouldn't be until much further in the future when I have the funds. And its Ricky! You were close :)
@@AudioHaze You are just lowering the walls and revealing so much about yourself. First the puppies on the wall and on t-shirts. Now we learn of feline assistants. All of this time I thought I had to choose between microphone videos and videos of cats and videos. This is like one stop shopping. If you ran a ticker with the baseball scores I would keep your channel open in one window all day.
@@AudioHaze Just puppies, kittens and microphones. Well maybe you could do one of those videos where you are drowsy coming home from the dentist. But with puppies and kittens.
Howdy everyone! If you came here looking for a comparison on these two mics, these affiliate links help me out a bunch :) thanks friends!
SM7B: amzn.to/3lL4REV
NT1: amzn.to/2NUoBJK
Im using both dynamic which is the Shure sm58 and condenser is at2020v . I love them in different way. If my room is untreated, i use dynamic. Condenser is more sensitive and could pick up more lows and highs… in a good way..that makes it more realistic sounding…
it depends on my needs. So i have both. I use it in my Yamaha ag06 interface
Nice, definitely the way to go, best of both worlds :)
@@AudioHaze really?
I was keeping a blind eye on dynamic microphones before watching your video. Definitely going with the sm57 (I've tried condensers but my voice sounds too harsh on them)
Nice! You definitely won’t be disappointed :)
same here!
I don’t retain any important info like this so I will definitely be back to watch it over and over again until I fully understand. WITH THAT SAID, this video was awesome! made it seem relatively easy to comprehend the difference between the two. thanks for making this :)
Ah thank you so much!!! Comments like this keep the motivation coming :)
Really late to the party, but I think the word you were looking for in describing a condenser's quality is - DETAIL - (essentially another way of describing it's sensitivity - more sensitivity should correlate to greater detail captured in the sound) Nice one, great video :)
Having inherited a few mics, here's my take on them:
Shure Sm53 and 58: very similar sounding. Warmer and work better with my lower voice. The 58 has a tiny bit more of a hollow sound in the mids and less high extension. The 53 is best vocal mic for me.
Jana small condenser: Noisier but also louder, more top end than either dynamic. More detailed and more treble, like a blanket was taken off the dynamics. I like it, but it doesn't work as well with my voice.
Astatic 200 Crystal Mic: All mids. Distortion on loud sounds. Apparently a favorite for harmonica because it gives a gritty electric guitar tone. Sounds like a really clean 78 shellac record.
Thanks for the info! Those are some nice choices, I'll have to look into them :)
Well, there are some dynamic mics that nearly reach the richness of detail of the condensers. As a long time Beyerdynamic user I would recommend the M201 for mid and high range signals and the M88 for low range. Great mics. And whenever you come across a TG-X80 or 81 - take it. It´s a great dynamic vocal mic. But caution: if you use the proximity effect too intensely you could cause an earth quake.
Haha yeah its definitely a generalization for sure, the RE20 is very condenser like as well :) I'll have to check those out at some point!
@@AudioHaze My little love affar with Beyer began with the TG-X81 by the way. One day I took 5 mics from a store to my studio and compared them with my SM58. Gosh, they all were better but the TG-X put it to real shame. The 58 sounded like a pre WW2 radio in comparison. I still don´t get it that Shure is so successful with these prehistoric mics. I mean, people are crazy. Guitar players - for example - say that they need their 57 to get "their" sound. So they are not able produce a decent sound with guitar and amp only? For example at a small club gig or during rehearsals? Wouldn´t it be better to produce a great sound in first place and then to take a neutral mic? But ok, it´s an image thing I guess.
Will the audio quality on a dynamic mic such as the SM7b get worse if we dont use a cloudlifter and just use a limiter and a compressor to bring up the gain? Im using an interface that can go upto 50db of gain (Presonus Studio 24c).
P.S. Amazing video! You do an excellent job at explaining this stuff. Subbed.
Thanks so much for the sub dude! And to answer your question, it definitely won't effect audio quality, just got to mess with it a bit in post, I have a whole video on it check it out :) ua-cam.com/video/-bIurYUN7rk/v-deo.html
@@AudioHaze Got it! Thanks man👊
Your channel is awesome! Thanks for all the love you put into these vids. I'd love to see a video on a ribbon mic!
Thank you so much! And yes definitelyyyy on the list, just need an affordable one to fall into my hands :)
When I was adding a compressor to my recorded vocal from SM7B, it became so harsh and annoying. I subtracted those frequency, the vocal was becoming no live and less detail and very dark. Maybe I will try NT1 instead. What do you think?
In terms of noise rejection, dynamics and condensers are the same, with condensers even having ‘cleaner’ off axis rejection curves. The reason people think dynamic are better at ‘rejecting’ off axis sound is because of the fact, 1. They need to be closer to the source to get adequate output level, and 2. They have slower transient response on account of the heavy magnet and coil, which means less high frequencies being captured. Something about that 8k and above band makes people believe dynamics ‘hide’ the room better, but really it’s just a darker recording, you could probably match the dark tone of a dynamic by low passing a condenser, but wouldn’t be able to do the same with a dynamic. I’ve written to DPA about this, and they’ve given me quite a beautiful reply, would be happy to share it.
“I will respond”
I wonder if he will 7 months later. This is a challenge Mr. Haze
Whats my prize
@@AudioHaze friendship
Great instructional video.
Maybe you can help.
I will be teaching virtually from a home office. I need better audio ( and video).
Most of what i will be teaching will be live via Bluejeans or Zoom.
Some will be recorded and available on UA-cam.
My office is untreated with book shelves ( or camping gear) on every wall.
I understand dynamic microphones are prefered in untreated rooms, but for teaching, i do not want to be on top of the microphone.
The environment is quiet.
What do you suggest?
Hey Michael! Just left this on a previous comment, I would check out the LCT 440 Pure if you get the chance, great room rejection for a condenser. I just did a review on it too :)
@@AudioHaze great! Thank you, i will look up that review
@@AudioHaze thank you also for the reply.
Most of my requests for help have gone unanswered.
@@AudioHaze If I may, a little nudge please. My voice sounds the best on the NT1 for voice over. But my room is not well treated for it. The LCT gives my voice a bright upper end which I don’t like, and yet the room rejection is a big attraction. Question: is it possible to EQ the LCT accordingly? Thanks so much.
Please compare the voice of your studio assistants between dynamic & condenser microphones 🐱
oh my god yes coming right up
MAN THEY'RE SO CUTE
I KNOW RIGHT
It's not the sound hitting the magnet that makes a signal in a dynamic microphone. The sound hits the diaphragm. Next, the diaphragm moves a coil wrapped around a magnet. The movement of the coil [in the presence of the magnetic field of the magnet] causes free electrons in the wire to move back and forth...thus creating the signal.
Damn I just bought the sm7b for retail and I have no gain booster and I'm using it with a focusrite solo 3rd gen lol
Ah well you don't actually need a cloud lifter or any external gain! I made a whole video about it :) ua-cam.com/video/-bIurYUN7rk/v-deo.html
the Ev re320 has been the best vocal mic i’ve ever used
I was using a usb condenser mic for vocals and hated it. I purchased the sm7b. Hope I love it. Lol
I think you'll like it! Its not my absolute favorite mic but its solid
@@AudioHaze thanks! I hope so lol
Planning on getting a sm58 but am concerned about the infamous low output volume issue when speaking into it or recording vocals. Heard it’s a reallyy quiet mic. Which audio interface would you recommend pairing it with the sm58, say, on a budget? A cloudlifter is not in my range right now. Not sure if an audio interface with enough gain will suffice? Or do I still need an extra preamp? Also, your videos are informative!
Definitely no need for a cloudlifter with a SM58! I used a 58 and a 57 with my Scarlett interface for years with absolutely no issue. The SM7B is a hungrier microphone, and it still does not necessarily need a cloudlifter. Most any interface should work (beyond super low end like maybe an Audiobox USB), but if I were to choose, a MOTU M2 would work great :) so would a scarlett
were acoustic and electric guitars a metaphor?
Nice lesson man.Are you familiar of ARC(advance room correction) 3 system by IK multimedia?Can you use a dynamic mic and have a result as if you have a treated room even if it is untreated therefore nullifying the need to have a condenser mic and have your room treated?
I am! Such processes can definitely help but I'm not sure how full proof they are. Honestly in my experience the more room absorbing material you have the better, whether thats formal treatment or just stuff in your room haha
Great explanation👍🏾
your my smooth criminal OG mic guy man.. enjoying my NT1- my main mic for all =D good stuff. that newer internal is dirt cheap lol but very decent output for its price- we are so spoiled this days =D thanks man
Thanks man! And good to know, I'lll have to check it out :)
Planning on getting back into recording now that it can be done from home. An Eastman acoustic guitar (say E20D-TC as a random example) has an abundance of jangle and top end compared to a Martin d18. If I interpret it correctly an SM57 might be a better fit than a Rode NT-1A, if the classic Martin sound is my goal. And then eq and compression to finish the disguise. Is that right? Any other tips/suggestions? Im binge watching your videos and trying to leave a comment in each (algorithms seem to like comments)
Thanks for the algorithm boost haha! I think a 57 vs a NT1a is an interesting match up, I think for pure strumming and more of a darker, less defined sound, a 57 would work yes. You could get more of a detailed audio image with the NT1-a though, then EQ the top end out of it later.
Good one, as usual!
Are we looking at CB-1 phones?
You are! Are you familiar with Status?
@@AudioHaze Indeed, sir - the CB-1. Had them for about a year now.
If you are evaluating them for a review, be aware you may find an anomaly in the lower midrange that can misrepresent the tonal characteristics of guitars and keyboards. Reference tracks will "cure" this glitch, but it took me about 3 months to become aware of it. (my brand is Ollo Audio, so I'm quite spoiled)
Amazon video brother,thank you
Thank you too my friend :)
This video was brought to you by Amazon prime 🤣😅
Don’t you think you over did the air whip sound effect far too much
17:03 you meant dynamic?
Thanks!
I love this video! I really do! Especially you addressing disagreements made my day - I found it highly enjoyable. Especially noise, which is a big hobby of mine, hyped me up a big deal! I would never disagree with you on the fact, that dynamic microphones do a better job at rejecting room noise, compared to a condenser microphone. But I know where the the strong disbelieve in this fact stems from. I am using microphones in an untreated room with the kind of soundproofing you can expect. There is a crowded street in front of the house. In a room like this, adding noise suppression can become difficult. You found a seemingly nice setting, but then the street hits rush hour and you notice, that your carefully tuned noise suppression does a sometimes much worse job.
In extension, this observation proves, how easy it is to make mistakes in measuring noise suppression. You need to be sure that sound from the outside of the room doesn't hit your microphones. You need to place, angle and level the two microphone capsules at the exact same place. You need the exact same sound to test it, because variations in sound can create different responses (that is reverberations) in your room, depending on the structure, acoustic insulation, the exact acoustic treatment of the room and what not. There are so many things that can go wrong, falsifying the result of your measurement, that it can become much too easy to fall for the false impression, dynamic microphones weren't any better in noise rejection. That being said: The distance to the microphone has a quite big say on the noise rejection in both, dynamic and condenser microphones. And the differences between the two types of microphones aren't as big as the differences in distance can be.
Well said my friend! Glad you enjoyed that section, I'm sure some may not, perhaps I could have represented it better, but I think I will refer them to the comment you've just made here in the event they disagree haha
Knowledge acquired *insert lvl up sound effect*
lolllll Michael diving deep, this one’s a deep cut hahaha
If there is a nuclear holocaust can you record a sound? Or does it destroy the magnet?
lol its like the "if a tree falls and nobody's around" but with a nuclear bomb
@@AudioHaze Well it is sort of on that line of thinking, but the disturbance in the electromagnetic pulse is going to play havoc on the magnets even if the body of the microphone remains.
This dude got cats but no bb belt
bleep bloop
boop beep
great video once again rick (its rick right? God Im terrible with remembering names hope I got it right) :) it actually got me interested in SDCs 💀 alsooo btw you should make a video on products like the Kaotica eyeball or its knockoffs, Im saying this bc unlike other reviewers out there you actually have a completely untreated environment lol
Hahaha yeah it would make a perfect pair right?? I'll see what I can do, but it wouldn't be until much further in the future when I have the funds. And its Ricky! You were close :)
Wait. Wait. Wait. Wait Wait. Can we stop and take a moment to discuss the bigger topic? Puppies versus kitties.
I feel like there are no lowers only winners here
@@AudioHaze You are just lowering the walls and revealing so much about yourself. First the puppies on the wall and on t-shirts. Now we learn of feline assistants. All of this time I thought I had to choose between microphone videos and videos of cats and videos. This is like one stop shopping. If you ran a ticker with the baseball scores I would keep your channel open in one window all day.
@@seanwebb605 lol yes I'll just pack every facet of internet culture into my mic reviews :)
@@AudioHaze Just puppies, kittens and microphones. Well maybe you could do one of those videos where you are drowsy coming home from the dentist. But with puppies and kittens.
First 😝
:))