On / Off Switches are the bain of existence to the serious soundguy. I'd put a wrap of Electrical Tape over the switch to hold it in the on position. Before that tip was mentioned to me.... The number of times a mic "seemingly failed" because the over zealous singer bumped the switch.... Same reason you always use new batteries in wireless anything before a gig. Less chance of failure.... In today's world.... setting up an AM station.... you'd get the RE 27ND. The RE20 is the father and has the "typical radio sound we all know". Setting up FM you'd look at the the RE 20 even today. The RE range are designed to be around CRT monitors or anything with nasty magnetic feilds (including your 5kw AM TX in the feild say 200m away). They are also meant to stay put, not meant to be handled (hence the shock mount). Their main reason for being like they are is "hum bucking". Back in the days when PC's came in to the broadcast studio, it was a huge problem. They both employ "hum bucking". This is why the RE20 is down a bit in signal coming from the xlr socket. It's a dangerous way to go as now it needs more preamping, that can invite the noise back. This got fixed with the RE27ND....made with Neodymium Magnets (rediculously stronger magnets for thier size). Hummbucking improved out of sight.... with way more volts on the XLR socket for the same db of sound in front. So a big win there too with seemingly being a hotter mic (RE27ND). The slots down the side of both of these are to deal with Bass Proximity.... This is where they "earn their price tag". The US hard pushing forward Hot CHR format requires jocks to be very animated. This is usially done standing up. Now you need a mic that will allow some scope to move around and not change tone. But still have a similar cardiod pattern. Don't forget I'm Australian... I should be saying Rode Rode Rode!!!!! ;) However this does hurt me to say it.... The yanks have this one! ;) 73's all from VK land
@@DominicMazoch defence definitely has allocations everywhere in HF. Not sure about people doing naughty things... sorry mate. All legit licenses here.
Callum you look like professional politician with all them Mics in your face :). Great video thanks for the comparison of some of the more popular mics. 73 Joe
you inspired me to get a an old RE20 to restore and it is just sublime i knocked up a custom mic for my shack by modding an MD100 base mic stand to take the re20s mount and run the audio through a triton fethead with a phantom supply back to the md100 so i get the functionality of the md100 with the EV sound bloody wonderful!!
I'm not a huge fan of on off switches on my mic's but that K8 sounds pretty good. And it's a K8 call lol! Surprised at how much brighter the 57 sounded. I've not had much experience with them. I do prefer the Beta 58's as they have quite a bit more gain before feedback than the regular 58, and sound a bit brighter too, but at almost twice the price, I would expect better performance. Of course your EV is amazing. I always notice in your videos how you never have to really pay too much attention to where the mic is in relation to your mouth and it always pics up your voice fantastically. Great comparison video buddy.
Yeah Mic. I know about your Beta 58.. Now the TRICK I employ it to use a "Broadcast Compressor" on the final mix / post (Adobe Premiere). That evens out the voice even more.. But you are right, I don't have to be THAT accurate.
OK, I THINK there wasn't ANY plug in for that.. The room USED to sound great though.. But now the drums are behind me and I can hear a ton of resonance all over the shot when I'm monitoring..
Peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers is what I think you were attempting! ROFLOL! On/Off switches for “talent” is a nightmare for us sound guys. Yet, I personally like an on/off on my mic when I perform because I’m also running the board & it’s not muted on the board. I love my wireless Sennheiser mics. I thought your test was very well done. All sounded good. Very surprised at the sound that came out of the “cheap” mic! Wonder how it sounds with vocals, not just speaking? Great job!!! Keep up the good work!!!
Yes, interesting. Real "vocals" are a lot louder! OK on the switch. Agreed, for a sound-guy to have a switch is one thing. Don't give it to the lead guitarist / singer though LOL!!
@@DXCommanderHQ I’m currently using an SM58 on my FTDX10. It’s okay… I could definitely use something a bit brighter. The EQ in the radio is pretty good! But, I need to invest in something a bit better.
How about a vid about using a mixed to clean up a SSB signal? I am experimenting now with an Ic746PRO. Radio works well. But mixer gives me some clean up capibility the electronics the rig does not
@@DXCommanderHQ Thx. I think I will not need a newer rig for a while while using this new toy. And mixers, being off board, can be used with the audio output of ANY RADIO.
Hi.. My friend and I are planning to start recording podcasts together, but we can't agree on whether the quality difference between expensive and affordable microphones is really necessary. I suggest buying at least an RE20 or an SM7B, while my friend prefers microphones in the Podmic price range. Do you think the difference between these two microphones would be noticeable for listeners? Do you think we should go all out and choose established, high-end products, or would more budget-friendly microphones suffice? Thank you for your recommendations. Please help me, I've been sleepless for four days, researching only this topic. I admit that I am overly obsessed, but I want to do my job properly and cleanly. I am very talkative and warm-hearted, never hesitant to laugh, and I usually laugh a lot. I used to do Twitch streaming before, so I have knowledge about how to gain viewers. Now, I want to sleep, please tell me which microphone and sound card I should get :)
Hey Melinda.. To start off with, go with budget-friendly. There is a difference between high and low, sure - but mostly engineering and manufacturing quality - but the basis of a microphone is pretty easy. What is probably MORE important is getting the post-mix right AFTER you have recorded.. You can use Audacity (free) to normalise and compress your podcast and give a very slight left-right feel to the two broadcasters.. But sound engineering is possibly more important that the actual microphone. And the room you will record in too is terribly important. I am happy to advise. My email is on the About page here on TH-cam and also on the dxcommander website - I would be happy to review. You need to make some test recordings.. PS - I recently heard this microphone, a BM800 microphone. It's VERY cheap. Just don't bang the table when you talk and don't get too close or too far away from the mic. There is a technique. Test recordings is the most important though - and having someone look at it before you commit. Keep me posted via email.
Well done as always. My go to is a PR40 but have had good luck with most mics. Also dearly love the Heil ICM electret through a URQxx EQ on the 7300. Very punchy and get through pileups easily with that. May try to get it set up through adapter cables on my other rigs for DX. 73 Cal de K1JHS
Can you believe that a cheap Sing Star Mic for Sony Play Station hooked to a simple UR6QW EQ Box makes a 750.-bucks ElektroVoice look (sound) poorly? A big Bang for the Bucks. Thx for the great Content Lord Callum. Happy Wednesday Evening de YFUG
The 58 and 57 are the same mics, the only difference is the head shell.. which makes them sound a bit different. The 57s head shell is made to get close to a guitar cab, or snare drum. Seems we both have 2 hobbies in common, music and ham radio. I run the good old shure sm7b into a preamp/eq/compressor and into my rig.. 73 good sir.
Love a good mic review Callum. The stage guys love the SM58 cause they are cheap and a singer can yell in them also good had holding rejection like you did in your test and they still have a good response. Interestingly the SM57 doesn't get used for voice in the UK but in the US .... but whooooa an interesting fact the SM57 is "the presidential mic" the president of the United States uses. they used to have 3 - trump went to 1 close mic on a goose neck. Biden is back to 2 further away. Check out any pic on the net where a president is at the podium speaking - as a mic enthusiast you might find it interesting. You are correct they use it a lot in drums. I love my RE20 - i think its fantastic, the best voice mic i have. I recently had to buy 2 x Sennheiser e835 for TV hosts to use in broadcast. they are pretty cheap and sound amazing for the price - though they need a pop filter cause they are very plosive
Wow. Amazing comment! Yes, I had read about the SM57's used for presidential addresses.. Now.. I also have the Stellar x2 review video to publish shortly (*an old one but it's a cool video). Sounds pleasant BUT doesn't have the engineering finish of the RE20 or 27ND (which is insanely beautiful as you know).
@@DXCommanderHQ Yea thanks as once a TV soundo I loved looking at the history of mics - I think the SM57 goes far back as Nixon - You can scan through old google images and there is the SM57 x 3 and those half click foam windsocks for the front - which slightly disguise the front, on windy days you will see the "dead cat" windsock but still the SM57 under with the right angle black XLR's. There was a definite change. Even the Trump close mic-ing thing where i'm sure he told the sound guys this is how it is. The White House Press department provide the feed from the lecturn so the President always would sound as they wanted. A bit of control but no flakey mics clipped to the podium. I find it a fascinating look in history - how the one mic stayed the same no matter who was the president..Anyhow I thought as a mic guru as yourself you would be interested - Cheers Glenn VK2HTV
And as a sideline the UK tried the same thing I’m not sure when it was introduced may the Thatcher years the mic of choice is the AKG222 still used at the Prime Minister at the Dispatch box today. I’m sure you can’t buy them anymore. I hated when I think it was the Blair era when they shoved a foam windsock over the bottom for no reason. Looked stupid when Press conferences were done outside Number 10. Today they use a variety but still the 222 in Parliament
Good show! Educational and informative. DX or ragchewing, I prefer to sound like a broadcast (pirate) station with audio quality the listener(s) almost want to worship or maybe meditate to! KD8EFQ/73!
Ive been transmitting around the world for over forty years always using the microphone that comes with the radio, ive never had a single contact that has given me a bad audio report, i think all these microphones with fancy names and designs are just an accessory that isn't needed.. my theory is "if someone builds it someone will buy it even if its not needed".. commercialisation gone mad so to say.. Do they help with lifting your voice of course, but if the guy at the other end can hear you fine on a standard microphone none of them are needed.. just saying.
The mics that come with the rigs are often "just right". Correct. The REAL difference is for those people who want a) to spend money(!) b) dual use (recording and TX) and c) some engineering. PS - My RE27 on my TS990s gives better reports than the stock hand-mic that Kenwood supply. However, nobody really cares, let's be honest!
I use an sm57 on my 991a ham rig and love it. My go to vocal mic in the band was an sm58, for ham radio, i like the 57 due to having a little less low end so the signal seems to cut through the noise a bit better. That K8 sounds pretty darn good! of the four for ham the sm57, for talking on video, i like the 58. But all sound very good 73! KZ9SEL
I wus just look for your review of k5 As I'm look buy a mike like this Love my hail n all but want a good cheaper one to have on hand Thanks DX Commander Off to order one Wright now Up date got it this morning 27usd free shipping works good Good bang for the buck But not as good as my pr40 But for cost real hard to beat
@@DXCommanderHQ I have phant but most one's I use a don't need Pr 40 does not need it I have few old mikes a few need it I have China hutch for my mikes Some are from sk that were friends N some I got ham fest thay all work
@@DXCommanderHQ I’m busting your chops. You know everything you put out has a point; and that being said, get a good microphone and that suits your needs not someone else’s! Shure is the Local company, Heil is more local to me. Love the video! Sorry I forgot to tell you that in the first comment!
On / Off Switches are the bain of existence to the serious soundguy. I'd put a wrap of Electrical Tape over the switch to hold it in the on position. Before that tip was mentioned to me.... The number of times a mic "seemingly failed" because the over zealous singer bumped the switch.... Same reason you always use new batteries in wireless anything before a gig. Less chance of failure....
In today's world.... setting up an AM station.... you'd get the RE 27ND. The RE20 is the father and has the "typical radio sound we all know". Setting up FM you'd look at the the RE 20 even today. The RE range are designed to be around CRT monitors or anything with nasty magnetic feilds (including your 5kw AM TX in the feild say 200m away). They are also meant to stay put, not meant to be handled (hence the shock mount). Their main reason for being like they are is "hum bucking". Back in the days when PC's came in to the broadcast studio, it was a huge problem. They both employ "hum bucking". This is why the RE20 is down a bit in signal coming from the xlr socket. It's a dangerous way to go as now it needs more preamping, that can invite the noise back. This got fixed with the RE27ND....made with Neodymium Magnets (rediculously stronger magnets for thier size). Hummbucking improved out of sight.... with way more volts on the XLR socket for the same db of sound in front. So a big win there too with seemingly being a hotter mic (RE27ND). The slots down the side of both of these are to deal with Bass Proximity.... This is where they "earn their price tag". The US hard pushing forward Hot CHR format requires jocks to be very animated. This is usially done standing up. Now you need a mic that will allow some scope to move around and not change tone. But still have a similar cardiod pattern.
Don't forget I'm Australian... I should be saying Rode Rode Rode!!!!! ;) However this does hurt me to say it.... The yanks have this one! ;)
73's all from VK land
Peter, PERFECT comment. Thank you very much!!
In VK land, are their still wide expance of HF frequencies which are allocated to the AUS government, but ate used kinda like 11m CB in the US?
@@DominicMazoch defence definitely has allocations everywhere in HF. Not sure about people doing naughty things... sorry mate.
All legit licenses here.
Callum you look like professional politician with all them Mics in your face :). Great video thanks for the comparison of some of the more popular mics. 73 Joe
Thanks! 😃
you inspired me to get a an old RE20 to restore and it is just sublime i knocked up a custom mic for my shack by modding an MD100 base mic stand to take the re20s mount and run the audio through a triton fethead with a phantom supply back to the md100 so i get the functionality of the md100 with the EV sound bloody wonderful!!
Wow!
Like to hear more of you guys playing that "Remedy" track. Sounded good.
I'm not a huge fan of on off switches on my mic's but that K8 sounds pretty good. And it's a K8 call lol! Surprised at how much brighter the 57 sounded. I've not had much experience with them. I do prefer the Beta 58's as they have quite a bit more gain before feedback than the regular 58, and sound a bit brighter too, but at almost twice the price, I would expect better performance. Of course your EV is amazing. I always notice in your videos how you never have to really pay too much attention to where the mic is in relation to your mouth and it always pics up your voice fantastically. Great comparison video buddy.
Yeah Mic. I know about your Beta 58.. Now the TRICK I employ it to use a "Broadcast Compressor" on the final mix / post (Adobe Premiere). That evens out the voice even more.. But you are right, I don't have to be THAT accurate.
I lol'd pretty hard at the 'that way in England' comment. 73 and cheers Cal!
Great video DX hope all is well on your end what plug in are you using to get that great sound
OK, I THINK there wasn't ANY plug in for that.. The room USED to sound great though.. But now the drums are behind me and I can hear a ton of resonance all over the shot when I'm monitoring..
Hay love your videos. Can you use the re20 directly into the icon 7300.
RE20 has got quite a low output.. You might need a Cloudlifter - or a mixer to ram it up a bit.
@@DXCommanderHQ thank very much mate
Peter piper picked a peck of pickled peppers is what I think you were attempting! ROFLOL! On/Off switches for “talent” is a nightmare for us sound guys. Yet, I personally like an on/off on my mic when I perform because I’m also running the board & it’s not muted on the board. I love my wireless Sennheiser mics. I thought your test was very well done. All sounded good. Very surprised at the sound that came out of the “cheap” mic! Wonder how it sounds with vocals, not just speaking? Great job!!! Keep up the good work!!!
Yes, interesting. Real "vocals" are a lot louder! OK on the switch. Agreed, for a sound-guy to have a switch is one thing. Don't give it to the lead guitarist / singer though LOL!!
“About that far away. Or, in England, that far away”.
That one had me laughing pretty hard. 10 points for that one Callum.
HAHA Tyler!!!
@@DXCommanderHQ I’m currently using an SM58 on my FTDX10. It’s okay… I could definitely use something a bit brighter. The EQ in the radio is pretty good! But, I need to invest in something a bit better.
How about a vid about using a mixed to clean up a SSB signal? I am experimenting now with an Ic746PRO. Radio works well. But mixer gives me some clean up capibility the electronics the rig does not
Coming SOON!!!
@@DXCommanderHQ Thx. I think I will not need a newer rig for a while while using this new toy. And mixers, being off board, can be used with the audio output of ANY RADIO.
Great video cal!!!! Re20 1st place then I actually like the k8 over the others
Good choice!
Very interesting mike comparisions
Hi.. My friend and I are planning to start recording podcasts together, but we can't agree on whether the quality difference between expensive and affordable microphones is really necessary. I suggest buying at least an RE20 or an SM7B, while my friend prefers microphones in the Podmic price range. Do you think the difference between these two microphones would be noticeable for listeners? Do you think we should go all out and choose established, high-end products, or would more budget-friendly microphones suffice? Thank you for your recommendations. Please help me, I've been sleepless for four days, researching only this topic. I admit that I am overly obsessed, but I want to do my job properly and cleanly. I am very talkative and warm-hearted, never hesitant to laugh, and I usually laugh a lot. I used to do Twitch streaming before, so I have knowledge about how to gain viewers. Now, I want to sleep, please tell me which microphone and sound card I should get :)
Hey Melinda.. To start off with, go with budget-friendly. There is a difference between high and low, sure - but mostly engineering and manufacturing quality - but the basis of a microphone is pretty easy. What is probably MORE important is getting the post-mix right AFTER you have recorded.. You can use Audacity (free) to normalise and compress your podcast and give a very slight left-right feel to the two broadcasters.. But sound engineering is possibly more important that the actual microphone. And the room you will record in too is terribly important. I am happy to advise. My email is on the About page here on TH-cam and also on the dxcommander website - I would be happy to review. You need to make some test recordings.. PS - I recently heard this microphone, a BM800 microphone. It's VERY cheap. Just don't bang the table when you talk and don't get too close or too far away from the mic. There is a technique. Test recordings is the most important though - and having someone look at it before you commit. Keep me posted via email.
Well done as always. My go to is a PR40 but have had good luck with most mics. Also dearly love the Heil ICM electret through a URQxx EQ on the 7300. Very punchy and get through pileups easily with that. May try to get it set up through adapter cables on my other rigs for DX. 73 Cal de K1JHS
Good choice! Do it :)
Can you believe that a cheap Sing Star Mic for Sony Play Station hooked to a simple UR6QW EQ Box makes a 750.-bucks ElektroVoice look (sound) poorly? A big Bang for the Bucks. Thx for the great Content Lord Callum. Happy Wednesday Evening de YFUG
I think beyond about $50, it's VERY hard to tell the difference for a regular user. But see pinned comment for reasons..
Just got the EV RE 27ND for use on the yeast ftdx101 mp and wow getting excellent audio reports. Know cost a lot of money but a good investment.
Yes, the ND has a nice hot output.. Great for Yaesu and Kenwood probably!
@@DXCommanderHQ I heard you on yours and was blown away with the audio I never heard anything as good as that mic.
To me I cannot really tell a difference between the mics, they all sounds about the same.
Remember, some Icom rigs are very picky about mic wiring and power addition.
And for some reason people will complain about microphone quality on SSB HF calls.
The 58 and 57 are the same mics, the only difference is the head shell.. which makes them sound a bit different. The 57s head shell is made to get close to a guitar cab, or snare drum. Seems we both have 2 hobbies in common, music and ham radio. I run the good old shure sm7b into a preamp/eq/compressor and into my rig.. 73 good sir.
Yes, I remember someone telling me that. Interesting isn't it..!
Love a good mic review Callum. The stage guys love the SM58 cause they are cheap and a singer can yell in them also good had holding rejection like you did in your test and they still have a good response. Interestingly the SM57 doesn't get used for voice in the UK but in the US .... but whooooa an interesting fact the SM57 is "the presidential mic" the president of the United States uses. they used to have 3 - trump went to 1 close mic on a goose neck. Biden is back to 2 further away. Check out any pic on the net where a president is at the podium speaking - as a mic enthusiast you might find it interesting. You are correct they use it a lot in drums. I love my RE20 - i think its fantastic, the best voice mic i have. I recently had to buy 2 x Sennheiser e835 for TV hosts to use in broadcast. they are pretty cheap and sound amazing for the price - though they need a pop filter cause they are very plosive
Wow. Amazing comment! Yes, I had read about the SM57's used for presidential addresses.. Now.. I also have the Stellar x2 review video to publish shortly (*an old one but it's a cool video). Sounds pleasant BUT doesn't have the engineering finish of the RE20 or 27ND (which is insanely beautiful as you know).
@@DXCommanderHQ Yea thanks as once a TV soundo I loved looking at the history of mics - I think the SM57 goes far back as Nixon - You can scan through old google images and there is the SM57 x 3 and those half click foam windsocks for the front - which slightly disguise the front, on windy days you will see the "dead cat" windsock but still the SM57 under with the right angle black XLR's. There was a definite change. Even the Trump close mic-ing thing where i'm sure he told the sound guys this is how it is. The White House Press department provide the feed from the lecturn so the President always would sound as they wanted. A bit of control but no flakey mics clipped to the podium. I find it a fascinating look in history - how the one mic stayed the same no matter who was the president..Anyhow I thought as a mic guru as yourself you would be interested - Cheers Glenn VK2HTV
And as a sideline the UK tried the same thing I’m not sure when it was introduced may the Thatcher years the mic of choice is the AKG222 still used at the Prime Minister at the Dispatch box today. I’m sure you can’t buy them anymore. I hated when I think it was the Blair era when they shoved a foam windsock over the bottom for no reason. Looked stupid when Press conferences were done outside Number 10. Today they use a variety but still the 222 in Parliament
Who’s that saying 1 2 at the end? Interesting cheap mic btw. 😉
Still prefer the Re20, although the SM58 sounded good. They all would work well.
Good show! Educational and informative.
DX or ragchewing, I prefer to sound like a broadcast (pirate) station with audio quality the listener(s) almost want to worship or maybe meditate to!
KD8EFQ/73!
HAHAHA SAME!! LOL
@@DXCommanderHQ Saw the price though on that RE20 mic and could've soiled me knickers!
If somebody has mic fright, your line of mics would send them to a specialized hospital!
Ive been transmitting around the world for over forty years always using the microphone that comes with the radio, ive never had a single contact that has given me a bad audio report, i think all these microphones with fancy names and designs are just an accessory that isn't needed.. my theory is "if someone builds it someone will buy it even if its not needed".. commercialisation gone mad so to say..
Do they help with lifting your voice of course, but if the guy at the other end can hear you fine on a standard microphone none of them are needed.. just saying.
The mics that come with the rigs are often "just right". Correct. The REAL difference is for those people who want a) to spend money(!) b) dual use (recording and TX) and c) some engineering. PS - My RE27 on my TS990s gives better reports than the stock hand-mic that Kenwood supply. However, nobody really cares, let's be honest!
The Black Crowes. Hell ya!!!!
I use an sm57 on my 991a ham rig and love it. My go to vocal mic in the band was an sm58, for ham radio, i like the 57 due to having a little less low end so the signal seems to cut through the noise a bit better. That K8 sounds pretty darn good! of the four for ham the sm57, for talking on video, i like the 58. But all sound very good 73! KZ9SEL
I wus just look for your review of k5
As I'm look buy a mike like this
Love my hail n all but want a good cheaper one to have on hand
Thanks DX Commander
Off to order one Wright now
Up date got it this morning 27usd free shipping works good
Good bang for the buck
But not as good as my pr40
But for cost real hard to beat
You do need phantom power though...
@@DXCommanderHQ I have phant but most one's I use a don't need
Pr 40 does not need it
I have few old mikes a few need it
I have China hutch for my mikes
Some are from sk that were friends
N some I got ham fest thay all work
Heil Sound?
Well, I can't review EVERY mic on the one video.. But you know what? They all work :)
@@DXCommanderHQ I’m busting your chops. You know everything you put out has a point; and that being said, get a good microphone and that suits your needs not someone else’s! Shure is the Local company, Heil is more local to me. Love the video! Sorry I forgot to tell you that in the first comment!
I have a Heil Pro Headset.