Electro Voice RE20 Reviews

Vincent DiCarlo
from Eustis Fl.
May 10, 2013

Electrovoice RE-20

What a GREAT Mic!
I am a amateur radio operator (KJ4QVJ) and since I started useing my new RE-20, my audio reports have been GREAT! I have had several stations comment that my audio is "broadcast quality".
Thanks Sweetwater!

Aaron
from Boston, MA
April 21, 2013Music Background:
Pro Musician

Great Bass Microphone

This mic is absolutely amazing for capturing bass guitar both on the road and in the studio. An RE 20 channel paired with a good DI channel will make your bass sound stunning. Get it!

Mike
from Danville KY, United States
March 19, 2013Music Background:
locally grown singer/songwriter, hack recordist

Love the RE20

I've been very happy with the EV RE20 for home recording and for singing live through a Fishman 220 (with a Cloudlifter). The night I forst used the RE20 live, I got several comments on the fine quality of the sound from the audience. This was an upgrade from a Sennheiser e935, which I still like and will keep. But the difference is extraordinary. I particularly like the minimal proximity effect. (I will say that I had to put a counterweight on my mic stand - this thing's a tad heavy.)

Ronnie
from Miami FL
December 27, 2012Music Background:
Recording Engineer, Producer

RE20 Classic

I feel like I still have so much to explore with this mic, because it is so well-suited to recording any kind of sound. I purchased it for my vocals after being disappointed with the tone of my voice through many condensers, and I was instantly satisfied with this microphone. This is that sound I have been looking for. It also sounds great on acoustic guitar, and any other kinds of sounds. The lack of proximity effect is amazing too, you get the sweet spot instantly.

Honestly, even if you end up not liking it for vocals, you will eventually use it on something. Like many people have said, every studio should have one. Excellent mic.

(Oh, and they're not exaggerating about the build quality -- if you buy this mic, you will still be using it 20 years from now. Completely solid construction)

Cam Sinclair
from New Zealand
October 31, 2012Music Background:
Drummer / Recording Engineer (enthusiast not

Worthy of the accolades

I love it, I brought it primarily for use on the outer resonant bass drum head paired with a D-6 about 1/3rd the way inside the shell, balancing the levels between the two gives a tonne of options and different sounds/feels.
From the few tests I've done so far I expect this will be one of my "go to" mics for just about everything. the flatness of the sound and lack of proximity effect is fine by me as it allows me to do whatever I want with the source sound.

John
from
June 26, 2012

Great mic

There is a reason this mic is considered the Gold Standard. It's rugged. If dropped from waist height onto a concrete floor, be concerned for the floor, not the RE20. Its internal mounting provides will gladly absorb gentle bumps without producing the slightest hint of a thump in the audio.

Chad B
from New Orleans, LA
February 8, 2012Music Background:
Touring Musician, Recording Engineer

A "Must-Have" Mic for any collection!

I originally bought the mic to record kick and upright bass and it has NOT disappointed in those areas. This mic has a "true" sound, meaning it will pickup your sound just as it is. For drummers that know how to tune your drums, this mic is for you.

This mic also excels at vocals. Recently I was recording an artist who's voice was warm, yet powerful. I tried the U-87 and the C-414 but the producer wasn't happy with the results. Before I reached for my ribbon mic, I pulled the RE-20 out and was blown away. This mic does it all!

One side note...Mic needs gobs of gain. I strongly recommend a nice preamp or a Cloud lifter to boost gain.

Francis Kora
from New Zealand
April 7, 2011Music Background:
Pro Musician, Recording Engineer,

Dynamic mics all the way!!!!

After months of research I have finally found the vocal mic with the sound that I have longed for. Personally I prefer the RE-20 and the Shure SM7B over many of the hi-end condensors, which is really saying something. I also own the Blue Bottle with B6 and B7 capsules, but I was shocked to hear that I prefered the vocal takes with the RE-20 over the Blue Bottle! (WTF!!!!!!!!!)
The sound has very smooth highs and mojo warmth that sits inside the mix, without the annoying sibilance that I tend to get with alot of condensors.
The RE-20 has excellent noise rejection, which makes it perfect to record pro results without having to leave my computer screen, it sits right next to me while I work. Bonus.
RE-20 or SM7B, Pacifica, SSL XL 9000 K dynamics. EQ not needed = BLISS

from Philadelphia, PA
October 3, 2008Music Background:
Producer/Engineer

Astounding Clarity & Presence

We just put this mic up (through 1073>Pultec>LA-3) next to an original 251 (through 1073>LA-2A) for a low male vocalist, and there was NO comparison. The presence and power of the RE20 made the vocal sound bigger than life (especially in the intimately quite parts); my new favorite vocal chain!

Clayton Langeneckert
from St. Louis, MO USA
October 2, 2008Music Background:
Recording Engineer, Live Sound Engineer, Video, Lighting, Student

An incredible sounding microphone

I recently started using this microphone at one of my jobs and have found that it sounds incredible for use with any full range miking situation, especially with it's warm and smooth low end. It sounds great on kick drum, low toms, bass amp, and broadcasting vocals. My only problem is that it is somewhat awkward and unbalanced as it sits in it's clip so I have to tighten everything up a lot more than for something like a 57. It sounds incredible though and I am very pleased with it.

Mischa
from Knoxville, TN USA
January 31, 2008Music Background:
Pro Musician, Recording/Live Sound Engineer

The standard "must have" double bass microphone.

Being a professional double bassist and recording engineer, I am constantly crafting my tone, from both sides of the microphone. After years of consultation and experimentation, the RE20 has proven to be the ideal recording/live sound microphone for the double bass. Placed near the upper f-hole and combined with a signal from a pickup (Realist, Underwood, Fullcircle), one can capture a true acoustic bass timbre that is very accurate and consistent. The pickup just adds a little clarity and growl incase one is going for that Ron Carter/Eddie Gomez sound. I recently recorded the great bassist John Clayton for The Knoxville jazz Orchestra's latest album. The album was a combination of a live performance and a studio session. Sure enough, Mr. Clayton shows up from LA with his OWN RE20, NO pickup and says that's all he needs. I also know that Edgar Meyer carries an his RE20 when on tour. The proof is in the pudding. I also use an AMT S25B. With this config., I move the RE20 to the lower f-hole. Depending on the instrument and live PA, consider using the low-cut on the RE20 to reduce excessive bottom end boom. The mic of course sounds great on vocals, reeds and brass. The RE20 is definitely one of my "Desert Island" picks.

Adam
from Seattle-ish
April 13, 2012Music Background:
Recording Engineer, Hobbyist Drummer

THE mic for kick drum

I bought this mic as something to try on kick drum. I've been trying to get a certain recorded sound from kick drums that I'd been unable to achieve: tight, snappy, yet with plenty of bass punch. I knew a bunch of engineers swore by this mic for kick, so I decided to try it out.

They're right. Stick this mic in the hole (if the drum is so equipped) or stick it just in front. On a jazz kick, I didn't need to do any processing at all. No EQ, no compression. It just worked in the mix.

For rock drums, just EQ some bass boost to it, and add a little compression. (This mic has a flat response above 100 Hz or so, and rolls off in the bass... Which isn't usually a problem with a bass-heavy instrument like a kick drum, unless you want it larger-than-life.) It takes almost no effort to get a fantastic kick drum sound.

Note that if the drum is not tuned, has dead heads, or the drummer isn't good, this mic will not mask those flaws. You'll hear every shortcoming in perfect detail! When the kick is properly tuned, with good heads, and played by a good drummer, you'll be floored by how good the drum sounds on the recording.

I deducted a half-star because this mic is very heavy, and the included swivel mount being at the very end of the mic puts a lot of strain on the mic stand -- especially when using this mic on a kick drum.

from
February 2, 2012

Nice Mic

I like it a lot. I also own the SM7B (the original model) and it was close to a coin flip between the two. Testing with my own voice (male, somewhat bassy), this is what I ended up liking:

For dialog, I liked the SM7B with the presence boost and the RE 20 flat for dialog, both pretty close to the mic. To my ears, the RE 20 was a little more smooth. It seemed to have a bit more core and a nice air on top. The SM7B was a bit more articulate and a bit less flattering. I think I would prefer the RE20 with my voice unless I was concerned about projecting over other sounds.

For singing, I liked the RE20 flat at more of a distance (around 4 inches), and the SM7B flat and pretty close. I preferred the RE20 for what I was singing, but I can see how the SM7B would work better for more punchy vocals.

I think it would depend on the voice and the material which one I would prefer, but if I had to have only one of the two mics I would probably go with the RE20.

joe reilly
from new bedford ma usa
June 1, 2011Music Background:
musician producer engineer

great value

great addition to our mic closet handles transients well multi kick drum mic

C. Cash
from Bahamas
June 22, 2009Music Background:
Hobbyist

Bass drum resident

This mic now lives inside my bass drum. Its as good as I have recorded with so far.

from
January 10, 2013

Fairly Good

I used one of these mics for a little bit. I can't say I was that impressed. I used it for broadcasting work. The main issue I had with it was how airy and thin it sounded on my voice. It sounded very natural though. If I had the money I'd probably buy another just because of how cool it looks. It inspired me to try out the re320 and re27 as well. The RE20 is the better of the three. It sounds much more natural. It's a favorite for a reason. The others are failures in my opinion. If I owned EV I would have worked on making cheaper version of the RE20 not variants that perform worse with those horrible neodymium magnets. I definitely miss this mic a tiny bit. I will be looking back at it later. It has sibilance and buzzy issues among a few other things. It's definitely not always perfect. I've gone back to condensers after trying all the popular dynamics. I'll probably relook at this later. It's just so cool looking!

Joe S
from NJ
October 18, 2006Music Background:
home recordist

Kick Drum

This is my go-to kick drum mic. I don't like to use the "specialty" kick drum mics, I'd rather use a nice dynamic like this and eq to taste. I also own the shockmount which is very high quality. I use the RE20 close in, and a condenser mic further out to get my kick sound. I have tried this on vocals, but if I want to use a dynamic, I prefer a Sennheiser 441 or a Shure SM7. However, for bass cab and kick drum, this is my go-to piece.

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