Mackie EM-89D Budget Mic Review / Test (vs. XM8500, SM58, E835)
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- Опубликовано: 30 июл 2024
- Today I review the new budget dynamic mic from Mackie, the EM-89D. This costs between $50-$70 dynamic with very crisp top end and a powerful lows and low mids creating a slight V-shape. It does suffer from handling noise and plosives, so you’ll need to practice careful mic technique.
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00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer
00:18 - Setup
00:38 - What’s in the Box
01:04 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:32 - Specifications
01:47 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:06 - Plosive Test
02:16 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:36 - Background Noise Test
02:57 - Untreated Room Test
03:12 - Shockmount Test
03:28 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:43 - Handling Noise Test
03:57 - Mic Cupping Test
04:22 - Intro to Comparison
04:35 - Behringer XM8500 Comparison
05:06 - Shure SM48 Comparison
05:34 - Lewitt MTP250 DM Comparison
05:58 - Electro Voice ND76 Comparison
06:23 - Audix OM2 Comparison
06:51 - AKG D5 Comparison
07:21 - Sennheiser E835 Comparison
07:54 - Shure SM58 Comparison
08:21 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison
08:55 - Beyerdynamic TG V70d Comparison
09:21 - Neumann KMS105 Comparison
10:03 - Beyerdynamic M160 Comparison
10:42 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
11:20 - Music Test
12:47 - Pros & Cons
13:36 - Overall Thoughts
16:00 - Recommendation
17:17 - Outro
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3:57 This demonstration should be called the "how to make your $70 mic sound like a $5 mic" test.
The comparasions in your videos are always my favourite part! Thank you for doing those!
wow, sir! this is impressive, your comprehensive review and comparison is extremely helpful. I was searching for a condenser mic with low sibilants for voiceover, but I'm totally considering this one now. and se v7 as well
Yeah, if you want comprehensive microphone reviews Podcastage really is the best place to go.
I REALLY love how that D5 sounds. I do love the EM89D as well. Been waiting for a while. Hoping it arrives soon.
Great work as always Bandrew! Very helpful. My favorites were the SE V7 and the AKG D5 (as I'm listening for what I think would sound best for spoken word/podcasting).
Definitely like the direction Mackie is going. It’s like they are a more legitimate less junky Behringer.
We'll take the compliment 💚
I just bought one and I‘m really impressed! I just love v-shape mics!
Hey I just want to say that your videos have helped me a lot :)
Immediately after this review I bought one on sale for about $31 :)
Sounds great on your voice and acc. gtr!
How are you getting on with it, sound good for speech etc...?
Great stuff, cheers! Finally I've found a potential, affordable MIC to compliment the horrible mid-tone/nasally voice. Was considering the XM8500, seems great for the price but I think this will actually suit my voice more.
Thanks for your reviews! They are very detailed. The best I've ever met.=)
Overall, for spoken word, I think this might be my 2nd favourite sub $100 handheld dynamic. The only mic that I preferred over it was the SE V7. I think that’s actually what this microphone would be good for. I wouldn’t go anywhere near it for stage use due to the poor handling noise and plosive rejection
🤔…manufacturers of handheld dynamics recently seem to be going for that broadcast sound.
Probably due to the trend of Podcasting and some dude on RUclips doing weekly mic comparison videos
I'd love to see a rereview of the SE Electronics V7. I love the sound of that microphone and would like to see you it stands but to your stringent testing.
Honestly for the price, this sounds really competitive. I'm genuinely surprised by how good this sounds on your voice
Well, I am getting one. They are now 25 dollars...
@@larryhinze 2 for me
Received just a short while ago. Wow, what a different freq response for a dynamic. I just tested it on something and it sounds more like a condenser
@@johnlance3860 My GAWD...25 bucks!
@@johnlance3860 you're right that mackie dynamic mic has higher frequencie response than sm58
AKG D5 is my personal pick, the Mackie is eerily close to both Neumann mics though. I also like the very colored sound of the Beyerdynamics. Good roundup of budget dynamics!
Can you do more videos on budget ribbon mics? Would love to know more about mics like the Cascade Fathead, se Electronic VR1, and the Rode NTR! I want to start micing my guitar cabinet with ribbons, but I also don't want to go broke spending +$1,000 on a Coles 4038.....
Got this recently for busking, and got many compliments on my singing. Really worth the price.
Holy jumping frogs, the U87 is well you know! Excellent as always.
Sound pretty good!! And thanks for the xm8500 haha glad you found it! 😂
just copped one thru the link! I like the price (50usd currently), this'll be my first dynamic mic!
getting one for myself soon to start my first xlr mic setup! (rn i have a blue yeti x) i think it sounds rlly nice and the price even went down even more to about CAD$65 somehow. super good for the price and im rlly excited
Thanks for the review! Also could you review the new Elgato Wave XLR Interface?
Impressed by this one!
I would really love if you could review one of the "the t.bone" mics from Thomann. I think your reviews are awesome and really value your opinion.
Wow! This microphone sounds outstanding for spoken word! I really love that v-shape, it has! I even like it more than the se v7, which is my favourite dynamic mic for under 100$!
@Michael's Production's There is probably something severely lacking in your playback system (or worse, your hearing). Through my Motu M2 and slightly tweaked Moondrop Aria, there are distinct differences between every single mic even at low volume levels. This is a pretty budget set up btw
@Michael's Production's I think, you should train your hearing a bit more.
@Michael's Production's Fair enough- let's quit any speculation right here and now, so kindly list out your listening playback audio gear chain, all the settings involved and all the variables which could affect your discerning ability
@@Wamboexe Yup! That or to stop living in denial :p
@Michael's Production's I just visited your RUclips page, the audio quality of the introduction video there is atrocious. You really ought to do something to save it (and save face for the wrongful accusations of others a.k.a. pot calling the kettle black)
As a person that doesn't care much for a large portion of the mids, I enjoyed this one quite a lot!
If you were to do an audiobook, Bandrew, I would prefer you to use this mic. Especially since you wouldn't hand-hold it, nor would you have an issue handling the proximity to it.
(At least it isn't as aggressively bassy as a Heil dynamic...)
Hi there, I was waiting for this one. Thank you for this great review. Greetings from Argentina! PLlase do AKG D8000m!
HMM I honestly thought you would have compared it to the Samson q2u since they are basically the same price.
I have to agree that it sounds really good on your voice ... and pretty decent on the acoustic. Not something you want to hold in your hands though.
I think this would be a good microphone for beatbox, with the V shape. Picks up a lot of bass without to much prosessing, and also good detail in the highs. Only problem is handeling noice, but if you are carefull I think it would be fine.
Nice shot!
hey can you review the microphone Maono AU A04 USB? there so many mixed reviews on the internet that its almost impossible to know the sound quality of the microphone
Superb video. Sounds to me like a great value spoken voice microphone, by which I mean it has the beef and articulation one might otherwise have to look at 'classic ElectroVoice broadcast microphones' to obtain. Twitch streamers and RUclipsrs rejoice!
Off to a great start
Hey! First, the flattery: You and Curtis Judd are my two favorites when it comes to mic reviews! Now, for the sales pitch: I have an idea (similar to what I'm doing with lenses and sensors) that COULD be a really cool idea for your channel (if you don't mind me pitching it). So, I started testing lenses SPECIFIC TO SENSORS (cameras, course) and when I started doing that, I was able to take some REALLY inexpensive optics, and make them pretty good. So...what if you did that WITH MICROPHONES AND AUDIO INTERFACES?? Lets say, you review and publish specific MIC-INTERFACE combinations that you think sound super sweet together EXAMPLE: I do this with my audio recorders, example is the $15 "Aiworth" 1536 kb/s audio recorder with a Shure VP-83 mini shotgun (on +20 db)!
Hey, great review! Have you ever heard of Sontronics Solo microphone? It’s also a dynamic and crisp sounding mic. Thought it would be interesting to compare Mackie with Solotronics. Cheers!
You mean the Sontronics Solo?
@@jeg1972 yes
wow, good sound!
Actually i bought this mic after this review. I am impressed. Good broadcast sound. To me this is a better version of Road Procaster. For podcasts, streaming, spoken word it sounds really good. Mackie makes some great stuff on a budget. For spoken word it is no brainer. For speech it is better than Se V7, which is more suited for singing.
💚💚💚
I was thinking similar, a less expensive broadcast dynamic.
How do you find the handling noise and off axis rejection?
I only give you a thumbs up when you make me smile. Thanks.
As compared to the ND 76, SM58, and sE V7 it sounded pretty good and was less than the three I listed. As good as the $200 and up? No, but why would it be?
Hola.. saludos desde México... éste micrófono si es recomendable para cantar?? Yo tuve unos bafles mackie que cantando la voz se escuchaba preciosa... aterciopelada, estereofonica, muy bonita.... éste micrófono se escucha al cantar como los bafles mackie?? Gracias por su respuesta
It sounded surprisingly good on acoustic.
Pretty deece for the price.
could you try the maono au-pm461tr? it seems like a really good mic for the price, and videos ive seen has a warm and full sound
this would be fantastic for toms
Excellent review..... Thank you.
Thank you very much for watching and commenting. Glad to hear it was helpful.
sounds gooood, i really like it
Legitimately amazing for the price
I really like the sound
Can you do a review of The T.Bone microphones? They are mics made by Thomann. Thanks.
Can you do a Review of the DPA 2028? We did a shootout some time ago, and the DPA clearly won.
Can someone telllll me why I can’t hear it 😭 through my headphones. I have the mackie bundle and I can hear my keyboard connected throught the headphones, but not anything I say into the mic. How do I get it to pick up sound. Do I need to use the line inputs. I don’t have speakers yet. But I have an amp? Idk Im new to this.
Nice review, advanced audio just copied shure sm7b with their new broadcast dynamic microphone, advanced audio dm7, can you review it?
i need whatever song you played during this test on my playlist rn
I have a choice between the xm 8500 and the Mackie EM-89D....which would you suggest Bandrew?
Please review the Samson Q8X Handheld Dynamic Microphone.
This reminds me somehow of the AKG D5 mic because of the shape and price range.
D5 has scooped highs and less resolution everywhere. Completely different sounding mics.
Can you review the Warm Audio 47 jr?
So which one you recommend? This mackie or the sm58? Im confused and like them both haha
This thing is super crispy
Ok I think I need this now. My preference says the TG V70 was the best. But the EM-89D is the runner up for a fraction of the price.
Makie Em 89d vs ahuja pro +3400 which one is better
Makie em 89d vs AKG P5i which is better for speech
Can we get a re-review of the at2035?
I actually thought this thing sounds amazing. Was incredibly impressed on the music tests. Similar to the SE V7. This is the kind of sound I'm going for. SM58 is too boomy.
Also, feel free to do the ATM650, its another handheld dynamic. I have one, I'd like to see how it compares to others.
I think, it sounded even better than the se v7 (and I love the se v7!)
Yeah can't believe that for voice only the Shure sounds much worse like it is compressed
@@Wamboexe You make a fair point. Goodbye $50 haha...
Curious if this is made by sE for Mackie. The head is very similar and has the same roll stop flat edges. I thought sounded a lot like the sE V3 which was not part of the test
@@thickasthieves9670 I own both of them now and the grill of the mackie is a lot smaller, the body is very different, you can not screw the grill of the mackie on the se v7 and the clip is just totally different. So, I don't think so, but that's an interesting question.
Sir I have to purchase original Shure SM 58 dynamic mic please can you send it's Link I belong to India thanks
im pretty sure the sm58 used in this video had a different sounding from a normal sm58, i have compared it to other podcastage videos that Bandrew used a sm58 to compare with other mics. maybe give your sm58 a check Bandrew.
Hola saludos desde México.. busco una opción económica de micrófono para cantar en vivo... actualmente utilizó el Shure Sm58 beta(color azul)...pero me incomoda porque para mí voz lo siento muy fino y no me proporciona profundidad en bajos y medios..... éste micrófono mackie ayuda a amplificar la voz como en sus bafles mackie??? .... En bafles mackie la voz suena maravillosamente, estereofonica, aterciopelada, con cuerpo.... gracias de antemano y bendiciones a todos
Hi idol. I always watch your videos. I have a simple request to you. Kindly have a review about
Edifier R19U speaker .. thanks
This would be the perfect microphone for BadSeed Tech.
I think we are in the Mic Era as more creators surface.
Could you test this mic Austrian Audio OD505 ?
EM-89D (4:36), XM8500 (4:47), SM48 (5:15), MTP 250DM (5:43), ND76 (6:07), AKG D5 (7:03), E835 (7:31), SM58 (8:03), sE V7 (8:33), TG V70 (9:08), KMS105 (9:35), M160 (10:21), U87 Ai (10:54). I find EM-89D a little harsh/shrill at high-end and it's a bit uncomfortable to listen to for long time. Geez, Beyerdynamic M160 is a corker. Thanks for the review, Bandrew.
pls list it vertically next time 😁
@@bradbonarddelacruz2238 Ohhhh kay! Lol
I have a question! I bought both this dynamic mic and then a conderser mic, also from Mackie, the EM 91C. For recording vocals, I am a tenor. Which one should I use? I also have the Sm58
If you found the answer of your question, please share it here..
It'll be an immense help.
@@bigheartsmolpen For speaking I'm going with this one, it just sounds better than the Shure in my opinion since it is quite dull. Then for singing if you have a treated room I would say go for the EM 91C or this one, either one is good. I tested the three of them and since this one as some handling noise I use the shure for live. So yeah. depends the scenario. Sm58 for live, this one for speaking and the condenser for vocals
hahaha, sounded like you were having fun...nice review.
Can you do the telefunken m80?
I've got a hunch.
This mic... in a kick drum. Or on toms.
Genuinely surprised to see so much love in the comments! My immediate impression is that it sounds sibilant & resonant in a similar way to a budget 90's Radio Shack dynamic 🤷♂️
Edit: Ok, at the end, I *couldn't believe* that Bandrew was speaking positively about it! And that's when I realized that my earbuds weren't all the way in my ears 🤦♂️
What's up with all these new budget mics that sound so damn smooth hahaha, kinda makes me not want to invest in an expensive setup because of how nice they sound.
Or maybe you just have a really nice voice Bandrew :)
The reason it sounds so nice is because of acoustic treatment. Bandrew's room is acoustically treated so you won't hear echos or any sort of reverbs.
shocked how good the mackie sounds compared to the u87 honestly. budget mics have come a long way for sure.
Affordable gear really has come a long way.
It's currently on sale for 25$... How!?
I Like it, nice full sound with clear top. a little boomy, maybe it can be eq'ed away ;-)
Sir, Plz Review the Mackie Chromium
Wait. Your mic box had a mic in it????
I thought that a xm8500 sounds really good but compare to this it sound just a little bit muddy. To be fair it is 3 times cheaper
Whoa a u87 in a budget mic comparison!!! I am shocked & appalled....
🤣
You will be appalled forever more my friend. ;)
I have encountered some problems with my EM89D, somehow the volume is very very low on the mic and I had to set the gain to maximum level in order to have a normal volume. Is that how it actually works??🥺
It's a dynamic mic so you will have to set your gain highter than a condenser microphone. I set my gain at 4:00 to hit around -12db. So I'd say having your gain near 100% is par for the course.
@@Podcastage Thanks a lot!!! I thought my mic had a problem until I watched your video. HAHA~
When you say gain set at 4 o'clock, I don't really know what that means. Is it like 40%?
It's using analog clock terminology. If you look at a clock and look at the 4, that's where the gain is set to. I don't use % because gain dials are not typically linear.
If you look at a clock, 12 would be 50% so 4 is more like 90-100%
I want you to review the Black Lion Audio Revolution Audio Interface please!!!!!!!!!!
After Julian’s review of it, I have zero desire to spend money on it.
@@Podcastage yesss!! Thank you! Cuz I need the full package to know completely what's the truth about it, & wanted to learn more about it. Go for it! Its really the best I could find for an upgrade but I'm still not sure if I'll be doing an upgrade bcuz of some negatives that still I'm not quite sure about it, so I want a review from you. thank you we will be waiting!😌
The Mackie EM-89D came out at $70. Now one year later in 2023 it's going to $45! I kinda like the bulbous yet affirmingly masculine look of this mic. I just bought the Mackie DLZ Podcast mixer, and I could not resist ordering this mic to compliment! The Acoustic Rabbit Hole Loves you, Bandrew. Please visit us here on our channel! God Bless! - The Acoustic Rabbit Hole
The fact that it's $45 now is absolutely wild! Thanks for sharing TARH!
I'm thinking that in this era. There's isn't much different well a different worth the extra money. Like $100 mics are sounding as good as a $1000 mic. But depending on the sound you want. Of course with a top shelf mic your going to get more options. Just depends on how much you want to spend for limited benifits.
Most people wouldn't notice the difference over youtube, unless it sounds awful
@@ee1yd my $20Aud wired earbuds are the better sounding headphones. Besides $600Aud Sennheiser momentum headphones but using the in phone DAC wired not using the Bluetooth I might be able to hear a big difference. But RUclips compression can kill and sound test. Tbh I really should be listing on PC and not the mobile app.
I liked Makie EM-89D better, really great mic!!!
We like you, too 💚
@@mackietv I think bandrew tends to have a really biased opinion about gear, I get along with some points. Thanks
I got one of these after your review and it is a very decent Mic for the price as far as sound. It is definetly a loud mic and very high on the tone of your voice. I wasn't impressed when took it appart though as the capsule doesn't look very good in quality. I have old Behringer Mic's that cost the same but quality wise there is a difference in the capsule. Not sure if you would agree or not. Sound wise its fine and it looks decent just what I thought after experimenting a bit with it.
wtf? this is so good
Please review Blue Microphones Icepop
I think it sounds pretty decent, though it's a shame they seem to have such a hard time cleaning up handling noise with dynamic microphones. I also liked the SM58, the SEv7, and the Beyerdynamic TG V70D.
That Beyer has something great and I don't usually like Beyer gear.
When it comes to handling noise, the Beyer is hard to beat.
I think it sounds pretty good for the price, especially on my phone speakers. For a dynamic mic it has a high end which is surprisingly crisp. not a very full sound though
The Samsung subsidiary Harmon's AKG mic is better I think. The AKG D5
Firstly I am not an earthling. I'm from Mars. For spoken word very nice. Also very nice on electric guitar. Very nice for vocal. For acoustic guitar ok but I prefer condenser mics.
You know what it even sounds a bit better than the sm58 for some reason