RE20's are fantastic. We use them for our cartoon voice acting, especially during the day to cut back on outside noise. We're lucky enough to live in an area which is quiet at night (when we do use condensers), but to be honest... the RE20 (with a fethead) recordings are difficult to tell apart from the condensers anyway.
@@offplanetfilms I’ve never used a fethead, although I see them pop up anytime I look for gain boosters. Are they just really clean, or do they add some mojo? I’m a musician and before doing video I did some music recording and mixing, and have some nice external preamps that can add some nice color, if you want to (transformer based 500 series preamps).
@@nick_magsFetheads are really clean, and pair perfectly with an RE20. That combo directly into an interface sounds great without any EQ. For a little color, we do run into external preamps (either an ISA one for clean transformer mojo, or a UA 610 solo for a vintage warmth). We use different mics & preamp combos all the time to separate our character voices more.
I did like the sound of all the microphones you recommended and found your ideas to be quite interesting. There was one thing that I heard through my headphones while you used all the mics. I think the sound was sometimes a bit nasal and then super pleasant again. This switched back and forth a bit and was somewhat distracting to me. Maybe this was on my end but I don't know and wanted to let you know, because I suppose it might have something to do with your edit. Anyways I really liked your style and presentation and am looking forward to more videos from you!
Interesting! Thanks for the feedback. Sometimes I use some automated plugins to speed up the editing process, one of them being a "deplosive" tool that helps reduce any plosive sounds. Sometimes this can remove too much of the low end, and it might go in and out as it hits the threshold. I wonder if that's what's causing that pumping issue. I also tend to reduce some of the mid-range frequencies and maybe I went too far, which could contribute to the nasaly thing. Plus I edit on high end studio monitors and don't always do an audio check on other devices to see what they sound like. Maybe I should make that a regular part of my work flow.
@@nick_mags awesome response thanks for that. I think that the deplosive tool might have to do something with it. About a week or two ago I also tended to rely on my monitors, though not that high end, and was surprised how many more details I got through the headphones. Anyways it still is great content you make and I hope to see more!
@@fennixshark2584 Thanks! Sometimes I gotta balance my perfectionist tendencies with being practical. Done is better than perfect, but I struggle with that. So I'm trying to embrace it and just do what I can in the time I've allotted. Thanks again for the feedback! I'm going to pay more attention to that in future videos.
For beginners on a budget I would suggest the xm8500 for the cheapest, the sm48, 57,58, the podmic and finally the podmic usb. I cant say this enough I love the podmic usb the most not only is it good in usb mode when you are ready to upgrade all you would need next is an interface. It has a better pop filter than the built in pop filter in the original plus you can pick a colorful pop filter to make it look good and fit your gear. For a interface i loved the minifuse 1.
@@nick_mags I had to do alot of searching 4 years ago everyone said to buy a blue yeti and that was a mistake those mics are for gamers and even gamers are finally not picking these up anymore. then I found audio gear channels like podcastage and more had so much better options to chose from
What I hear you saying about condenser mics is that they’re too good, and pick up what’s really going on in the environment. I’d say that if you lose viewers because of poor quality audio, you must not be saying anything worth coming back to. I’ve been an audio engineer for over 40 years, and the intent is always to get the best sound possible. In live venues that can be challenging. In a home ‘studio’ where greater control is possible, just about any mic can be used effectively. As with many things, research can be valuable, but the internet today offers too many ‘experts’ with competing opinions. Then again, I’m just one voice on the topic. Unfortunately finding 50 people saying the same thing doesn’t automatically make them right or wrong. What I’m saying is, new people should start small. I saw a video where the presenter was accidentally using the laptop built-in microphone and I couldn’t tell the difference. Most people watch videos on their phones, maybe with earbuds, so as long as the sound is not distorted or has too much background noise, who notices.
Thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughts! Regarding condenser mics, my opinion is that unless your room is treated, you should skip them. Especially the lower end ones that have those wretched high end bumps to make them sound 'better' (which they all seem to have, in my experience). Better quality condensers can sound great...if your room is treated and don't have issues with background noises (like kids in the next room, or lawn mowers outside). Most of the people I work with are in less than ideal spaces. The people who I aim to help with my content (and my paid services) are busy business owners who create video content (or want to create video content) to generate leads for their business. They are experts in their field (which isn't audio or video), and I aim to simplify things for them. They want to improve their quality, but they're often not interested in chasing upgrades that go beyond the point of diminishing returns (for them). They also don't have ideal acoustic locations for filming content, so we're making due with less than ideal environments for recording. I help them find the best options for their goals, budget, and comfort level with tech.
I've used and owned a lot of great pro mics, and am usually wary of mics by brands that you don't see in the pro world... BUT, I have been impressed by the Maono HD300t lately, and it's a great looking piece of kit. Definitely on the brighter side but that's tamed a bit by its pop filter. +1 for outing the Yeti as problematic, I'd also have included the AT2020 which is *okay* (yeah Billie Eilish worked it well) but I think there are better sounding mics at that price point.
I swear by my two faves, the RE27 and the RE20. Both are “forever” mics!!! I use the RE27 the most but they are both amazing. Be careful buying used RE20’s as some may have the baby rattle issue and doing that repair is not for the faint of heart.
The Q2U is still a solid choice. The only real problem is it doesn't run on USB-C. On the other hand, you can skip the Q9U. The MV7 or Podmic USB are way better. For more affordable XLR microphone options (that aren't the infamous Behringer XM8500), the Zoom ZDM-1 has no business being as decent as it is. But I must concur that the RE20 is a forever mic. It's damn sexy, too.
2 feet is quite a big distance for any mic, but especially for dynamic mics. They're designed to be close. Why does it need to be 2 feet away? You could get an appropriate stand so it can be closer. If you HAVE to have it 2 feet away, a shotgun mic would be better. I have a video about shotgun mics that would be helpful if you want to go that route: ruclips.net/video/UvcHExcs4dc/видео.html
@haydenwayne637 For videos, when I use a shotgun mic, I use a Sennheiser MKE 600, which I would wager will sound better than most SDC's. BUT...While I do have some SDCs, I've only used them in music applications (drum overheads, a 2nd mic on an acoustic guitar, etc.). I haven't tried one for video. Maybe a shootout video is in order!
Hey NIck. Love your videos. Can you help me out with something? I really need an expert's advice. I am planning on buying my first mic: I am super inclined towards Q9U, but I am also confused between Podmic and Beyerdyanmics M70 pro x. Can you suggest me which one should I go for? I have heard the Podmic is bad at handling plosives. Can you suggest me Which one should I go for? Where I live Q9U is expensive them Podmic and M70 pro x
Do you already have an interface? You would need one if you buy an XLR only (non-USB) mic. Make sure you factor that into the price comparison. I believe there's a USB version of the PodMic, but not the M70. I think both of those are good options for you! I don't have either one of those, which is why I didn't feature them in this video (there are so many mics out there that are decent...I was just trying to stick to what I've personally used). If it were me, between those 2 I'd get which ever one was cheaper and came with whatever else I might need to buy (like a bundle that comes with a pop filter and/or boom arm, for instance). If you go with the PodMic, you can always use a pop filter or windscreen with it (there are tons of them out there...find something like amzn.to/3XXMOQy or amzn.to/4gImtgM that's available in your region). Also, the way you position the mic can often reduce or eliminate plosives. Check out this short video I made a while back with more info on that: ruclips.net/user/shortsJTVcHa2I0WE
@@nick_mags thank you so much for such a detailed reply Nick! Really appreciate it❤️. Yes I do have an interface. I have a motu M4. I searched a bit more and have decided to go for Se Electronics DCM 6. Actually sounded a bit nice than Podmic and M70
Condensers absolutely demolish any dynamic. Only time I use dynamic is because I have to for noise rejection not audio quality. Condenser quality is unmatched. And when you compare dynamic vs condenser you'd compare a RE20 which is a 450$ mic to a 450$ condenser, which really is the sweet spot for condensers these days. You are right that condensers are more sensitive and will require better sound treatment to get the higher quality and more richness. I use both kinds for various situations. But yeah if you want hassel free and great quality, RE20 would be my recommend. If you need better quality than an RE20 you'd already know why and how, and what it takes to get there. Good video.
I agree that condensers CAN BE great (good quality ones)...but the people who I usually work with are busy business owners who have no interest in being audio professionals, don't have treated spaces, and just want something that sounds great with little hassle (and noise rejection is key).
I agree! Now I probably could have spent more time in "post" (editing) and tried to beef up the SM7B and get them sounding close, but my whole point was to demonstrate the differences. And for my content and workflow, I want something that just sounds great with minimal effort in post. The SM7B always takes a little more effort than the RE20. For this video, I did do some post-processing to all of them and I didn't try to match them. Just did a quick clean up on each one. Maybe I could do a follow up sometime and include some raw sound clips to demonstrate what they sound like with no processing. I didn't think about that when I was filming this one.
Thank you for this. I’m really keen on the Shure ones
You're welcome! Shure makes great mics
Nothing beats the good old RE20!
🙌
RE20's are fantastic. We use them for our cartoon voice acting, especially during the day to cut back on outside noise. We're lucky enough to live in an area which is quiet at night (when we do use condensers), but to be honest... the RE20 (with a fethead) recordings are difficult to tell apart from the condensers anyway.
@@offplanetfilms I’ve never used a fethead, although I see them pop up anytime I look for gain boosters.
Are they just really clean, or do they add some mojo?
I’m a musician and before doing video I did some music recording and mixing, and have some nice external preamps that can add some nice color, if you want to (transformer based 500 series preamps).
@@nick_magsFetheads are really clean, and pair perfectly with an RE20. That combo directly into an interface sounds great without any EQ. For a little color, we do run into external preamps (either an ISA one for clean transformer mojo, or a UA 610 solo for a vintage warmth). We use different mics & preamp combos all the time to separate our character voices more.
Great Video! Thanks Nick :)
Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!
I did like the sound of all the microphones you recommended and found your ideas to be quite interesting. There was one thing that I heard through my headphones while you used all the mics. I think the sound was sometimes a bit nasal and then super pleasant again. This switched back and forth a bit and was somewhat distracting to me. Maybe this was on my end but I don't know and wanted to let you know, because I suppose it might have something to do with your edit. Anyways I really liked your style and presentation and am looking forward to more videos from you!
Interesting! Thanks for the feedback.
Sometimes I use some automated plugins to speed up the editing process, one of them being a "deplosive" tool that helps reduce any plosive sounds. Sometimes this can remove too much of the low end, and it might go in and out as it hits the threshold. I wonder if that's what's causing that pumping issue.
I also tend to reduce some of the mid-range frequencies and maybe I went too far, which could contribute to the nasaly thing.
Plus I edit on high end studio monitors and don't always do an audio check on other devices to see what they sound like. Maybe I should make that a regular part of my work flow.
@@nick_mags awesome response thanks for that. I think that the deplosive tool might have to do something with it. About a week or two ago I also tended to rely on my monitors, though not that high end, and was surprised how many more details I got through the headphones. Anyways it still is great content you make and I hope to see more!
@@fennixshark2584 Thanks! Sometimes I gotta balance my perfectionist tendencies with being practical. Done is better than perfect, but I struggle with that. So I'm trying to embrace it and just do what I can in the time I've allotted.
Thanks again for the feedback! I'm going to pay more attention to that in future videos.
For beginners on a budget I would suggest the xm8500 for the cheapest, the sm48, 57,58, the podmic and finally the podmic usb. I cant say this enough I love the podmic usb the most not only is it good in usb mode when you are ready to upgrade all you would need next is an interface. It has a better pop filter than the built in pop filter in the original plus you can pick a colorful pop filter to make it look good and fit your gear. For a interface i loved the minifuse 1.
@@theoutsiderjess1869 solid options for the lower budget range!
@@nick_mags I had to do alot of searching 4 years ago everyone said to buy a blue yeti and that was a mistake those mics are for gamers and even gamers are finally not picking these up anymore. then I found audio gear channels like podcastage and more had so much better options to chose from
What I hear you saying about condenser mics is that they’re too good, and pick up what’s really going on in the environment.
I’d say that if you lose viewers because of poor quality audio, you must not be saying anything worth coming back to.
I’ve been an audio engineer for over 40 years, and the intent is always to get the best sound possible. In live venues that can be challenging. In a home ‘studio’ where greater control is possible, just about any mic can be used effectively. As with many things, research can be valuable, but the internet today offers too many ‘experts’ with competing opinions.
Then again, I’m just one voice on the topic. Unfortunately finding 50 people saying the same thing doesn’t automatically make them right or wrong. What I’m saying is, new people should start small. I saw a video where the presenter was accidentally using the laptop built-in microphone and I couldn’t tell the difference. Most people watch videos on their phones, maybe with earbuds, so as long as the sound is not distorted or has too much background noise, who notices.
Thanks for taking the time to offer your thoughts!
Regarding condenser mics, my opinion is that unless your room is treated, you should skip them. Especially the lower end ones that have those wretched high end bumps to make them sound 'better' (which they all seem to have, in my experience). Better quality condensers can sound great...if your room is treated and don't have issues with background noises (like kids in the next room, or lawn mowers outside). Most of the people I work with are in less than ideal spaces.
The people who I aim to help with my content (and my paid services) are busy business owners who create video content (or want to create video content) to generate leads for their business. They are experts in their field (which isn't audio or video), and I aim to simplify things for them. They want to improve their quality, but they're often not interested in chasing upgrades that go beyond the point of diminishing returns (for them). They also don't have ideal acoustic locations for filming content, so we're making due with less than ideal environments for recording. I help them find the best options for their goals, budget, and comfort level with tech.
I've used and owned a lot of great pro mics, and am usually wary of mics by brands that you don't see in the pro world... BUT, I have been impressed by the Maono HD300t lately, and it's a great looking piece of kit. Definitely on the brighter side but that's tamed a bit by its pop filter.
+1 for outing the Yeti as problematic, I'd also have included the AT2020 which is *okay* (yeah Billie Eilish worked it well) but I think there are better sounding mics at that price point.
Oh and you can't go wrong with a Beta 58a, even though the Beta 57a looks cooler but to my ears just doesn't sound as "full"
I swear by my two faves, the RE27 and the RE20. Both are “forever” mics!!! I use the RE27 the most but they are both amazing. Be careful buying used RE20’s as some may have the baby rattle issue and doing that repair is not for the faint of heart.
Thanks for the tip on the baby rattle issue! And I haven't used an RE27 before. Maybe a shootout video is in order at some point!
The Q2U is still a solid choice. The only real problem is it doesn't run on USB-C. On the other hand, you can skip the Q9U. The MV7 or Podmic USB are way better.
For more affordable XLR microphone options (that aren't the infamous Behringer XM8500), the Zoom ZDM-1 has no business being as decent as it is.
But I must concur that the RE20 is a forever mic. It's damn sexy, too.
I haven't played with the ZDM-1. I may grab one and try it out sometime. Thanks for the suggestion!
Which of these would you say is the best for that senerio you said I put it like 2 feet away from me and I have a normal room with echo
2 feet is quite a big distance for any mic, but especially for dynamic mics. They're designed to be close.
Why does it need to be 2 feet away?
You could get an appropriate stand so it can be closer.
If you HAVE to have it 2 feet away, a shotgun mic would be better. I have a video about shotgun mics that would be helpful if you want to go that route: ruclips.net/video/UvcHExcs4dc/видео.html
A SDC/pencil condenser mic is best for this, better than a shotgun mic in a regular room.
@haydenwayne637 For videos, when I use a shotgun mic, I use a Sennheiser MKE 600, which I would wager will sound better than most SDC's. BUT...While I do have some SDCs, I've only used them in music applications (drum overheads, a 2nd mic on an acoustic guitar, etc.). I haven't tried one for video. Maybe a shootout video is in order!
Hey NIck. Love your videos. Can you help me out with something? I really need an expert's advice. I am planning on buying my first mic: I am super inclined towards Q9U, but I am also confused between Podmic and Beyerdyanmics M70 pro x. Can you suggest me which one should I go for? I have heard the Podmic is bad at handling plosives. Can you suggest me Which one should I go for? Where I live Q9U is expensive them Podmic and M70 pro x
Do you already have an interface? You would need one if you buy an XLR only (non-USB) mic. Make sure you factor that into the price comparison. I believe there's a USB version of the PodMic, but not the M70.
I think both of those are good options for you! I don't have either one of those, which is why I didn't feature them in this video (there are so many mics out there that are decent...I was just trying to stick to what I've personally used). If it were me, between those 2 I'd get which ever one was cheaper and came with whatever else I might need to buy (like a bundle that comes with a pop filter and/or boom arm, for instance).
If you go with the PodMic, you can always use a pop filter or windscreen with it (there are tons of them out there...find something like amzn.to/3XXMOQy or amzn.to/4gImtgM that's available in your region).
Also, the way you position the mic can often reduce or eliminate plosives. Check out this short video I made a while back with more info on that: ruclips.net/user/shortsJTVcHa2I0WE
@@nick_mags thank you so much for such a detailed reply Nick! Really appreciate it❤️.
Yes I do have an interface. I have a motu M4. I searched a bit more and have decided to go for Se Electronics DCM 6. Actually sounded a bit nice than Podmic and M70
Condensers absolutely demolish any dynamic. Only time I use dynamic is because I have to for noise rejection not audio quality.
Condenser quality is unmatched. And when you compare dynamic vs condenser you'd compare a RE20 which is a 450$ mic to a 450$ condenser, which really is the sweet spot for condensers these days.
You are right that condensers are more sensitive and will require better sound treatment to get the higher quality and more richness.
I use both kinds for various situations. But yeah if you want hassel free and great quality, RE20 would be my recommend.
If you need better quality than an RE20 you'd already know why and how, and what it takes to get there.
Good video.
I agree that condensers CAN BE great (good quality ones)...but the people who I usually work with are busy business owners who have no interest in being audio professionals, don't have treated spaces, and just want something that sounds great with little hassle (and noise rejection is key).
@@nick_mags yup RE20 can't be beat for that purpose.
Wow the Re20 made your voice sound so much more full.
I agree! Now I probably could have spent more time in "post" (editing) and tried to beef up the SM7B and get them sounding close, but my whole point was to demonstrate the differences. And for my content and workflow, I want something that just sounds great with minimal effort in post. The SM7B always takes a little more effort than the RE20.
For this video, I did do some post-processing to all of them and I didn't try to match them. Just did a quick clean up on each one.
Maybe I could do a follow up sometime and include some raw sound clips to demonstrate what they sound like with no processing. I didn't think about that when I was filming this one.
@@nick_mags Its good you didn't match them. Thanks for the video.
You're welcome!
Apart from the ignorant mis information, mostly bullshit.
@@raymota4515what exactly is ignorant, misinformation, or B.S.?