EV RE20 vs. Shure SM7, opinions on two fine dynamics?

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hungovermorning

Dr. Caveman.
I've read a ton of these threads and strangely have never seen these two compared. Has anybody had experience with both. Here are some questions in specific reference to vocals:

Which works better with the male voice?
What range is accented with it?
Which also works well with a higher female voice?
What happens when you yell into it/ speak into it?
Which works well in a live setting?

I'm beginning to really like dynamics for vocals even out of the live setting and any help with someone who has had BOTH would be appreciated. Thanks!
scott
 
You may want to check out the new Heil line of dynamics as well. Something I;ve been meaning to do when i get a chance - a lot of nice talk about them...
 
littledog said:
You may want to check out the new Heil line of dynamics as well. Something I;ve been meaning to do when i get a chance - a lot of nice talk about them...
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...I have the Heil PR40 and I have an SM7B (I don't have an RE20)...I can vouch for both the Shure and the Heil...the Shure is a classic dynamic broadcast style mic (one of my favorites)...but the Heil has a sound that combines the best of both the dynamic and a condenser mic sound...more clarity in both the bottom and upper frequencies than the Shure...you gotta hear this mic to fully appreciate it's quality...bigups to Bob Heil on his PR series dynamics...unique and very capable recording tools...
 
Re20 or SM57

Two great mic’s, but very different. The EV Re20 would be much better for vocals in the studio, Stevie Wonder used to record all his vocals with the RE20. Most of all his early recording are with it. I’m not to sure about the stuff he is recording today. I have used the RE20 for vocals in the past, but it’s not in the top 10 mic’s I would use for vocals. For the price of the RE20 you can find some much better vocal mic’s.

The Shure SM57 is one of the most useful tools in the studio. I’m not sure I would record any master vocals with it, but I have used them for guide vocals. I like the SM57 on instruments, like guitar, snare drum, toms, and other high level instruments.

I know I have been talking about using the mic’s in the studio; If you are going to use one of them to gig with, I would used the SM57. For the price you will not find a better mic.

I for more information on recording and equipment listen to my new Podcast at www.recordingwithoutrules.com.

Lee Watters
 
LWatters said:
Two great mic’s, but very different. The EV Re20 would be much better for vocals in the studio, Stevie Wonder used to record all his vocals with the RE20. Most of all his early recording are with it. I’m not to sure about the stuff he is recording today. I have used the RE20 for vocals in the past, but it’s not in the top 10 mic’s I would use for vocals. For the price of the RE20 you can find some much better vocal mic’s.

The Shure SM57 is one of the most useful tools in the studio. I’m not sure I would record any master vocals with it, but I have used them for guide vocals. I like the SM57 on instruments, like guitar, snare drum, toms, and other high level instruments.

I know I have been talking about using the mic’s in the studio; you post was not clear if you are planning on recording or playing live with these mic’s. If you are going to use gig with one of them, I would used the SM57. For the price you will not find a better mic.

I for more information on recording and equipment listen to my new Podcast at www.recordingwithoutrules.com.

Lee Watters
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I'd like to clarify, although your feedback is very appreciated, I asked about the SM7, not the SM57. I've used a 57 on everything (including live vocals, always cut through the mix on a bad pa). The sm7 I have no experience with and was looking for a comparison to an re20. Thanks again.
 
My Bad!

Sorry, I need to slow down when reading. Out of the two, I would use the RE20. The SM7 is not a good vocal mic, it's great for voice over or radio.
 
I have been told that the RE20 vs. the SM7B is basically a wash. Six of one, half a dozen of the other so to speak. Please do not listen to people who tell you that one or the other is not suitable for your application. What ever gets you the sound you want is exactly the microphone you want. I have experience with the SM7B and I love it, although a RE20 is on my wish list.

Luck
 
The SM7 can be an absolutely great vocal mic. It has beat out everything else for that duty in all my recent projects, including a C414, an AT-4050, a GT MD3 and a Neumann Gefell 582h (and the RE-20). Apparently it was good enough for Michael Jackson for Thriller. Tweedy in Wilco is using it and Tim O'Regan, the Jayhawks drummer, just used it exclusively for his new solo album to name a few artists currently using it. It's not just for voice overs. I find the sound of the RE-20 and SM7 to be quite similar. Like most mics, you have to see how they work with each individual voice. Lately, the SM7 seems to be the choice. On the other hand, I really like the RE-20 on horns and bass cabs.
 
LWatters said:
The SM7 is not a good vocal mic...
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Except on Thriller, and pretty much half of all loud rock singers recorded in the last 20 years or so. :D
 
While never my first choice, the SM7 ends up being used a lot by voices that just don't condenser well. Especially useful with singers who vary their volume a bunch. I can rise the fader a lot easier with the sm7 than any other mic. Always a true representation of what was put out.
 
LWatters said:
The SM7 is not a good vocal mic.
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Rarely have I read a sentence in more need of the words "in my opinion". There are alot of uses for the SM7, including worldclass vocal takes.
 
pohaku said:
On the other hand, I really like the RE-20 on horns and bass cabs.
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I second that,
I think it can be good for upright bass as well.
 
I have RE27 and find it to be a really versitile mic, I use it on kick and vocals vocals. it tones down the high end a bit perhaps or bumps the lows, either way I think it is great with vocals for a deeper "voice of god" kind of sound. Not as good at cutting through a mix as many condensors, but that probably says more about my lack of talent than the mic. i used it alot before i was able to make some improvements to my room and it was much easdier to work with than the really sensitive condensors at the time.

I got mine used for less than $250, for that it is a no brainer.

no experience with a SM7

Daav
 
Interesting that your RE27 tones down the highs. I find it to be quite a bright mic, especially compared to the RE20. Mine is actually brighter than some of my large diaphragm condensers (like a Lawson L47 or an AT 4060). But maybe you are comparing it to some of those really bright Chinese mics.
 
I have an RE20 and an SM7. To me, one major thing that differentiates the two mic is that the RE20 has the least amount of proximity effect I have found on a dynamic mic. I think that's one reason why it works so well on kick drum and bass guitars. The proximity effect is minimized on the SM7 but not to the degree of the RE20, and is probably why singers would feel more comfortable with the SM7 than the RE20. The SM7 also has a presence boost switch, which changes the character of the mic.
 
i use the re20 and SM7 for vocals all the time. pretty much exclusively in the last 2 years.

generally - the re20 is more open. the sm7 is thicker.

i prefer the sm7 most times though the re20 with a dense pre is cool. the re20 can get kinda edgy/peaky depending on the pre.

i think both kick ass over most other mics i used to use...in that the sound is easy to get, fast. 414, um70, coles were my old go to choices. once i got the sm7 it was like...whew...plus i was recording to digital...so the old ones were kinda rough...

remember - the PL20 is the re20.

edit - to the poster above - excellent points!

Mike
 
Big Kenny said:
While never my first choice, the SM7 ends up being used a lot by voices that just don't condenser well. Especially useful with singers who vary their volume a bunch. I can rise the fader a lot easier with the sm7 than any other mic. Always a true representation of what was put out.
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Thanks BK,

I was debating to use a LDC or the RE-27 for this female vocal I am recording next week. She is VERY dynamic, so I am going to go with the RE-27.
 
theres a fellow selling an re20 for $100 on craigslist here.. if i wasn't so tight with money this month it would already be in my hands. i thought about buying it just to resell on ebay..
 
buy it and I'd gladly let you make a quick $50 off me.
Thanks for all the responses thus far. Keep thee debate rolling!
 
Sm7

Don't get me wrong, I love the SM7 it's a great mic. I just don't like it on vocals in the studio. I don't think I would use an RE20 as a first choice either. Most of the time i will start with a C-12 or U-67 for vocals.
 
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