Is the RE-20 a low output mic????

[FZfile]

I just picked up a used RE-20.
I used it yesterday in a gurilla session and found that this mic put out a very weak signal.
I tried micing my guitar amp and some vocals just for kicks and had to really crank the gain up to get a decent signal.

I ran it through an ART MP (I know, I know) and then into my vs880.
With the Art up to 8 on the input and maxed out put, I still had to use a little bit of the trim on the 880 to get a solid signal.

Also....when I did record the guitar and vox they both had a "dark" sound to them......like veiled and little top end or presence.

Did i get a bum mic.
Compared to my 57, nt3, and even an ECM800 I had to use WAY more gain on the RE-20 to get a signal of comprable strength.

-mike

 

[fishtop_records]

Comparted to a condenser, the RE-20 is very low
output. Condernser mics have preamplifers
(or pre-preamps) inside. So they are much hotter
than dymanics.

The RE-20 is probably "low output" in that
it needs a fair amount of gain, but not
as low as a ribbon mic. Being lower than a SM57
is typical, altho I never measured the relative difference
to know.

Can you find someone else with one locally that
you can compare it against?