SM7 and RE20?

[corban]

I have an SM7 and am just wondering if the RE20 is significantly different? It would be nice to have something besides my ATM25 for kick, bass cabs, and I hear the RE20 is good on vocals too, but it seems like the RE20 might be pretty similar to what I already have with the shure.

 

[Supercreep]

I don't own an SM-7. However, the RE-20 is my go-to vocal mic. It sounds great on every source I point it at.

YMMV, but I love my RE-20.

 

[kidvybes]

I have an SM7 and am just wondering if the RE20 is significantly different? It would be nice to have something besides my ATM25 for kick, bass cabs, and I hear the RE20 is good on vocals too, but it seems like the RE20 might be pretty similar to what I already have with the shure.

...if you already have an SM7 than I'd recommend a Heil PR40 as another dynamic, but with a different flavor...sounds more "airy" and open than the SM7, more like a condenser mic, but more forgiving of ambient room noise, much like the SM7...I find that those two have become my "go to" vocal mics lately, due to the fact that I record in a relatively untreated space (using a microphone isolator)...the RE20 is, as you said, more like the SM7 while the Heil bridges the gap between dynamic and condenser mics...

 

[Big Kenny]

yup, he's right again........

 

[kidvybes]

yup, he's right again........

...aw, shucks...

 

[corban]

sweet. although... would you stick the Heil in a kick drum?

 

[kidvybes]

...I believe you certainly can (high SPL no problem)...check here for more info:
http://www.heilsound.com/pro/products/pr40/

 

[jasonbmerrill]

I was actually wondering the other way around

should i get an sm7 ewhen i already have an RE20?

 

[LemonTree]

I was actually wondering the other way around

should i get an sm7 ewhen i already have an RE20?

swapshop.....

 

[pohaku]

I was actually wondering the other way around

should i get an sm7 ewhen i already have an RE20?

I'd say yes. I have both. The SM7 is a more universally usable vocal mic than the RE-20 (although the RE-20 is great on some voices). IMHO, the SM7 sounds better on more voices than the RE-20, although both are good vocal mics. I like the RE-20 better on brass, bass and kick. I like the SM7 better on cabs.

 

[Big Kenny]

If I could only have one mic, it would be the SM7.

 

[bigtoe]

i dig em both - they aren't redundant at all. when one doesn't work - the other does. if you have leads with the sm7 use the re20 for backing. i wouldn't want to walk into a vocal session without either.

check for the pl20 - same mic.

that said - the sm7 is really the coolest mic in that it does so much well. if you're on jobs that don't give you a lot of time - it's insanely easy to keep overdub sessions moving with it and a couple different pres...when they stop - throw up the re20.

Mike

 

[in a little row]

this pretty much expresses my feelings on the question

 

[mixsit]

The RE20's unique traits; Flat' off axsis, and a directional with no-proximity- which plays however into their go-no go position where a vocalist might want to 'work the mic.
I wish they were smaller, I'd use them more often live on our acoustic instruments.

 

[mrface2112]

I've got an RE38, which is a sibling to the RE20. It's a wonderful vocal mic, great on guitar cabinets, and nice in kick drums (although i tend to prefer the beta 52 for that these days). Very similar sounding to the RE20.

If i already had an SM7, I would look at either the aforementioned heil pr40 or a sennheiser 421 instead of the RE20. Hard to beat the 421 on a guitar cabinet, and it's nice on kick and some vocals too. However, with the shoes reversed (already owning an RE20), I would put the SM7 at the top of my list.

That said....it seems if the OP is looking for a mic to handle primarily vocals and low end duties (kick, bass amps). If that's indeed the case, stick with the SM7 for vocals and get a Beta 52 for your kick and bass. Your mixes will thank you. Use the SM7 on the snare or a tom.


cheers,
wade

 

[darrin_h2000]

If you want a reccomendation for an SM7...look at how many records in the top 20 of all time that were recorded with one on the vocalsId have to say a pretty big percentage with it being the go to for Led Zep...and Micheal Jackson...etc.

 

[yellowdot]

i use SM7, and it works great for me.

 

[Rader Ranch]

All I can say is, having an SM7, RE20, and RE27, is that they're different in a specific source-dependent way. I now have a PR20 and PR35, but have not yet tracked with them enough to have much in the way of comparisons to offer, other than to say they're different too, heh.

To the original posting re: 'are they different enough'....If more flavors is the goal I'd shoot for the Heil's or something else before getting an RE20 as an alternative color to an SM7. But the RE's are damned impressive looking

 

[soundchaser59]

I was actually wondering the other way around

should i get an sm7 ewhen i already have an RE20?

Only if you are looking for a reason to sell your RE20.

I really like most EV mics, especially the RE20, but with all due respect to EV, the SM7 beats it by a mile. That says a lot because the RE20 is one heckuva great mic. I loved my RE20 for a long time.......but I sold it quick after I got an SM7. The SM7 is much better for vocals, and the ND468 is just as good as the RE20 for guitar cab, so I stuck with the SM7 and the 468.