If you’re serious about podcasting, streaming, or live broadcasting, you’ve likely heard the buzz around the Electro-Voice RE20. This dynamic microphone has earned its spot as an industry standard, praised for its exceptional sound quality and robust design. But does it truly live up to the hype?
In this Electro-Voice RE20 Review, we’ll cut through the noise and dive into what makes the RE20 stand out—or fall short—so you can decide if it’s the right mic for your setup. Let’s break down everything you need to know before making that investment.
Key Takeaways
- Exceptional Sound Quality: The Electro-Voice RE20 delivers clear, natural audio with minimal background noise, ideal for professional recordings.
- Durable and Versatile: Built to last, the RE20 is perfect for podcasters, streamers, broadcasters, and musicians alike.
- Variable-D Technology: Ensures consistent sound quality regardless of distance from the microphone, making it highly adaptable for dynamic environments.
- Overall Rating: Rating: 4.5/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐✨
Electro-Voice RE20 Overview
For those short on time, here’s a quick look at what the Electro-Voice RE20 has to offer. Whether you’re recording a podcast, live streaming, or even capturing instrumentals, this mic is designed to deliver professional-grade sound without breaking a sweat.
- Industry-Standard Dynamic Microphone: Widely used in broadcasting and podcasting for its rich, authentic sound quality.
- Variable-D Technology: Eliminates proximity effect, ensuring consistent sound quality even if you or your guest move around.
- Superior Noise Rejection: Designed to filter out background noise, allowing clean recordings in less-than-ideal environments.
- Durable Build: Built to last with a rugged metal body, although it can be bulky for some setups.
Pros & Cons
| Pros | Cons |
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| ✔️ Excellent sound clarity – Captures deep, natural tones for vocals and instruments. | ❌ Bulky design – Can be tricky to mount. |
| ✔️ Great noise rejection – Filters out unwanted background noise effectively. | ❌ Not budget-friendly – Higher price tag. |
| ✔️ Variable-D technology – Ensures uniform sound even with movement. |
Electro-Voice RE20 Key Features
The Electro-Voice RE20 is not just another dynamic microphone; it’s a staple in the world of professional broadcasting and podcasting, known for its unmatched sound quality and rugged design. Let’s dive deeper into what makes this microphone stand out.
Design and Build Quality
The RE20’s design is simple yet robust, reflecting its no-frills focus on performance and durability. It’s constructed to last, with a metal casing that feels substantial and secure. While the size can be a challenge for some setups, the durability and sound performance far outweigh the minor inconvenience.
- Resistant to RF interference and external noise disruptions.
- Heavy-duty metal housing designed for long-term use.
- Simple, durable design optimized for studio and live environments.
- Bulkier build compared to some competitors, making mounting more challenging.
Sound Quality
The RE20 is renowned for its superior sound quality, delivering rich, warm tones that capture the true essence of the human voice and instruments. It’s a dynamic microphone designed to handle a wide frequency range, producing crisp highs and deep lows without requiring extensive EQ adjustments.
- Rich, natural sound perfect for vocals, radio broadcasts, and instruments.
- Wide frequency response captures both highs and lows with precision.
- Built-in pop filter reduces plosives, ensuring clear and clean recordings.
- Great rejection of background noise, ideal for noisy environments.
Durability
The Electro-Voice RE20 is crafted to endure. Its metal casing doesn’t just protect it from accidental drops but also minimizes external interference, such as RF noise from nearby electronic devices.
Whether you’re taking it on the road or using it daily in a studio setting, the RE20 is built to last, resisting general wear and tear effortlessly. This microphone can easily survive years of use without showing signs of degradation in either sound quality or physical integrity.
Variable-D Technology: Consistency in Every Recording
The RE20 features Electro-Voice’s patented Variable-D technology, which is truly what sets this microphone apart. This feature eliminates the common issue known as the proximity effect, where microphones tend to pick up bass-heavy sounds when the speaker gets too close. With the RE20, you get consistent audio quality no matter how far you move from the mic.
This makes it perfect for environments where movement is common—whether you’re a dynamic speaker, adjusting your seating position, or moving in front of an instrument. No more sudden drops in sound quality when you shift during a recording.
In short, the RE20 delivers a uniform and balanced sound, ensuring that your voice remains natural and clear even if you’re not locked in a fixed position in front of the mic.
Compatibility with Accessories
Though the RE20 is bulkier than many competitors, it’s highly compatible with a range of accessories. Whether you’re looking for a shock mount to reduce handling noise or a mic stand for a stationary setup, there are plenty of third-party options to choose from.
However, Electro-Voice also offers bundles that include everything you might need, such as stands, XLR cables, and even windscreens. For those concerned with audio fidelity, adding a high-quality shock mount can enhance the already excellent noise rejection and ensure your recordings are free from unwanted vibrations.
Versatility for Different Recording Environments
The RE20 is incredibly versatile, making it suitable for a variety of recording environments. Whether you’re using it for a podcast, live radio show, or capturing instrumentals in a studio, this mic delivers consistent, high-quality sound, adapting to different setups effortlessly.
- Handles different acoustic spaces, from quiet rooms to more dynamic setups.
- Perfect for podcasts, live streams, and radio shows.
- Handles instrument recording (e.g., electric bass, acoustic guitars) with ease.
- Performs well in studio or live environments, making it highly adaptable.
When Compared to Other Mics
When choosing the right microphone, it’s essential to compare the Electro-Voice RE20 with its top competitors. Here’s how the RE20 stacks up against four popular alternatives in the market.
Electro-Voice RE20 vs. Shure SM7B
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$449.00
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$399.00
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Both the Electro-Voice RE20 and Shure SM7B are industry standards for podcasting, broadcasting, and studio work. They offer superb sound quality but differ in design and sound profiles.
- Sound Profile: The SM7B is known for its smooth, warm sound, often preferred for vocals and spoken word. In contrast, the RE20 offers a slightly more neutral sound with better low-end clarity, making it versatile for both speech and instruments.
- Proximity Effect: Thanks to its Variable-D technology, the RE20 has minimal proximity effect, providing consistent sound regardless of distance. The SM7B, while excellent for close-mic applications, exhibits more bass when used closely.
- Build & Durability: Both microphones are durable, but the RE20’s metal housing is bulkier and built to withstand heavy-duty use. The SM7B, while solid, is more compact.
- Price: The SM7B tends to be slightly more expensive than the RE20, though both fall in a similar premium price range.
Electro-Voice RE20 vs. Rode PodMic
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$449.00
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$99.00
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The Rode PodMic is a budget-friendly option compared to the RE20, and while it’s a solid choice for beginners, it doesn’t quite match the RE20’s versatility and audio performance.
- Sound Profile: The PodMic offers clear and natural sound but lacks the depth and richness that the RE20 provides. The RE20’s broader frequency response captures a wider range of tones, making it more suitable for professional-level recordings.
- Durability: Both mics are well-built, but the RE20’s larger, rugged design makes it more resistant to wear and tear. The PodMic is smaller and lighter, making it a convenient choice for those with limited space.
- Features: While the PodMic has solid noise rejection, the RE20’s Variable-D technology takes it a step further by eliminating proximity effect, giving it a distinct advantage in dynamic recording environments.
- Price: The Rode PodMic is significantly cheaper, making it a good entry-level option, but the RE20 offers much more in terms of sound quality and versatility.
Electro-Voice RE20 vs. Audio-Technica AT2020
The Audio-Technica AT2020 is a popular entry-level condenser microphone often used in home studios. While the AT2020 has its place, especially for budget-conscious buyers, it differs greatly from the RE20 in terms of design and use case.
- Dynamic vs. Condenser: The RE20 is a dynamic mic, ideal for rejecting background noise and capturing natural vocals in live settings. The AT2020, being a condenser mic, is more sensitive to quieter sounds but also picks up more room noise, making it less ideal for untreated spaces.
- Sound Profile: The AT2020 offers crisp highs and a detailed sound profile, but it can sound thinner compared to the warm, full-bodied sound of the RE20, especially for voice and instruments.
- Build Quality: The RE20’s rugged metal build outshines the AT2020’s lighter construction. The AT2020 is durable for its class but not as tough or versatile as the RE20.
- Price: The AT2020 is much more affordable, making it a go-to for beginners or casual users. However, the RE20 justifies its higher price with superior sound isolation, build quality, and long-term durability.
Electro-Voice RE20 vs. Sennheiser MD 421-II
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$449.00
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$364.99
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Both the Electro-Voice RE20 and Sennheiser MD 421-II are dynamic microphones known for their versatility, but they have slightly different strengths.
- Sound Profile: The MD 421-II is highly regarded for instrument recording, particularly for drums and guitars, due to its ability to capture transient details. The RE20, while also excellent for instruments, excels in vocal clarity, making it more of an all-rounder.
- Proximity Effect: The RE20’s Variable-D technology gives it an edge when it comes to controlling proximity effect, providing consistent sound. The MD 421-II lacks this technology and may emphasize low frequencies if used too closely.
- Durability: Both microphones are built to last, with the MD 421-II being slightly lighter. The RE20, with its thicker metal casing, may be more resilient to physical damage.
- Price: The MD 421-II is often priced similarly to the RE20, with both being premium mics. Deciding between them often comes down to whether you prioritize vocal recording (RE20) or instrument versatility (MD 421-II).
Who is Electro-Voice RE20 Best For?
The Electro-Voice RE20 is a versatile microphone suitable for various recording scenarios, delivering exceptional sound quality for different user groups. Whether you’re a podcaster, streamer, radio host, or musician, this microphone provides the professional clarity and consistency needed to elevate your content. Here’s a quick breakdown of who will benefit most from using the RE20.
- Podcasters: Ideal for home studios with great noise rejection.
- Streamers: Perfect for live streaming with clear, consistent vocals.
- Radio Hosts: Reliable for live broadcasts with rich vocal quality.
- Musicians: Great for recording instruments with dynamic range.
- Voiceover Artists: Broadcast-ready clarity for professional voice work.
Bundles & Accessories
The Electro-Voice RE20 is often available in bundles, providing essential accessories to enhance your recording setup. These bundles offer great value, especially for beginners looking for a complete package without needing to source separate components. For professionals, the included accessories can add convenience and save time.
- RE20 with Mic Stand: Includes a stable stand for easy setup.
- RE20 with XLR Cable: Comes with a high-quality cable for clear sound.
- RE20 with Shock Mount: Reduces vibrations for cleaner recordings.
- RE20 with Pop Filter: Minimizes plosives for professional vocal quality.
- Value for Beginners: Bundles offer everything needed for an all-in-one solution.
- Value for Professionals: Convenient, time-saving packages with premium accessories.
FAQs
Can the Electro-Voice RE20 be used for recording instruments?
Yes, the RE20 is versatile enough for recording instruments, particularly low-frequency ones like bass guitars and kick drums.
Does the Electro-Voice RE20 require phantom power?
No, the RE20 is a dynamic microphone, so it does not need phantom power to operate.
Is the Electro-Voice RE20 compatible with USB audio interfaces?
Yes, you can connect the RE20 to USB interfaces using an XLR-to-USB converter or directly via an audio interface with XLR inputs.
How does the Electro-Voice RE20 handle plosive sounds?
The RE20 has an internal pop filter that helps minimize plosive sounds, reducing the need for an external pop filter in most cases.
Final Thoughts
The Electro-Voice RE20 is an industry-standard microphone, perfect for podcasters, streamers, and broadcasters seeking professional-level sound quality. Its Variable-D technology ensures consistent audio, while its durable build makes it a long-lasting investment.
Whether you’re recording vocals or instruments, the RE20 excels with clear, natural sound and superior noise rejection. While it may be bulkier than some alternatives, the exceptional performance and versatility make it well worth the investment for anyone serious about content creation or broadcasting.
