Today i review the Neat Worker Bee 2, a budget condenser microphone. This has no switches or filters, it simply offers a cardioid polar pattern and a slight V-shape sound profile. It has a powerful low end, slightly recessed mid section and a clear top end. It does a sub par job at plosive rejection and the shock rejection also leaves a little bit to be desired, so it would have been fantastic for this to come with a shockmount and pop filter, but at the price, I can't complain too much.
RECORDING SETTINGS:
Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: +31dB
Boosted in Post: +11dB
SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz
Sensitivity: ~ -34.5dB
Max SPL: 145dB
Impedance: 50-ohms
Buy the Neat Worker Bee 2 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/workbee2
Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204th
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204th
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3DLyvHf
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531
NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.
00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:28 - What’s in the Box
00:53 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:18 - Specifications
01:30 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:47 - Plosive Test
02:07 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:33 - Background Noise Test
02:49 - Untreated Room Test
03:11 - Shock Rejection Test
03:31 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:44 - Mic Comparison Intro
04:19 - Neat Worker Bee 1 Comparison
04:39 - Neat King Bee 1 Comparison
05:02 - Neewer NW700 Comparison
05:28 - Mackie EM91c Comparison
05:55 - Tascam TM80 Comparison
06:17 - MXL 990 Comparison
06:43 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
07:09 - sE Electronics X1a Comparison
07:36 - Lewitt LCT240 Comparison
08:02 - AKG P120 Comparison
08:27 - Shure PGA181 Comparison
08:49 - Neat King Bee v2 Comparison
09:16 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison
09:42 - Shure SM57 Comparison
10:10 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
10:34 - Neumann U87Ai Comparison
11:03 - Music Test
12:51 - Pros & Cons
14:17 - Overall Thoughts
15:42 - Recommendation