Video: https://youtu.be/wnEGw0_zjGc
Today I review a handheld condenser mic from Electro Voice the RE520. This thing sounds like a brighter RE20 with a bit of heft in the bass, relatively neutral mid section and then a bump in the top end which offers some nice clarity without sounding too overboosted. It does great with handling noise rejection and pretty well with background noise. It suffers from plosives and if the grill is removed it becomes ungrounded and hums.
RECORDING SETTINGS:
Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: ~3:00
Boosted in Post: +4dB
SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Supercardioid
Freq Response : 40Hz - 20khz
Sensitivity: -45dB
Max SPL: 150 dB
Self Noise: 17dBA
Impedance: 200 Ohms
Power Requirement: 48V DC Phantom Power
Spec Sheet: https://products.electrovoice.com/binary/RE520_Condenser_supercardioid_vocal_microphone_Datasheet_51_en_31631879435.pdf
Buy the Electo Voice RE520 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/RE520
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/re520
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3EHtZqn
Thomann: https://www.thomannmusic.com/ev_re520.htm?offid=1&affid=2060
Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42lcWDF
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?offid=1&affid=2060
NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.
00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:24 - What’s in the Box
00:42 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:11 - Specifications
01:27 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:50 - Plosive Test
02:10 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:30 - Background Noise Test
02:49 - Untreated Room Test
03:10 - Shock Rejection Test
03:28 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:42 - Handling Noise Test
03:53 - Cup the Mic Test
04:14 - High Pass Filter Test
04:56 - Intro to Comparison
05:12 - Shure SM58 Comparison
05:40 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison
06:06 - Audio Technica AT2010 Comparison
06:32 - Electro Voice ND76 Comparison
07:01 - Lewitt MTP350CM Comparison
07:28 - Rode M2 Comparison
07:55 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
08:29 - Shure Beta87a Comparison
09:04 - Electro Voice RE20 Comparison
09:40 - Neumann KMS105 Comparison
10:15 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
10:45 - Music Test
12:17 - Pros & Cons
13:35 - Overall Thoughts
15:21 - Recommendation