Electro-Voice RE20-BLACK Dynamic Broadcast Announcer Microphone, Black (RE20)

The Electro-Voice RE20 is a legendary microphone that has been a staple in broadcasting since its introduction in 1968. Its Variable-D technology minimizes proximity effect, ensuring consistent sound quality even with close-miking techniques. The RE20's rugged, industrial design not only appeals to my aesthetic preferences but also delivers exceptional durability. In comparison to the Shure SM7B, another popular choice among podcasters and YouTubers, I find the RE20's sound profile better complements my voice, providing clean and crisp audio that enhances my recordings. While the RE20 may not have the sleek appearance of some competitors, its performance and reliability make it a superior choice for those seeking professional-grade sound quality. Although it's an investment, the RE20's proven track record and exceptional build quality make it worth every penny. I couldn't be happier with this purchase and highly recommend it to anyone serious about their audio production.

i was able to finally purchase a couple of these last year as they were on my long time wish list being a 26 year radio DJ veteran the station where I do my shows still have the same RE20 mic in the studio they had when I first began in 1996 ( the label lists Electro voice being in Buchanan Michigan while the current label lists Burnsville Minnesota) their Mic still works and sounds great considering its age and for me there is no substitute for Good Quality when you buy an RE 20 keep in mind You're paying more for Quality And not so much for Advertising and to me its well worth the Investment just make sure you take The Best care of this Microphone and it will always be reliable I love my EV mics so much I replaced all the cheaper copycats with them they work well with voices and instruments hence its versatility I Highly recommend The RE20 it is pricey but worth it and if you can get it on sale ( which happens on occasion) thats the best time to get one or two UPDATE 9-30-2021 after a year I'm still very Happy with my RE20s as a seasoned Radio and Pro audio geek I can say by experience This is the very best mic you can get for the money and in my experience no cheaper copy cat mic can ever come close to the EV RE series ( my favorites being this and The omnidirectional 635 A and it's longer handle version) ANOTHER UPDATE 7-20-2023 Since my last review I bought a couple more of these I continue to have excellent results with this very fine microphone the RE20 Is permanently my daily driver in my home studio and I expect them to outlive me and I hope to pass them down to my Grandchildren someday as souvenirs of my years of radio and recording hopefully that will be Many Many years away but meanwhile I will continue using this versatile tool very gladly.

Wasted your time with cheap mics like Yeti Blues or $100-200 mics? Well, I did too and I wasn't happy about it. I spend a ton of time watching reviews and comparisons, history, and sound samples and this is where I ended up at. Having been used for vocals on several famous records in the 60's alone and continues to be used in just about every studio. Not to mention that it's a staple in just about every radio station or broadcast session. Here's my big takeaways and why this is my fav mic: 1) Cost is relatively low compared to high end mics. Expensive for small time or beginner podcasters or musicians but will last you a lifetime and you'll still be at the top of your game. 2) Rejects background noise VERY well. If you are in an untreated room (i.e. you don't have acoustic panels etc.) this can still sound really great. 3) Built in Pop filter that can handle most plosives without requiring a separate Pop filter (your mileage may vary though depending your voice). Speak into the mic off center if it's an issue. 4) Great at handling proximity effect - you don't have to worry about your tone changing if you aren't always on top of the mic. 5) Built like a tank - this thing will be around after the bombs drop with cockroaches and Keith Richards.

I am an independent hip hop producer/ artist. I love this mic because of its versatility. It's gonna capture those lower freqs on the vocals much better than the staple home studio MXL900 mic. It seems a favorite in the hip hop world...at least for beginners. I added the RE20 into the mix with a AKG Perception 100 (which really does no justice for lows). When used together as an acoustic equalization...very nice sounds. Back to the RE20... If the vocalist has a high voice, its a great mic and if the vocalist has a more bassy voice...its a great mic. You might be using a rolloff a bit though as it seems to capture those freqs well. As it advertises, you can get all up in the mic as most rappers do. I emphasize rappers because the abrasiveness of the style in its attack. I am currently powered by an M-Audio Ultra Track preamp...which as a 45db gain on it. Many say the RE20 will need a really high boost. I'm not going to agree. With the preamp I'm using, the pot is turned up a little passed the half way mark, leaving plenty of head room. As you can see, its construction is also worthy of the title "workhorse". I hate the default mic holder, though...so wimpy and non adjustable. While the fancy upgrade does look a lot nicer and is more secure, you CAN find the right angle to place the mic w/o it falling over. This kinda depends on you needs for mic placement. If you need the mic to be parallel to the ground...get the upgrade. If you can work with the mic at a 45 degree angle, pointing upward..the stand holder will work. As for the price...GREATNESS!...Some of the other sites are asking for $700-$800. Craziness. Thank you AMAZON.com Guy Shifty

A legendary microphone that will last two lifetimes. Looks cooler than SM7B, sounds surprisingly great on acoustic guitar, and nails bass and electrics. I do have to do some de-essing on vocals with it as I find it very sibilant

The best mic I ever have!!!!! Everything works as it should

I went through several different mics, in several different price ranges, trying to find what I liked best for my voice. This is definitely The One! There's a reason it's been an industry standard for so long! Sounds great and built like a tank. If you can budget for it, it is absolutely worth the cost! Incredibly happy with my decision.

Although this microphone has a lot of potential, the microphone has issues that have not been addressed by the company. I had seen complaints online about it beforehand but was hoping they were a small percentage. It's something to do with manufacturing changes made after 2012 that leads to the microphone sometimes accentuating and boosting the electrical noises that it's meant to get rid of. Regardless, i bought this microphone to replace my SM7B because I liked the audio overall more than the SM7B in the comparisons I saw online for voice/guitar and was hoping I would not get one of the faulty mics. I ended up with the annoying coil/electrical noise sadly. Not worth the risk of investment/time to repeatedly go through a return and replacement process to receive a working one for me. I've seen complaints that even if you get a working one, it could be faulty within a few months. Maybe that risk or extra effort isn't as annoying for you. Edit: I ended up getting a replacement because I just like the audio so much more than the SM7B. The buzz still exists with this model if I have the chain as microphone -> cable -> fethead -> interface. However, this time the buzz gets removed if the chain is set as microphone -> fethead -> cable -> interface. With my first mic, the noise persisted regardless of how I set up the chain. I am happy with the results so far. Hopefully it doesn't malfunction. Will update the post if it does.