next up a great all-around dynamic- RE20, 421 or SM7?

[twentyhertz]

Like the title says I need an excellent all around dynamic. Of the 3 I'm thinking about I only have direct experience with the RE20 and The MD421, both as kick mics. The RE20 killed, the 421 was ok.

So for kick, bass and guitar cabs and maybe the occasional vocal track (but this is definitely a secondary requirement) which of these is the best all around? I realize everyone is going to have their opinion, hoping for opinions from folks who have used all 3 of these mics.

Thanks

[twentyhertz]

I guess the Heil PR-40 might fit in this same category although I haven't heard as much about it (as an all arounder) on this board..

[pasarski]

Why not a SM57? That would be my choice.

[twentyhertz]

Originally Posted by pasarski

Why not a SM57? That would be my choice.

Um I have one and it's ok on guitar cabs. Not much of a vocal mic though, and I've never had much luck with it on the kick.

[pasarski]

You have to try 57 with a pop filter and a reasonable distance, let say 4-8 inches (to eliminate the "air flow artifacts") and it's very close to SM7 (EDIT: for vocals. For kick it's ok but rarely great). But if you have the money just go for the SM7 or the RE20, probably wont go wrong with either one. 421's also great but not really a good vocal mic by any means (I think..)

[pasarski]

Have to throw in a MD441 also. It was my favorite in "Drum mic maddness" shootout for inside kick..

[Dr Gris]

Originally Posted by twentyhertz

I guess the Heil PR-40 might fit in this same category although I haven't heard as much about it (as an all arounder) on this board..

I would say a PR-30 is more allround, I have both and prefer that one most of the times.

/M

[Jamie Mac]

+1 on the 441

I have two and they never let me down. A lot more versatile then the 421 I think.

[appleburger]

CAD m179, not dynamic but good all around mic! i don't know about kick though.

[contrattore]

you should consider the Beyerdynamic m88 too.
it's a great mic, very good for amps, kick and vocals.

[Dr Gris]

Heh, well here we have them all again: RE-20, MD-421, MD-441, SM57, PR-30, PR-40,
M-88, all VERY GOOD Dynamic mic´s and also the Condenser CAD M-179.
I´m surprised the SM-7b has´nt been recomended yet....
I have them all, exept the CAD M-179.
My favorite would be the MD-441.
You asked about three of them, and my favorite of them would be the MD-421.
Don´t forget that when you will be talked into buying a SM7b, and you will...
you need a preamp that deliver a lot of clean gain.

Good luck!!
/M

[grrrayson]

(Except for Dr Gris, sorry!)

It's been a very long time since I've used an RE20 but I have used all three you ask about and a couple of others.

The SM7B is better at voice than your primary requirements but would still be my suggestion for a first multi-purpose dynamic. Perhaps it should just come down to whatever you can get the best deal on.

They're all awesome on some things. The high shelf on the 421 can be too much. I love it on kick, bass cabinets, and sax, and it can work well on voice. Bad on trumpet and snare in my experience. The RE20 is perhaps a flatter sound. The SM7 will probably elicit more warm fuzzies overall.


I've liked the PR40 on kick but it sounded bizarre on voice in my testing. I successfully used it on an acoustic guitar for a demo in a pinch once and it worked astonishingly well. It does have a somewhat condenser-like top end like they say it does and is somewhat RE20-ish. It is not a contender for the best all-purpose mic, though.

A 441 can be amazing on random things (e.g., harmonica) sometimes too but was not asked about here, is more expensive, and still may not be a better multi-purpose mic than the SM7B.


You will need something better than Mbox preamps for the SM7B. Otherwise, specialized preamps here remain overrated in general.

Be well.

Grayson

[twentyhertz]

thanks for the suggestions. I'm still no closer to making a decision But I think I will just see which one I can get the best deal on. I'm leaning towards the SM7b or the RE20. I have an ART MPA gold and actually the pres on my audiofire have a lot of clean gain so I think I'm covered there.

[asap audio]

I'd get the SM7B over the RE-20 for two reasons:

1) It's got a built in shockmount. The shockmount (needed) for the RE20 is $100.

2) The SM has two frequency response adjustments, the RE20 only a low rolloff that starts at 300hz, not really usable.

I do like both, though. The SM7B is a better deal.

[dysenterygary]

Of the ones you have listed I would say go with the 421 or 441 because it sounds like you are more instrument minded for this mic. IF vox were more important then hands down the sm7b. But for the instruments you listed I think the 441 would have the edge slightly over the 421 and sm7b.

[GoVeganDude]

this might help... Heil PR-40 vs. ElectoVoice RE20 vs. Shure SM7B through Great River

[Mike Douaire]

I drove all over creation but finally found a place that sold a PR-30. Haven't been able to try it out much yet considering how late I got back last night and had roommates sleeping, BUT i will be using it this weekend to record re-amped guitars. From what I've read and heard so far with it, it could quite possibly be that all around mic ur looking for (guitars, kick, bass, snare, toms, maybe some vox).

I can let you know more by this weekend, but like i said, so far it sounds really nice with just some quick messing around through my crappy practice amp.

[rty5150]

i love my sm7b. it IS my workhorse dynamic. my second is the audix i5, then after that my e609.
my re20 gets used depending on if the sm7b is not filling the need.