My Electro-voice Blue Raven mic review!

[donsolo]

Yup, I picked my pair of Raven/Cardinal for like $200 back in the day.

[kozsak]

I just got my Raven today. $50 bucks. Good ebay seller, no worries.

The mic is definitely on the "bright side". On its own it could be harsh, depending on the source. It has no where near the warmth and body of an SM7B.

However, it seems like it would have its place somewhere in a mix. The hi-end is not really brittle or buzzy like some of the cheaper condensers. It has a decent output level, much more than the SM7.

As the poster above mentioned, it would be good to add a new flavor for certain tracks.

[Vocalvoodoo]

Thanks for the review. Mine should be here tomorrow.

[BudgetMC]

Seems like I saw somebody, somewhere, say that this mic was a dynamic that had been voiced to sound more like a condenser...

Originally Posted by kozsak

The mic is definitely on the "bright side". On its own it could be harsh, depending on the source. It has no where near the warmth and body of an SM7B.

[TurboJets]

Originally Posted by Vocalvoodoo

For what it's worth, the seller is Musicians Advocate, but selling under the name Openboxmusic. I have done business with them in the past, as have others I know, and they were straight up.

Musician's Advocate

I will let you know about the condition of the mic once it arrives though. thumbsup

I've purchased a few things from MusiciansAdvocate before too and got great deals and good service. No prob's.

I'm, also a big fan of EV dynamic mics and the Raven has been such a mystery, so thanks for the review OP. I love EV mids and the tight, warm bottom end. Would use a dynamic EV over a Shure any day.

[pan60]

well i am late to the party, seems like they are out now: (~

[brooklynhero]

Add me to the party!

I just scored a Raven (yesterday) and a Cardinal (today) for $136 total shipped!

Thanks ebay and Musician's Advocate!

[Obitheincredible]

I bought the Raven for 40 off of that ebay store! for 40 I could not say no.

[brooklynhero]

I've got an RE20 so I'll compare both the cardinal and the raven on a few sources - and see what happens.

[pan60]

Originally Posted by brooklynhero

I've got an RE20 so I'll compare both the cardinal and the raven on a few sources - and see what happens.

please do!

[maxbarkly]

Does anybody here have a raven and plays harmonica? The shape of the thing begs for someone to test it out.

[Vocalvoodoo]

Got mine last week. Arrived in perfect shape. Not a bad little mic for the $$$. I usually only record VO and it probably wouldn't get used for any serious projects, but parody songs are another story. I could see using it for vocals.

For $40, I think it was definitely worth it. thumbsup

[Obitheincredible]

Originally Posted by Vocalvoodoo

Got mine last week. Arrived in perfect shape. Not a bad little mic for the $$$. I usually only record VO and it probably wouldn't get used for any serious projects, but parody songs are another story. I could see using it for vocals.

For $40, I think it was definitely worth it. thumbsup

EXACTLY! I'm pushing for the cardinal right now. I made a offer. Waiting on a response.

[kozsak]

I was goofing around with my new Raven over the weekend. I was able to find some nice tones on acoustic guitar. The mic captures the "edginess" of a steel string guitar nicely. Not a ton of "body", but good teeth.

It was nice in conjunction to the SM7B. The Raven has a strong upper mid tone that blended well with the darker SM7.

It's a keeper, but I'm not sure how much I will actually use it. Maybe acoustic guitar flatpick solos? or BU vox? I believe EV sells it as a "live" mic.
I think it would be useful live for acoustic guitar, guitar cabs, maybe toms...

I think as a harmonica mic it would border on "icepick in the ear" type tone.

[Obitheincredible]

Originally Posted by kozsak

I was goofing around with my new Raven over the weekend. I was able to find some nice tones on acoustic guitar. The mic captures the "edginess" of a steel string guitar nicely. Not a ton of "body", but good teeth.

It was nice in conjunction to the SM7B. The Raven has a strong upper mid tone that blended well with the darker SM7.

It's a keeper, but I'm not sure how much I will actually use it. Maybe acoustic guitar flatpick solos? or BU vox? I believe EV sells it as a "live" mic.
I think it would be useful live for acoustic guitar, guitar cabs, maybe toms...

I think as a harmonica mic it would border on "icepick in the ear" type tone.

Agreed. I wouldn't use it for harmonica. I just won the cardinal for 60 from that same ebay company if anybody else wants it! I'm way excited!

[Iggy Poop]

Just got mine today. Did some acoustic guitar tracks with it. Used it in conjunction with a dragonfly and sounded very complimentary. Also used it with an sm7b, even more complimentary. Sounds like a blue mic. Definitely worth more than what we all paid for it. I might describe it as being sort of like an audix i5 but bigger sounding (so maybe not like an i5). Probably sounds a bit closer to a condenser mic. Takes eq pretty well. Wonder how it would sound on a snare. All just preliminary testing but first impression is pretty damn good especially considering the price. Maybe I should of bought 2.

[Obitheincredible]

I dont have a sm7 but I have a Heil PR 40. Are they anywhere near each other is tonality and sound? I know theyre both Large dynamics but I haven't done a side by side. I love the raven and cant wait for my cardinal.

[BudgetMC]

Played with mine for the first time tonight. The Raven is definately on the brighter/sharper side of the equation.

[brooklynhero]

here's a big comparison

I apologize if the different hosting services crap out

EV RE20
http://www.filedropper.com/re20

EV Blue Cardinal
http://www.filedropper.com/cardinal

EV Blue Raven
http://www.filedropper.com/raven


and I apologize - seems you have to download them - if someone could host - that would be nice - each file is like 720kb only

Thoughts?

[kozsak]

I wonder if the Raven could be modded to soften its almost-too-edgy tone?

I notice if I tap the wind screen/pop filter with my fingernail it almost rings like a bell ( a tiny bit). Could this be deadened to good effect? I think the Joly Oktava mod does something to deaden the case of the mic.

Slutz???

[brooklynhero]

http://www.filedropper.com/ravennocap

i took the cover off the front of the raven and recording the same vocal line above.

[kozsak]

I can't get the original raven file to download. But the new file (no cap) sounds wayyy less bright and more usable than my Raven. I'll have to give that a try. Thanks for posting man!

[brooklynhero]

Yeah - I used just a quick host for it.

After looking at the raven's element it looks like it has a resonant chamber created by a diffusor of some sort - like in SM58's. I'll bet that adds to the rising midrange response

but those baskets - MAN to they ring. and it has three layers! two crossing grilles with a layer of thin mesh inbetween!

this mic would definitely be a candidate for some kind of modded basket.

I'm thinking something that fits like a big bulb so you can use more filling inside. the mic is SUPER SENSITIVE to plosives without it's stock basket.

[kozsak]

Maybe use a dremel type saw and cut out 2 of the 3 layers of the basket?
And remove the thin piece of foam?

OF course you'd have to use a separate pop screen for vocals.

Maybe dip the whole thing in hot glue ? Lol.

[Iggy Poop]

Ok, I've had a chance to work with it. I really can't get it to sound good enough on anything. Sounded harsh and brittle on everything I tried it on. Oh well, what you want for $50 bucks.

[XHipHop]

Are you guys serious?! The raven is AWFUL on vocals.

UNUSABLE! That is why they are $40.

It is sooo prone to popping even with a pop filter in front of it. There is no way this mic can be used live or in a studio setting on vocals without having the singer turn their head everytime they make a "P" sound.

It's OK on guitar amps. Could be good on toms.

I have a pair.

The Cardinal is cool though! Much better as far as the popping issue goes, but not perfect.

[Obitheincredible]

Originally Posted by XHipHop

Are you guys serious?! The raven is AWFUL on vocals.

UNUSABLE! That is why they are $40.

It is sooo prone to popping even with a pop filter in front of it. There is no way this mic can be used live or in a studio setting on vocals without having the singer turn their head everytime they make a "P" sound.

It's OK on guitar amps. Could be good on toms.

I have a pair.

The Cardinal is cool though! Much better as far as the popping issue goes, but not perfect.

ok? Its just another tool. Now stop your b!tching and move on....

[XHipHop]

Originally Posted by Obitheincredible

ok? Its just another tool. Now stop your b!tching and move on....

OK!

A tool that doesn't work for its intended purpose. a horribly inadequate tool.

i don't want anyone else to waste their money on this crap mic. sorry if you don't want to hear the truth, but that's what this board is for.

[Iggy Poop]

Like I posted earlier, I've yet to make this mic sound good on anything and I have tried.

[BudgetMC]

Yeah... I'm not thrilled with mine. It does work for a jangly/thin acoustic guitar tone in an otherwise dense mix.

Sorry for the bum tip, dudes!

Originally Posted by Iggy Poop

Like I posted earlier, I've yet to make this mic sound good on anything and I have tried.