My Electro-voice Blue Raven mic review!

[pan60]

i had hi hopes for this mic, i have not tried one yet, but it sounds like i may want to pass?

[Obitheincredible]

I like it for some amps. but anything else not something I would use.....

[XHipHop]

i will gladly sell a pair of these to anyone in this thread for $90 shipped. Only 1 has been used, comes with pouches, original boxes, paperwork.

Bargain!

[Obitheincredible]

2 ravens? or a raven and cardinal? Both were discussed here.

[XHipHop]

2 ravens.

raven + cardinal (same conditions) for $120 shipped.

[brooklynhero]

I'm curious.

has anyone tried this mic in a live setting?

Isn't that what it was designed for?


i await someone to tell me that the vox sounded horrible LIVE with this mic onstage in a mix in sub par acoustic conditions.


and as i said before - the basket has GOT to go.

any ideas for a replacement basket anyone?

[kozsak]

I took the wind screen cover off and put a ring of hot glue around the inside of the screen, near the base.

It sort of restricts the 3 layers of screens from rattling together.
It did help deaden the "ringing" noise I was hearing.

And the mic sounds a bit better to me. It's still bright though.

[brownplus]

or more likely a peavey 520i! the poor mans ldd.

it was pretty easy to get this mic to sound decent and though I haven't given it a thorough test, to me, it sounds like a slightly brighter peavey 520i (not a bad thing at all) and really liked it on my tube amp but it won't replace my beyer.

ok...the old oktava mod...

1.take a dremel type unit with the flat abrasive disc and carefully cut into-through the first inside screen
(the inside is less burly than the outside screen and it has a metal mesh between the two)

2.i did this for about the width of 1/8 the circumference (width of a flat dime)...then used a dentists pick to pick it slightly out from inside though i almost used a big needle stuck through the outside grill or tiny screwdriver run alngside the cut edge inside.

3. the main point being to get enough of the inside screen to grab ahold of it with some needle nose pliers. Then just kind of rotated the pliers in a circle to rip out the inside 2 screens.

4. kept thinking i was deforming the outer grill but damn...thats one tough exterior...the whole thing came out without any frayed edges or metal bits..very surprising...and then it fit back on with no problems or deforms..with the orig. wimpy foam screen inside.

5. will experiment with a thicker or better foam as my bud has some of that nice shotgun mic fur-foam in future.

Sounds just like a Heil pr40!!!!
Ok, it sounds a lot better/manageable...i got that ringing sound too and couldn't stand it, it's similar to the pv 520i imho but only used it on vox and tube amp...nice on the amp!

[Bhulgod]

Well...I am a rock/blues vocalist performing live regularly in Virginia. I own over a dozen vocal, Omni mics for live performances. I have a baritone voice (resembling STP/Alice in Chains). I will discuss 5 of them and give my opinion regarding my usage of the Raven and its' comparison.

Mics:
EV Raven
Sennheiser E835
EV 767
EV 967
Shure SM58

I started doing live performances with the Shure SM58. This mic is bullet proof and that, alone, is its' best attribute. While the Shure is dependable, it is outdated and far outclassed by modern stage mics. I replaced the Shure with the Sennheiser E835 and was impressed with the increased sensitivity it provided. However, the Sennheiser it more suited to the tenor vocalist. I then moved on to the EV967 and found it still didn't meet my desire for cleaner, low end vocals. Also, the EV967 had a propensity to feedback when I added ANY highs into my channel mix...enter the EV767. This is a SWEET mic. The EV767 seems to be as rugged as the Shure SM58 but far exceeds the Shure in clarity and power (and for less than $30 more, these attributes are stellar). Now, I am doing solo acoustic shows and I just flat out dug the look of the Raven. I get a Raven and fire it up...OUTSTANDING highs ans still unmuddy with my lows...I'm thinking "cool!". But then I go live with it and find that the mic tends to distort at higher volume levels. SO...I play the rock shows with the EV767 and use the Raven for the solo acoustic shows. I love the Raven for solo shows and for home recording, but it can't handle full-on, energy laden vocals.

[asplashofcitrus]

Would anyone happen to want to sell (1) EV Raven OR (1) EV Cardinal to me? Shoot me your lowest price and I've got Paypal ready to go...

Thanks so much!

[SANDS]

here you go,

Buy Electro-Voice Raven Dynamic Microphone Factory B-Stock | Dynamic Microphones | Musician's Friend

musiciansfriend has the Raven for 49.00

and the Cardinal for 79.00

Buy Electro-Voice Cardinal Condenser Microphone Factory B-Stock | Condenser Microphones | Musician's Friend

factory B-stock

[SolFlow]

$65 USD on Ebay - perfect condition. Considering SM57 and SM58 are going for $120 USD here in OZ. Great Deal. These are about $230 USD to buy here.

Thumbs up on the Raven. I used it for Vocals and Acoustic Guitar and didn't have the distortion problems someone else mentioned.

[asplashofcitrus]

Much thanks!

[jowillie]

Sounds like you all might need to check out the NEW Shure Super55.
Looks great on paper hype. Added clarity? I would love to try one.
VO Mic Test

[Bhulgod]

I've used the Shure 55. While it is a durable and dependable mic, I don't like how shure mics deliver my tone. Also, the "vintage" design incorporates a large switch on the front base which can easily be turned off during an active live performance. Few new mics out there possess the cool look of the raven. One thing that must be kept in mind is that this mic is designed for live performances. Most of the comments posted here with a negative review are by users trying to utilize this mic in a studio. Bottom line: This mic does what EV claims it will do with a very sweet "condensor-like" feature, and it's only draw back is that it has a distortion factor if too much power is jammed down it's front screen. If you want more for studio applications, do not use this mic...spend the extra $400 and get a mic designed for the use.

[SANDS]

Just recieved one of each from Musiciansfriend

The Raven was 49.00 and the Cardinal was 79.00 free shipping

I'll give them a good test this weekend and let you know what I find.

[BudgetMC]

Looking forward to your experience with these...

Originally Posted by SANDS

Just recieved one of each from Musiciansfriend

The Raven was 49.00 and the Cardinal was 79.00 free shipping

I'll give them a good test this weekend and let you know what I find.

[Storyville]

I got a Raven lying around. It's in a basket next to an EV mic that's shaped like an egg that I'm supposed to use on brass instruments. Not thrilled with it.

Originally it was advertised as being perfect on backup vocals. It naturally scoops male vocal presence and adds highs. I still haven't had much luck with it... the highs are sharp and annoying.

I have used it on live vocals. Not bad.

I have a 58, 57, a Sennheiser, a 767, the Eggman (EV), an RE20, and a Raven. Of them, my least favorite is the Eggman, so much so, I can't even remember what it's really called - but I have yet to try it on the beater side of a kick drum which is what I really wanted it for. Next to that is the Raven. I haven't found one use for it where I wouldn't choose one of my other dynamics first. I'm going to try it on kick as well, or snare bottom. Who knows, maybe the edgy highs will do nice nice for the snare rattle.

Side note, 767 isn't all it's cracked up to be in my opinion. For live shows, I much prefer the 58 and the Senn.

[Obitheincredible]

I have used the raven on a few things with success. Amps, Drums (specifically toms and kick) horns and I have used them on vocals a few times- not many but I did have a guy with a raspy voice and the raven complemented him really well. So I now have 3. I love it myself and am more than happy at their price!

[Michael_Joly]

The Cardinal uses a little $2 Transsound (or similar) electret condenser capsule. A bit papery-sounding and noisy to my ears. Handsome body though.

[asplashofcitrus]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

The Cardinal uses a little $2 Transsound (or similar) electret condenser capsule. A bit papery-sounding and noisy to my ears. Handsome body though.

Hm..very interesting note Michael. I'm still debating whether to snag one from musiciansfriend for $79, or just get another sm57. Sound clips anyone?

[kevynosborn]

I bought a Cardinal about a week ago when they were on-sale through Musician's Friend. I'd recommend not getting one. I was fully set to return mine, but it does something kind of special on an acoustic guitar -- though maybe only 80 dollars-special.

The sound to me is a lot like my A/T 2020 for vocals: not as harsh, but certainly almost as scooped; woofy at close range, and with a similar low-midrange body resonance.

[Michael_Joly]

I suppose if you consider the Raven and Cardinal to be effects microphones - you know, like a copper phone or something, they're OK.

But as kevynosborn implies, the internal acoustical properties of those sexy-looking bodies make for highly colored sound. Coloration that may work really well for percussion instruments (which are all about being colored resonant chambers anyway) but really gets in the way of what is required in a lead vocal micrphone where detail, clarity and presence are usually required.

[by-tor]

O.K. Just used these 2 today on a session. The guitar player was playing a JCM2000 with a TELE. The amp sounded really really bad. Very harsh and yucky. So...I am not sure how effective these samples are. But here ya go. I will post more as I use them. I put both mics on the guitar to test them out. Like I said, not really a good test and very short. Oh well. Here they are for what it is worth. I think they might be cool for some stuff.

EDIT: Pre for both was a Chandler TG2

[BudgetMC]

Was playing a bar gig last night... just me and a harmonica player doing a semi-acoustic blues thing. Thanks to Buhlgod's recommendation, I threw the Raven in the bag and hooked it up. I figured that if it sounded as stinky live as in the studio, I could put my trusty SM57 up after the first set.

Well... dog my cats! The Raven sounded pretty dang good live. The higher mids of my vocals were really coming through. As I said, I normally sing through a 57 live, and the Raven offered a very nice contrast. I did miss the proximity effect, which is one of my favorite things about the 57, but I really found that a lot of less-deep-barritone range stuff sounded very good through the Raven. It does seem to have a fairly narrow sweet spot, so you have to pay attention when you're bopping around. I didn't have much trouble with plosives, though.

All together, I feel like I suddently got a good deal after all. And, it looks pretty cool on stage, too.

[AudioHipster]

I have to say the Cardinal just looks good, but I find no use for it in a studio, I did compare it to another electret to be fair a PRA-H7A and the difference was so huge I should post. There are so many more mic's too choose from in the same price point, for a retro stage look the V900, and for a true 1 inch a PRO-238MKII a amazing mic i have been using it in the studio. all of these mic makes the Cardinal sound like the toy it is.
The MJE-K47H Capsule Head looks way cool... definitely thinking of giving it a trying the studio.

Doyen Keaton
doyen@audiohipster.com
www.audiohipster.com
AudioHipster Studio Doyen Keaton on MySpace Music - Free Streaming MP3s, Pictures & Music Videos

[Killed by Karma]

I bought a Raven recently and while the plosiveness is harsh while simply speaking into the mic, it's not nearly as noticable once the rest of the music kicks in.

And yes, for those of you that compalin about the high end response of this microphone, EV does consider it an extended treble mic. Up to 16kHz. Personally, I find this rather nice for most songs. My SM58 sounds muffled compared to this mic. The Raven is very crisp.

All that being said, I did decide to modify my Raven. As I mentioned, the plosiveness can be a bit harsh, so I removed the wind screen by removing the 3 small screws. I needed to use a jewlers screwdriver. I then cut a circle out of a pair of thin dress socks and placed it over the foam so that it sandwiched between the metal screens and the foam and stayed in place.

The results were drastic. Too drastic! Yes, the plosiveness was virtually eliminated. It was less responsive to my breath than even my 58. Unfortunately, I found the it made the limited sweet spot even more limited and it also restricted a lot of the high frequencies that I actually enjoyed. All in all, it made the mic sound quite comprable to my 58. So I decided to try again.

I removed the wind screen again and took out the sock that I installed. I replaced it wil a circle that I cut from a $0.79 pair of women's knee high stockings that I bought at Wal-Mart. That material may be slightly heavier (though not much) than panty hose. This worked great. While it mic is more plosive once again, it's not have as bad as it originally was. And it brought back some of the highs that I liked. It also increased the sweet spot pretty much exactly where it started, which is still small, but not too bad considering how much more I like the sound now over my 58.

So if you bought one of these mics only to be disapointed, I would suggest trying this trick. In this case, a 79 cent pair of knee high stockings when a long way and in my opinion, made this mic much better.

[BudgetMC]

I've been gigging with the Raven regularly since July. I've grown quite fond of it. I don't have too much trouble with plosives... that's a mic technique thing when you get down to it.

I've also discovered that it you get right up on it and really project, it distorts very nicely. That can be a useful effect to have in the trick bag.

[Killed by Karma]

Originally Posted by BudgetMC

I don't have too much trouble with plosives... that's a mic technique thing when you get down to it.

While I can't disagree that controlling plosives is a technique that can be mastered, I do have a hard time with it when I'm trying to sing and play guitar. I have a tendency to sometimes close my eyes when I play and that's when it really becomes a proximity issue. Back when I was singing alone, I didn't have this problem because I would typically have at least on hand on the mic and always knew where it was even when my eyes were closed. But playing at the same time adds a level of difficulty that I find to be unnecessary.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that when you pay $150 for a microphone, it shouldn't be difficult to use or require special techniques.

But like I said, after modding my mic, I like it a lot better.

[antichef]

I read the whole thread and couldn't find where anyone had actually tried it on snare. I did - too much fizz and not enough thump - didn't like it - just for the record.

Anyway, sounds like you all found the correct application (which happened to be the original specification ) , so I'm holding on to it.