EV RE320 Reviews

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3 years ago

Direct sounding .. perhaps too direct

Its a really good mic. But somehow i do prefer the sound of the Re20. This one just sound a bit more hyped in the top end. So if you are doing voice work where there is music in the background its perfect as it cuts a bit more through, but if it was for something like audiobooks or talk radio with no background it might end up being a bit too agressive. For modern rap and such things i think it would be a perfect fit.

4 years ago

Full sound, Solid construction.

Very pleased with the sound of this mic, being used mainly as a studio broadcast mic, the sound is full and dynamic.

Construction is solid and robust.

I cannot report any bad points.

A top quality product.

5 years ago

Brilliant

Brilliant, but do buy a preamp (i got myself a TritonAudio Fethead).

5 years ago

Good quality, dynamic microphone

I use the RE320 teaching online - alongside a fethead, and a scarlett 212.

It's a great sounding dynamic - good directionality, no proximity effect really, rugged.

The tonal balance feels like when other microphones (421, 57, beyerdynamic mkii, which I was using before) were compressed. Just that touch more warmth, and brightness in the top end. It's not a wildly open sound - I wouldn't describe it as open or natural, like say the AKG 417PP lapell mic which I also use from time to time, it sounds like a broadcast ready microphone - nice radio friendly tone.

There is a tone switch to swap between kick and voice tones - haven't had a chance to test on kick - but I do prefer the voice setting for my voice - the kick setting seems to take out some stuff between 250-and 320 (ish - haven't gotten forensic with it) - which probably cuts out boxiness on kick, but on my voice just pulled out quite a bit of warmth.

Comes with a protective case - though I'm not sure why you'd need it - as the mic itself feels very very robust - I think you'd have to work hard to damage it - that being said the case is strong and sturdy, and looks like it could take a beating itself - it's not a weak leatherette bag, like you get with some microphones.

I had tried an SM7b, and for my voice preferred the tone of this. Though there is a little more tone shaping on the sm7b - so If I was going at it blind - I possibly would have made that decision. I think having gotten and used this mic, the ease of use and the sound, I wouldn't swap, if anything happened - I'd buy another straight away.

The microphone is a little on the larger side - but thats the price to pay for the variable D (proximity reducing design), but not too unwieldy, fits in a tight enough space on my desk on a fairly basic desk mic stand - without issue.

Although not really advertised - works well with plosives - I haven't really had any pop issues, even though I'm 3 inches from the mic roughly, and working without a pop shield.

For some situations depending on your set up, perhaps you have the need for a high pass filter - so perhaps would prefer the re27 0r re20, I'd spring instead for the triton fethead that also has the filter - or a little bit of post processing - unless its something that you have to have at source.

It's starting to tip into the expensive side for a dynamic - but worth it - sounds every penny and more.

5 years ago

Excellent Kick Drum Mic

Really pleased with the quality and build of this mic.

The EQ switch for kick drums gives a beautifully clear tone while maintaining warmth.

Stands up to the RE20 for this purpose in my opinion.

6 years ago

nice mic!

I have used this on acoustic guitar, vocals and mic'ing a guitar cab. I've been able to get useable results every time.

6 years ago

Nice mic for bass and kick

Always loved the EV RE's and tis is no exception. Great sound, great bottom and nice filter.

7 years ago

Simply wonderful for VO work and pre-recording DJ links

I run this mic through a DBX296s Mic Preamp/Processor - and I am exceedingly happy with the results of this combination. The set up gives me a very strong edge on my voice - and it is "almost" impossible to pop the microphone. There is a warmth that equals many more expensive models - such as the venerable RE20. I did not wish to spend RE20 money (even though I love them) and have to say - that my budget version has left me smiling - highly recommended for DJ work!

It is not a light microphone - so bear that in mind when selecting your mic stand... however that is a very minor issue really :)

9 years ago

VERY close to an RE20 and more versatile with the switch that engages an EQ curve for kick drums.

10 years ago

nice little quality hic for voice recordings

like i said...

10 years ago

EV RE320

Great on kick drum, and solid build quality.

10 years ago

Great mic from E.V.

I bought this mic mainly for live kick drum reinforcement, budget not quite stretching to an RE20! The 'kick' frequency switch is a very handy little addition, making a really noticeable instant difference in tone- more punchy and aggressive than the flat setting. Each time i've used this mic so far i've needed to do very little in the way of E.Q- I like my kick tuned for a nice round "thump", something the RE320 is right at home handling. If you're looking for a more clicky, modern sound then i'd recommend checking out the Audix D6 instead.

When put in front of the Bari sax in my Ska band, I got a lovely full, bassy tone, without losing any of the aggressiveness that the music requires. It also sounded great for mic'ing up Bass cabs and studio vocal work.

The metal chassis feels really solid and will be able to take plenty of abuse (if you're clumsy like me), the mic also comes with a handy padded carry case. Be warned that this mic is heavy- you'll need to really tighten up those mic stands to avoid sagging, and you may need a screwdriver handy to tighten up the supplied clip.

11 years ago

EV microphone with dual purpose usefulness - plus no proximity effect!

I was recommended this microphone because I needed a radio style mic, and noticed it also was useful on kick drum.

I did a bit of research and discovered the EV Variable-D system - where the usual cardioid bass tip-up when you get close to the mic doesn't happen. The usual base proximity effect is hardly there at all, and it sounds like an omni, but with a useful cardioid response. At about 150mm you can go off to each side of the mic without the sound changing in tone - the thin sound you usually get as you move off is nowhere near so obvious. It's a BIG microphone - the Variable-D system means the capsule itself is quite big so the housing is bigger still. So for the job I had in mind, I'm very happy. Then I tried it on the kick drum. My band is a tribute band - the Beach Boys, and we try to sound as authentic as we can, so a kick drum that goes BOOOOOM is not on the list. I quite like the AKG112 which we use, but that is maybe a little too light. Selecting the kick position on the EV 320 works really well, and the shape allows it to sit closer to the head than the 112. Using a stand is a bit tricky because the hole in the front head is quite low, so the longer reach of the 320 helps. If you use it without the kick position being selected, you DO get the bigger boomy sound, which I guess some people might like.

The mic clamp supplied fits over the XLR socket tube, and is pretty sturdy and well made, and there is a small grub screw that prevents the thing sliding off. For radio station use there is a suspension mount to stick it on an anglepoise type arm, but for me, I don't need that.

There are lots of comments on the net about the dire effects of covering up the side vents, which some people feel the need to do, but I tried it with hardly any impact at all. It certainly didn't make the mic more prone to feedback, which is what I expected.

It's not a bad price and does two jobs - a shame I didn't discover it earlier!

11 years ago

Excellent on Floor Toms and Sax

Very useful addition to the mic collection. Can bring out the depth of a floor tom well, but still with attack, and pairs very well with an LDC for sax giving depth without undue breathiness.

11 years ago

Different to the RE20, but great nonetheless!

I bought this knowing that it would be similar to the RE20, but at a lower price point, and so was expecting it to not impress quite as much as its older cousin - I was wrong! This mic, while not having quite the deep tone of the RE20, has its own unique tonal characteristics.

The top end is a fair bit more pronounced than on the RE20, but this is useful in a lot of situations, such as click on the kick drum, the 'string slink' on a bass guitar, or for more intelligibility on vocals or spoken word recordings. This mic, like the RE20, can produce a great kick drum sound, made even more versatile by the 'kick drum curve' switch, which alters the frequency response in the bottom end, to scoop out 200Hz ish ,where the bass guitar resides, giving more separation before you even hit the EQs.

This mic is not the most sensitive, and so lower quality preamps may struggle to drive it sufficiently, but anything decent will suffice - Focusrite Saffire and Liquid Saffire Preamps etc in my experience.

12 years ago

Great value

Really good value for the money. Very robust, it feels like you could throw it into any situation and it will not break. Sound is very pleasant, warm, but not hyped. The kickdrum/voice switch is awesome, makes an audible, but not intrusive change.

12 years ago

Great bit of kit!

I got this primarily for use recording bass drums as I didn't want to buy a specific "tailored bass drum mic", which to me often sound too "scooped" by default. This mic, having the option of a "flat" or "scooped" preset eliminates that problem. If money were no object, I would have an RE20 as well as one or the more bass drum specific mic's on the market (D112, D6, 52A etc), but seeing as budget is a real factor, this has been perfect for me. I cannot fault the sound it gives me.

Image EV RE320

Technical Data

  • Manufactured by EV
  • Released in 2011
  • Average price : $348
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