EV RE 20 vs MD 441

[Saxa]

Is the EV RE 20 mic ok to use in a live situation with an 8 piece band? I may have jumped to quickly at getting an EV RE 20 mic for my live playing situation.( I didn't have the opportunity to use it last night) I've always heard good things about them and used one in the studio. Last nights gig, we opened for the Reggae Band "Burning Spear". I asked the sound man about the mic and he said they were great but not live with this size of band. Keep in mind I'm in a eight piece band, the set up last night was one monitor per horn, sax, trumpet and trombone amoungst others. The sound guy said the EV would pic up to much surrounding sounds, the monitor three feet away. I don't have much use for this mic other than the band live. So would a Sennheiser MD 441 be better or does it pick up the same. My other route would be a Shure Beta 56, that's what I used last night, worked great. If you come back asking if the EV is for sale, I'd say at this point yes. $300.00 used in great shape.

[Bill Mecca]

Interesting. I've always found the RE20 to be very good at rejecting off axis and background sound. I haven't used one in several years (since my radio days) but isn't there a switch to change the pickup pattern.

If you trust your sound guy, listen to him, but I would want to do a test first just to satisfy myself.

[Saxa]

Yeah, your right, I will give it some extreme testing first. The sound guy I didn't know. Who knows if it doesn't work out in this setting, I maybe able to use it in that ideal three piece band with the Baritone Sax. I understand it should work well with that horn given the bari has sound coming in places other than the bell. Thanks for your reply.

[hornstar]

I couldn't tell you about the RE20 but I love my Sennheiser 441 for live.

[Dirty Dave]

I disagree with your sound guy. I play in an 8-10 piece cover band, playing sax and using an RE-20, and I've never had a single problem with it. Sound guys love the mic, too--it sounds good and they don't have to do much to it, EQ-wise. Don't sell your RE-20!

[Saxa]

Dirty Dave, thanks man, I'll just chalk up that sound guy as "work in progress", like me. Keeping the EV, Shure :wink: to love the sound. www.dread34.com Can I get a Dread Emoticon here, please!!

[dolphy]

saxa

I play in an eight piece band performing music in a similar style to you. I've been using an MD421 and couldn't be happier with it's performance in every respect.

[Bill Mecca]

Saxa,

Hve you gotten chance to use the RE20 on stage? how is it working out??

[Saxa]

Dolphy, Billmecca, thanks. Yeah, I've used the EV RE 20 in what I believe to be the most extreme tight position. A brewery with Brick walls and Glass walls surrounding the Beer Vats. To loud of a room for my taste but it was a good gig and the mic performed beautifully without a hitch. I've been using a clip on Sennheiser for two years and have enjoyed the mobility. But using a Top End mic on a stand, well, I'll stick with it. Those little nuances that distinguish your sound as in "that's Saxa playing", come through so much better. I also like the fact that you can change things up a bit by moving in and out of the mic. I can be two feet away and have it pick up the sound in a different way. Although used it was worth every bit of the $250.00. Our Keyboardist/singer/part time trumpet player also has one but he won't take it out of the house. He sent his into EV and for $75.00 they reconditioned the entire mic. That's pretty good service, something that has kind of gone away in our disposable world.