[Scott Dorsey]

coreybenson wrote:
Quick question regarding the EV RE-510 handheld vocal condensor
microphone. I've read some comments on the net (far fewer than I'd
expected) about this mic, and have had a chance to try one out. Our
singer is considering picking one up.

I found it really, really bright.

My go-to mic when people ask about live vocal mics is often the Shure
Beta-58. They do a pretty good job of cutting through on loud stages
and sound engineers aren't afraid of them, so it would be more likely
they'd let him use HIS mic.

Sit down with the Beta-58 and the RE-510 and listen to the two of them.
Listen to how the top end sounds, and how plosives sound. THEN, turn
the mike to the side and listen how quickly the sound falls off.

You want a mike that has a good top end, but does not exaggerate
plosives, and you want it to be as directional as possible. The
more directional it is, the more gain before feedback you will have.

The other option is a Sennheiser EW series handheld wireless system.
My wife currently uses one (I forget the model number) and he's tried
it with excellent results.

What mike is on it? Sennheiser makes some marvelous mikes like the
441 and the e855 (well, they stopped making the e855 recently), and
they also make trash like the e835. You'll know the difference when
you start turning the mike and seeing how directional it is.

Anyway, I'm just wondering if there are any other real-world reviews
of this mic. Scott Dorsey stated he hadn't had the best of luck with
EV condensors in the past in a RAP post, but the RE20, PL10 and 11,
etc., all get rave reviews.

That's because the RE-20, PL-10 and PL-11 are all dynamic microphones.
EV has made some of the world's best dynamic microphones, and they continue
to do so. Their attempts at condenser mikes, like the RE-1000, and RE-2000,
were pretty awful.

I understand the RE-510 may not have been
designed by EV?

It's hard to tell what EV is any more, since they got borged. The original
EV facility in Buchanan was closed about two years ago, and all of their
current microphone products are being made at what I think is a former
Telex facility. A lot of the original Buchanan staff decided not to move,
and their service department basically fell apart completely. So I would
not be surprised if this is something designed and built by different people
than have designed and built their previous condenser designs.

This mic will be used live (not in the studio) for a 70's arena-rock
band. The vocalist is doing everything from Blue Oyster Cult to Rush.
I'd love to hear suggestions for other industry standard mics, but am
more interested in thoughts about this specific mic, as I've never
used (or seen) one before last week.

If the vocalist likes the RE-510, he (and I'm hoping it's a he and not
a she because the pitched up top end can be very irritating on vocals),
should look into the N/D 967. and N/D 767, also from EV. They are smooth
and tight.
--scott
--
"C'est un Nagra. C'est suisse, et tres, tres precis."