Electro-Voice RE20 Review: The Broadcast Standard That Refuses to Age
An in-depth look at the legendary EV RE20 dynamic microphone - why it remains the gold standard for broadcast, podcasting, and vocal recording after five decades.
★★★★★4.7/5
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Overview
Walk into any professional radio station, podcast studio, or broadcast facility, and you will almost certainly encounter the Electro-Voice RE20. This microphone has occupied its throne as the broadcast industry standard since its introduction in 1968, and remarkably, its design remains essentially unchanged because it simply works. The RE20 occupies a unique space in the microphone world. While most dynamic microphones exhibit significant proximity effect - that boomy bass buildup when you get close to the capsule - the RE20 sidesteps this issue entirely through clever engineering. This makes it incredibly forgiving for broadcasters and vocalists who move around while speaking or singing.Sound Quality
The sonic character of the RE20 can be described in one word: honest. This microphone does not artificially boost frequencies to sound impressive in isolation. Instead, it delivers a remarkably flat response from 45Hz up to 18kHz that sits beautifully in any mix without requiring extensive corrective equalization. For spoken word applications, the RE20 captures voices with exceptional clarity and warmth simultaneously. Deep voices benefit from the extended low-frequency response that reaches down to 45Hz, while the smooth upper midrange prevents the harshness that plagues many dynamic microphones. There is a certain weightiness to vocals recorded through the RE20 that sounds authoritative without being muddy. The microphone handles transients with grace, making it equally capable on musical sources. Recording engineers have long prized the RE20 for kick drums, where its ability to capture both the punch of the beater and the resonance of the shell creates that familiar, professional drum sound heard on countless recordings. Bass guitar cabinets and low brass instruments also translate beautifully through this microphone.Variable-D Technology Explained
The secret to the RE20's consistent performance lies in Electro-Voice's Variable-D technology, developed in 1953. Traditional directional microphones use rear ports to create their cardioid pickup pattern, but this design inherently produces proximity effect - the closer you get, the more bass you hear. The RE20 employs multiple ports along the microphone body, each tuned to different frequency ranges. This innovative approach maintains the cardioid pattern while virtually eliminating proximity effect. In practical terms, you can work the microphone from two inches or twelve inches away and hear only minimal tonal changes. For broadcasters who naturally move while speaking, this consistency is invaluable.Build Quality and Design
Electro-Voice constructed the RE20 to survive decades of professional use, and the heavy-gauge steel body delivers on that promise. The microphone weighs approximately 26 ounces, which is substantial but speaks to its rugged construction. Many RE20s from the 1970s remain in active daily service, a testament to the durability of the design. The internal shock mount system reduces handling noise and protects the capsule from vibrations transmitted through the stand. An integrated bass rolloff switch provides gentle attenuation below 400Hz at approximately 6dB per octave, useful when recording in spaces with excessive low-frequency rumble or when additional clarity is needed for spoken word. The RE20 features an integrated humbucking coil that effectively rejects electromagnetic interference from nearby electronics, computer monitors, and lighting systems. In broadcast environments surrounded by equipment, this shielding proves essential for clean recordings.Practical Applications
Broadcasting and Podcasting: This remains the RE20's natural habitat. The combination of proximity effect immunity, excellent off-axis rejection, and forgiving nature makes it ideal for anyone speaking into a microphone for extended periods. It tames room reflections and background noise while delivering that authoritative broadcast sound. Vocal Recording: While often overlooked for music vocals in favor of condensers, the RE20 excels on powerful singers and rappers who work the microphone dynamically. The flat response means less corrective EQ during mixing. Instrument Recording: Kick drums, bass cabinets, guitar amplifiers, and low brass all benefit from the RE20's extended low-frequency response and transient handling capabilities.What You Need to Know
The RE20 requires a capable preamplifier. With an output sensitivity of 1.5mV/Pa, it needs more gain than many condenser microphones. Budget audio interfaces may introduce noise when pushed to provide sufficient gain, so factor in a quality preamp or an interface with robust mic preamps. The physical size demands consideration as well. This is not a microphone you can easily tuck into a cramped space. A sturdy boom arm rated for heavy microphones is essential, as lightweight arms will sag under the RE20's weight.Detailed Sound Performance Across Applications
Professional Broadcasting and Radio
In broadcast environments, the RE20 stands apart from competitors primarily through its immunity to proximity effect variations. Radio DJs and talk show hosts naturally lean into the microphone during excited moments and pull back during calmer sections. Lesser microphones would present tonal inconsistencies that require constant mixing compensation. The RE20 maintains remarkable consistency across these varying working distances, allowing broadcast engineers to focus on content rather than constantly riding gain. The off-axis rejection also deserves recognition. In shared broadcasting spaces where multiple talent may be working simultaneously, the RE20 effectively isolates the intended speaker while rejecting room reflections and neighboring conversations. This isolation reduces post-processing requirements during editing.Podcasting and Content Creation
For independent podcasters working in less-than-ideal home environments, the RE20 proves invaluable. The aforementioned proximity effect immunity becomes particularly important when podcast content involves varied delivery - quieter introspective moments alternating with enthusiastic anecdotes. The bass rolloff switch provides a simple EQ solution for tightening the bottom end in smaller rooms where bass accumulation would otherwise muddy speech.Vocal Recording for Music Production
While dynamic microphones aren't the first choice for music vocals, the RE20 occupies a special niche for singers with particular stylistic demands. Hip-hop and R&B vocalists who deliver with aggression and movement find the RE20 responsive to their dynamic range while maintaining tonal consistency. The absence of proximity effect means they can work the microphone fearlessly, moving freely for expressive delivery without the microphone overcompensating with bass. Female vocals benefit from the presence peak in the upper midrange, adding clarity without excessive harshness. Male vocalists find the extended low-frequency response adds weight and authority to their delivery.Drum Recording and Instrument Miking
On kick drums, the RE20's flat response from 45Hz upward means the true character of the drum comes through without artificial coloration. The transient handling ensures the attack is clear while the sustain is present - that familiar "thump and punch" combination. Engineers often employ the RE20 as an inside kick drum mic, capturing the beater attack and shell resonance without needing extensive EQ adjustment. Bass guitar cabinets respond beautifully through the RE20. The low-frequency extension picks up the fundamental resonance while the upper midrange definition captures the pick attack and string ring. Recording both bass and drums through an RE20 creates cohesive low-end that plays together rather than competing.Comparing to Modern Alternatives
The microphone market has introduced numerous alternatives since the RE20's introduction, yet none have successfully dislodged it from industry preference: vs. Shure SM7B: The SM7B also features excellent proximity effect control through a different design philosophy. The RE20 edges ahead in presence and clarity, while the SM7B exhibits slightly more proximity effect at very close working distances. The SM7B is slightly quieter (lower EIN), but requires more gain from the preamp. vs. Sennheiser MD 441: Another broadcast standard, the MD 441 offers better low-frequency extension below 45Hz. However, the RE20's superior presence in the midrange and upper midrange makes it clearer for speech and tighter for music. vs. Electro-Voice ND96: EV's own budget alternative to the RE20 costs less but sacrifices the sophisticated proximity effect correction and humbucking coil shielding.Extended Pros and Cons Analysis
Additional Pros:Who Should Buy the RE20
Perfect Fit For:Technical Deep Dive
The RE20's capsule design represents a masterclass in cardioid microphone engineering. Most cardioid microphones sacrifice consistency at the proximity boundary to achieve tight directional control. The RE20 achieves both through the Variable-D port arrangement - a primary rear port and secondary ports along the body that are acoustically tuned to compensate for proximity effect at different frequencies. The cardioid pattern remains remarkably tight across its frequency spectrum from 100Hz through 10kHz. Above 10kHz, the pattern naturally tightens (exhibits lower wavelengths), which is ideal for rejecting high-frequency room reflections while capturing presence detail from the intended source.The Verdict
The Electro-Voice RE20 commands approximately $450 at current market prices, positioning it firmly in professional territory. This investment makes sense for anyone serious about broadcast, podcasting, or professional vocal recording who values consistency, durability, and that distinctive broadcast sound. Decades of continuous production and an essentially unchanged design speak louder than any marketing copy. The RE20 remains the standard because alternatives keep trying and failing to match its combination of flat response, proximity effect immunity, and bulletproof construction. For professionals who depend on reliable, consistent vocal capture day after day, the RE20 delivers exactly what the job demands. The microphone has earned its legendary status through real-world performance across countless studios and broadcast facilities worldwide. It's not the flashiest option, and it's not the least expensive. But it is the most consistently professional choice available, which is precisely why it has endured for over five decades without meaningful design changes. That longevity speaks to fundamental engineering excellence.Enjoyed this? Level up your production.
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