re-20 or 421?

[honkytonk]

looking to buy a new dynamic to round out my mic collection (so far 57s, oktava 012s, and a rode nt-2 is all i gots). wondering about people's experience w/these mics (i've used them both before, just not extensively). will they make a decent kick drum mic?

[wing]

of course they will... i haven't tried the re20, meaning to get one... but i love the 421. all mics can make a good kick mic, and all these mics and more can mic anything well if used right.

[ram3n]

I use both of these mics on every project I do. They are both great mics. But I use my RE20 more overall than the 421. I use the RE20 alot on kick (my other option being an AKG D112). And it's often my first choice when micing up a bass cab with a dynamic. I even use the RE20 on vocals. Sometimes it just matches up great with some singers... or should I say screamers. But I also really like the 421 on toms and I use it sometimes on guitar as well. I'd recommend the RE20 before the 421 but buying either is a great investment.

[chetatkinsdiet]

Look at it like you're drafting for your own football team. You've got a few decent players, but obviously a few holes in your starting lineup. The draft is coming up. Don't worry about whether you should draft a running back before a receiver. Look for both and get the best deal available....meaning, each of these two mics are readily available on ebay for great prices. Find a deal on either one and get it. You're going to want both anyway...in the case of the 421, probably a couple, as it's a great snare mic, guitar cab mic, tom mic and kick mic. You'll find a session where a few will work. A friend of mine just grabbed a pair of the older version, the 421, not the Mk II for $300/pair. Great deal. I see them all the time for $200-225.
Be sure to also search for PL20 when looking for the RE, as this is just another color option...same mic...i believe.
later,
m

[cassembler]

I'd vote for the RE-20 first, but you'll have fun (and a decent investment) with either.

[@?,*???&?]

I worked at many radio stations and the prevalent control room mic was the Sennheiser 421. Always enjoyed speaking into that beast. Did work afternoon drive at one rock station that had an RE20 and always struggled with the lack of a pop filter on that. I'd bring in a foam puff and the program director would make me take it off- I guess he enjoyed the sound of his jocks hitting the plosives on the air. Whatever.

The 421 certainly adds alot of knock to a kick and it is popular on toms, but I have found few applications for it in a recording studio situation. With regard to the RE20, you will enjoy the creamier aspects of it and you'll especially enjoy it on a bass cabinet.

[jc]

for a kick mic, i go re20 mos def. sounds occasionally good on voice too.
421 has a great sound for close up on guitar amps.
421 on toms is silly. the microphone is enormous. who decided to put it there? wha happen?

[tranquilosteelo]

dude, Shure SM7. won't let you down and can mic everything very well

[wayne kerr]

Yeh - another vote for the SM7... one of my faves to be sure!

CC
PP

[cgarges]

I've got access to RE-20 and 421s at almost every studio in which I work. I rarely find myself actualy going for the RE-20, but when I do, it's usually for bass amps, male vocals, and saxophone. It will work on a kick drum, but I find the sound to be a bit bland.

I use 421s more frequently. They're a bit clearer and slightly more "hyped." They work well in a kick drum for rock stuff, especially in conjunction with another mic. Sort of a nice, pointed sound that accentuates the attack nicely. They also work well for guitar amps and toms, although they're rarely my first choice for either. I really dig them a lot as vocal mics in a live acoustic ensemble setting, where I'm using a lot of condensers and ribbon mics for the insturments (a bluegrass group for example). For some reason, they excel in this application. They also work well as a bottom snare drum mic, should you need it.

Either way, you can't go wrong. They're both great mics. I'd probably go with the 421 first, but that's just me.

Chris Garges
Charlotte, NC

[wing]

i've also heard from many that the feeling is the re-20 when on kick picks up too much of the rest of the kit.

[dgochenour]

This got me thinking... the only way I've ever used an RE-20 on kik is in the shell. I don't own one yet, and I was wondering, does anyone use this out in front of the kick? How do you like it there?

[Derrick]

I would too probably take the Sure SM-7 over the EV RE-20. Decide what your main uses will be and then decide between the Sennheiser 421 or the Sure SM-7 / EV RE-20.

[chetatkinsdiet]

dgochenour Posted: Tue 20.01.04, 2:39 pm Post subject: Re: re-20 or 421?

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This got me thinking... the only way I've ever used an RE-20 on kik is in the shell. I don't own one yet, and I was wondering, does anyone use this out in front of the kick? How do you like it there?


I was just playing with one last week and it seemed to work best on this particular kick about a foot from the front drum....(24" tama superstar w/ solid front head)...Pointed down a tad near the center, but a bit off....can't remember the exacts....
Sounded nice.
BTW....ever see those old pics of Bonham with the re20 micing his kick? Right on the front head w/ no hole.
later,
m

[lilcapn]

i love my 421 (an old greenish-gray one, euro style) and find it nice for big dark distorted guitars, and i love it pointed across a floor tom.