Saturday morning mic surgery. Successfully replaced the #capsule of my @rodemic #NT1a with a Neumann style #k47 capsule. Gone is the shrill, piercing and sibilant high end of the original. Much smoother and balanced now. We should all embrace the #darksideofthemic for spoken word ;)

Rode NT1A with K47 capsule mod (compared to X1S, KSM32)

Today we’re looking at how you can turn your Behringer XM8500 or any handheld dynamic for that matter into a broadcast mini-SM7B style mic for your podcasts. Comparison to Rode Procaster, Shure SM7B, Se Electronics V7 and Stock Behringer XM8500

Full blog with images at: https://darksideofthemic.co.uk/post/649454811868217344/blog-turning-the-the-xm8500-into-a-mini-sm7b

Audio Blog: Behringer XM8500 rehoused into mini-SM7B style body

Some examples of how the rehoused Behringer Broadcast XM8500 (I'm calling it the SM-BB1 :)) sounds with and without processing on it.

Some great free plugins from Analog Obsession
https://www.patreon.com/analogobsession/posts

EQing The Broadcast Behringer XM8500 (SM-BB1)

Review of the Aston Starlight microphpne for spoken word with comparisons to Rode M3, Sennheiser MKH416, Shure SM7B and NT1A with K47 Capsule.

Review: Aston Starlight for spoken word

The legendary Shure SM7B comes up against a fairly unknown opponent in the Beyer Dynamic M201TG, a dynamic instrument microphone that happen to be incredible on voices.

All audio is unprocessed, recorded using the Zen Go with no cloudlifters in sight! Like, share and subscribe !

Beyerdynamic M 210 TG v Shure SM7B in 60 seconds

A comparison of two great shotgun mics that can be used for voiceover or podcasting. Very different price points, but can you tell the difference ? All audio is unprocessed and normalized to -23 LUFS. Like, share, and subscribe !

Audio Technica AT875R v Sennheiser MKH416 in 60 seconds

Introducing the DSB-1, a DIY yoke-mounting broadcast dynamic mic you can make for as little as $30. How does it compare to the Se V7, XM8500, Rode Procaster,  Beyerdynamic M201TG and the legendary Shure SM7B? Please like, share and subscribe!

Blog articles: https://darksideofthemic.co.uk/post/653237853242998784/introducing-the-dsb-1-a-diy-broadcast-dynamic
https://darksideofthemic.co.uk/post/649454811868217344/blog-turning-the-the-xm8500-into-a-mini-sm7b

The DSB-1: a DIY Broadcast Dynamic Mic

A comparison and review of the sE Electronics V7 and V7x supercardioid microphones. Are these the best dynamic mics for podcasting on a budget? Any budget? Comparisons to Rode Procaster, Shure SM7B, Dark Side DSB-1, Beyerdynamic M201TG ...Please like, share and subscribe!

Equipment list in this video:

Golden Age Project Pre73 MKIII Preamp: https://www.goldenageproject.com/outboards-2/pre-73-mkiii/
Antelope Audio Zen Go Synergy Core: https://en.antelopeaudio.com/products/zen-go-synergy-core/
sE V7: https://www.seelectronics.com/se-v7-dynamic-microphone
sE V7x: https://www.seelectronics.com/se-v7-x-dynamic-instrument-microphone
Shure SM7B: https://www.shure.com/en-GB/products/microphones/sm7b
Beyerdynamic M201 TG: https://europe.beyerdynamic.com/m-201-tg.html
Rode Procaster: http://www.rode.com/microphones/procaster

Useful Links:

Anton Browne's Video on V7 / V7x:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KysnvthnzgY

Jimmy Reid's Alienation Speech in full:
https://www.gla.ac.uk/media/Media_167194_smxx.pdf

Review: sE Electronics V7 & V7x

The most incredible 'sleeper' microphone ? The sE Electronics X1 S has been out for about 4 years but there's very little spoken word reviews online. This changes today with some comparisons to Shure KSM32, Lewitt MTP740CM, Sennheiser MKH416 and the Rode M3. Please like, share and subscribe!

sE X1S Review for spoken word

Small but perfectly formed, the Line audio CM4 is a tiny XLR plug-sized wide cardioid condenser mic with a practically linear frequency response. This is it up against a few others including Rode M2, M3, Videomicro, Aston Starlight and Sennhesier MKH416.

Line Audio CM4 Review for spoken word

Can you get the sound of a ribbon mic from a dynamic capsule? This recording compares the the KAM RT-1 capsule and a series of 'dark' dynamic mics including Shure SM7B, Rode Procaster, Behringer XM8500, sE V7x, Beyerdynamic M201 TG and the sE X1 Ribbon as a baseline.

KAM RT1 - 'Dark' dynamic mic comparison

A quick comparison of the sE electronics V7x and the Beyerdynamic M201 TG, both instrument dynamic mics but very capable spoken word mics too with a similar frequency response. How do they differ and by how much?

Sound the same? sE Electronics V7X v Beyerdynamic M201 TG

In this clip we look at the Beyerdynamic MPC 65, a boundary microphone which, when used closely at proximity, still retains that signature 'Beyer' mid forward sound making it an unconventional but compelling option for voice recordings. These mics often come up on eBay for peanuts and are a crazy bargain for the sound that comes out of them.

A Natural Boundary? The Beyerdynamic MPC65 for spoken word

Is this a contender for best budget dynamic microphone you can buy? The Prodipe TT1 Pro-Lanen certainly punches well above its weight and makes a compelling choice for a podcast mic.

Prodipe TT1 Pro-Lanen Review

A brief chat on the ethics of microphone production as we look at the Depusheng C350, a £22 cardioid dynamic microphone that is pretty much a blatant Lewitt clone. Is it worth considering? Should you?

Depusheng C350 Lewitt Clone...an ethical dilemma !

Is your NT1A too harsh and bright sounding? Today we upgrade the capsule of the Rode NT1A using a £40 K47 capsule from Aliexpress. This  completely transforms the mic into a classic vintage sound, much darker and smoother in the high end.

NT1A K47 Upgrade

Epic review of the sE Electronics new #DynaCaster including Rodecaster Pro preamp test, comparisons to V7, V7x, SM7B, M201TG, M59, BCM 705 and Procaster.

sE DynaCaster Review..are there too many 'casters' now?

Today we compare 3 homemade lavaliers with the Rode Lavalier Go asking can we get a similar or better sound by replacing the capsule of a dirt cheap Amazon / Aliexpress Lav mic.

DIY Lavaliers: Hobos with a Soldering Iron

Today we review and compare the 3U Warbler MKI large diaphragm condenser mic with a sound signature that aims to emulate a vintage Neumann U87. The mic offers an incredible high spec component list for a price where it's difficult to see how this could ever be profitable. I've included Comparisons to Shure KSM32, Sennheiser MKH416, sE X1s, Rode K47, Lewitt MTP 740 CM and Shure SM7B. Please like, share and subscribe!

3u Audio Warbler MK1 Review...beyond good value.

This week we look at two vintage Beyerdynamic M55s. I think its fair to say these mics have a bit of a cult following as a very inexpensive way of achieving that old school retro sound of the 1960s in quite possibly, one of the coolest looking designs of all time. We jump back and forth between two copies (they are different!) and do some EQ on them as well. Please Like share and subscribe!

Vintage M55 Microphones: a tale of two Beyers

Today we compare the Sennhesier MKE 400 II, a £150/$200 on camera mini shotgun with the Godfather of shotgun mics, the $1000 MKH 416, asking what makes a good on-camera mic. Please like, share and subscribe!

Sennheiser Face off: MKE 400 II v MKH 416

Today we compare 3U Audio Warbler MKI large diaphragm condenser mic with their premium model, the GZ251 FET. Both mics offer an incredible high spec component list for prices at much less than you would expect. Please like, share and subscribe!

Youtube link: https://youtu.be/9FTB6Ud0-m4

3U Audio Warbler Mk1 V GZ251 Fet Shootout

Looking for your first mic? I think these two represent excellent budget options that make it very easy to sound good if you are just starting out in audio. More importantly, You'll also want to keep them as you progress - The M3 was my first mic and and still have it!

Rode M2 v Rode M3: Best 1st mic?

How close does the sE DynaCaster get to the Shure SM7B? We look at the most comparable on board EQ settings and noise performance for achieving that signature dark dynamic sound for spoken word.

sE DynaCaster V Shure SM7B: A serious alternative?

Comparison of the Rode VideoMic GO II against Sennhesier MKE400

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcstS5nZfpQ

Rode VideoMic GO II v Sennhesier MKE400

The IK Multimedia iRig Pre HD is on offer at the moment and can comfortably run the SM7B with really clean gain in a small portable device. Here is a demonstration.

IRig Pre HD with the SM7B

First listen of the Austrian Audio OD505 Handheld active dynamic mic, a premium offering thats bright but still unusually smooth!

Austrian Audio OD505 Dynamic mic

The CAD Equitek E50 offers a simple, barebones entry into a classic line of microphones and it's currently on offer for around $80. Am I missing something or is this one of the most overlooked mics of the last year?

YouTube review: https://youtu.be/oElfIlcIQPA

CAD Equitek E50 Review

Short comparison between these two great recorders using the SM7B, a notoriously gain hungry mic - which is cleaner and does 32 bit float matter ?

Video link
https://youtu.be/eYITNHwDXvw

Zoom F3 v Podtrak P4 Preamp test (with Shure SM7B)

When is a bright mic not really a bright mic? In this review we look at the Austrian Audio OD505, premium handheld supercardioid active dynamic microphone thats incredibly warm and smooth in spite of its frequency response.

Austrian Audio OD505 Review

Looking at a the 3U Audio Warbler 127-H hypercardioid as an indoor dialogue mic so here it is alongside the Sennheiser MKH416. The 127 is about £200 and extra capsules £100 each. The Cardioid-flat capsule is quite a belter, more of this coming soon!

3u Audio Warbler 127 V Sennheiser MKH 416

Comparison of the 1st dynamic I ever bought and the last one (thus far!), So we have the Electrovoice Re20 compared to the Rode Procaster, both quite similar broadcast dynamic mics with some little differences.

Electrovoice RE 20 V Rode Procaster

Short comparison of two small diaphragm condenser mics, Lewitt LCT 040 and the Line audio CM4. Please like, share and subscribe!

Line Audio CM4 v Lewitt LCT 040

Short comparison of two great small diaphragm condenser mics, the sE electronics SE8 and the Line audio CM4. Please like, share and subscribe!

Line Audio CM4 v sE Electronics SE8

Sometimes old, fairly noisy mics can receive a second wind if we think about them differently. I was quite astonished how close the Beyerdynamic MCE 86 II comes to the Electrovoice RE20. Apart from the noise, can you tell them apart ?

Video on https://youtube.com/shorts/yEhzgMAp0d0

An RE20 for Hobos? - Beyerdynamic MCE 86 II

'The Dark Side of the Mic' is an audio channel run by Mike Rea, offering microphone tests and reviews in real world situations to improve your spoken word content for podcasts, voiceovers and video projects. This last year has really allowed me to focus a bit more on audio recording and it's something I've really connected with. Feel free to ask questions in the comments, I'll do my best to respond with something helpful! Embrace the dark side of the mic!

The Dark Side of the Mic

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