Electro Voice RE-11 Mic - More trouble than it’s worth?

[nvilletele]

I recently was given some older recording equipment, comprised of two Yamaha HS-50M powered monitors, a cheap Digital Reference DR-VX1 mic, an M-Audio Fast Track DI, a bunch of cables, and one Electro Voice RE-11 mic.

In looking into the equipment, I realized the DR mic and the DI were pretty basic stuff, the Yamaha monitors and the RE-11 seemed to be fairly well regarded among the cognoscenti. Though older products, these were all in great shape, so I was pleased to have been the recipient of these, or at least of the monitors and one mic.

In doing some research on the small trove of equipment I was granted, I came upon this review for the RE-11. This guy tells it like it is. Or at least partly, as he also tells some of which it isn’t. (I just found it kind of hilarious, at least the first time I read it.)

What is the thought amongst the mic mavens here re this mic?

 

[loudboy]

EV doesn't really make any bad mics, try it on some stuff and see if it works. It's a super-cardioid, and I think the Variable-D feature cuts down on proximity effect somewhat. Might be cool on snare top or bottom, or a guitar cab. Maybe even the body on an acoustic guitar?

 

[Ben Harmless]

I've not used the RE11, but I fully concur with loudboy that EV doesn't make bad mics. I HAVE used RE20s, RE55s, RE50/RE635s, and most recently a pair of N/D 468s. All slightly different flavors, all good. I even have a trio of cool looking 623s that don't sound half bad, but slightly predate EV's magic-recipe-era.

It will not sound like a sparkley, modern condenser, but there's still a reason why people point EV dynamics at acoustic guitars. I won't promise it's perfect, but point it at some stuff and judge it with the knowlege that old EV dynamics are very well respected.

 

[cobaltu]

I may be wrong, but I believe that the RE-11 was basically an RE-16 that didn't quite meet the exacting standards that were were expected of the RE-16. There is probably a decent amount of variation from one example to the next, especially given it's vintage. However, as others have mentioned, it's probably a pretty good mic.

EV made a lot of really sturdy "all-rounders". Many of them have "variable-D" (reduced proximity effect), low off-axis coloration, and fairly flat frequency responses. All-and-all a very honest mic. I think a lot of people don't get these mics because they don't necessarily sound awesome instantly. You know, like how SM-57's are fairly idiot-proof on electric guitars. But with a bit of massaging in post, they are really great.

Try it on your voice first, it was designed for broadcast.