The topic of mics show up here allot with reactions to cost of better mics.
I thought I'd give a heads up on a mic I thought would be a great deal for any sax player, but especially the young guys that might not have a big budget.
This week I had two nights at a jazz club that is the size(as most) that needs a mic. This is the size club where I don't use a wireless and my usual desire is a EV RE20 or MD 441 or 421. I did not have a mic brought to the club but the engineer had a EV ND468 that he said he had been using them in studio and live with great results for horn players.
Well he was right! I could easily hear my front sound in the club and this mic is rich and similar to a RE20. I asked him if it was some new equivalent and was told it was not, just another model but at a price around $130.
Back home I was interested enough to look it up on line and did find very good reviews on it, so if your needing a mic or something better than what you are currently using check it out.
I have been using the 468 for a few years now...based on a review I think I read here somewhere ... the best mic for my purposes for WELL under $200 ...I think I paid $125 in NYC
Lamplight ...I find my EV is a LOT more responsive than the Shures ... I have had absolutely no feedback coming from my mic placement as I did with my Shure ... I also feel I have more flexibility with placement ...meaning I don't have to be as on top of the mic which is great for Sop ... I prefer backing off any mic for sop work ...
Iv'e heard and tried the Shure SM57 and SM58 for flute and thought they sounded shrill and thin compared to the Sennheisers. I didn't get a chance to AB any EVs.
The mics I mentioned (EV RE20 or MD 441 or 421) are much, much better than a 58 or 57. They are quite a bit more expensive also. The reason for my thread is that EV ND468 is such a great sounding horn mic...and I used it on tenor, alto, soprano and flute, to answer another...and that it is only around $130.
I've ordered two of them just to have with our sound trunks if needed. I still prefer a RE20 for a mic and have been using at larger venues a AMT Wi5II.
As a dynamic with a supercardioid and a very large voice coil it does a great job for horns. And although I'm no vocalist by any means (more like a Chet Baker) I did sing through it on a couple tunes I do. If you're looking for a mic, I think you would be pleased with the 468.
I use a SD Systems LCM 89 for years now and I very satisfied with it.
It's was made in the 90s in the Netherlands and after a break of some years now it is availabel again.
Pat
I've used the SD setup a few years ago also and it was pretty good for a wireless (use a AMT or Samson now days) but nothing can beat a really good mic. Last night I chose a RE20 over the AMT because I knew the audience was a real 'listening audience', the type of room you'd love to be using a Royer or a Coles!
Keep in mind that the Shure "Beta" 57 should be better than the standard 57 which, unfortunately, many sound people still feel is good for the horn section.
I love the 468, especially for the price. It's on my short list right now. I've been finding a lot of mics comparable in price to the 57/58 that sound much better. I can't stand the sound of the 57 (at least on horns).
The 468 excels on nearly everything i've tried. Guitar cabs, rock male voice, trumpet, trombone, toms - as mentioned saxophones.
Thought i'd add...I don't know what the difference would be, but the predecessor to the 468 is the 408. There was also a 308 which had a squared off mic grill. I was told by an EV dealer that EV frequently changed model numbers to create some buzz around their products. Can't confirm or deny.
However, I've owned/used all three at one point or another and all three did a good job on alto and tenor sax. Honestly didn't hear a difference between the 408 and 468. If you can wait for an ebay auction, a 408 can be had for around $100 - probably less.
Oh man ..now the secret is out ...lol ....good luck with them guys ..I sincerely do like mine a lot ... I also have a number of the mic stand adapters since these are a lot thinner and I was constantly misplacing them ...now I have one at each of my bands PA systems plus my own mic stand ... still have the original ... EV sent me one when I lost my forst one (found it a few months later) and I also have a rubber one which works a lot easier ..
I too hate the SM57's. They sound too tinny and harsh for horns. Sound crews think they're gospel for horns though but I always ask for a sm58 or beta version if I don't have my own horn. They sound better and is a decent all around mic and everybody has one. IMO the sm57 suit percussion instruments best.
Will the EV ND468 also work well for voice? I don't have sax mic and would also like to record my toddler son's voice. Looking for something that will work for both. Answers appreciated - thanks!
I just got one to replace an SM57 for both home recording and live big band solos. Did my first recording with it, and my what a difference! Much fatter in the middle without losing highs. Looking forward to trying it on a gig Saturday.
Used my N/D468 on a live gig for the first time last night - miking alto and tenor solos for a big band. The improvement over the SM57 was quite striking. A much fatter, less harsh sound; much closer to (what I hope is) our real sax sound.
Well all this talk about the N/D468 gave me the itch. I have been using the Shure Beta 57 for years for alto/tenor sax and vocals. So I ordered the N/D468 on trial.
Had 3 gigs in a row last week using the N/D468. Absolute pleasure to use in all respects. Excellent tone.
John ...I have been using the 468 for a few years now for alto/tenor .... best mic I ever used to help get that fat tenor with RPC .115 sound out and through the speakers ... same with the alto with the RPC HB ... once in a while we use a sound guy and "how sweet it is!!"
With regards to the keen clamp I guessing you would need to have a separate clamp for soprano. I would be using it for alto. Is there anyway to incorporate this into a wireless shure ulx?
Andrew
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