Electro-voice RE-10 Query

davey bananas · Electro-voice RE-10 Query

Hi, and greetings from Blighty! I could use some help from any cats that have RE-10 experience.

A mate of mine (a non-harp player) gave me an RE-10 which was surplus to his requirements. Now this is a mic I have no personal experience of, and I don't know anyone near me that uses one (perhaps they're not so common in the UK).

To cut along story short I CANNOT GET ANYTHING RESEMBLING A DECENT SOUND OUT OF THE THING!

The sound that I am getting is ultra thin, with absolute zero bottom end. Sure, there is a decent 'ratty' sound somewhere in there trying to get out, but I'm damned if I can get at it!

I've tried it on a few different amps, and I've run 'side by side' checks against an SM58 into my mixing desk, and looking at the VU meters I can see that the output signals are similar, but the SM58 has much more depth. I've tried numerous impedance matching transformers, etc, but all to no avail.

One thing I have noticed is that it is very susceptible to handling noise - you can hear every little hand movement, which you can't on the SM58.

Another thing, these mics are supposed to be good for vocals - this one ain't - it could make Barry White sound like a choirister whose bollocks hadn't dropped! That is of course if The Walrus of Love was alive....

So there you have it - a mic that sounds like an empty tin of baked beans, handles like one noisy Mutha, and feeds back at the drop of a hat.

So can anyone throw this mic a lifeline, before I throw it into the North Sea! Groove On, Davey.

gheumann

I have an RE10. I got it because I had a lot of customers asking about it when jason Ricci was playing through one. Interesting that since he switched to an SM57 about a year ago, nobody asks about the RE10 any more but the SM57 queries are on the rise. Anyway, I never play through the thing - its just sitting in my collection. That means "I ain't no RE10 expert".

However, I suspect you have a bad mic. Mine isn't THAT bad. On the other hand it certainly isn't a dirty harp mic. Jason uses a lot of electronic effects, so he likes a very clean signal coming from the mic. Pedals don't do well when handed a dirty signal.

davey bananas

Thanks Greg - I agree, I think it is 'just a bad mic'.

Oh, well......

Mike67

I've always preferred the SM57...louder, bassier, less highs. I have an RE10 and a different EV that has the same element. It does sound good, don't get me wrong. I think something is wrong with yours.

Carlos Del Junco still used the RE10 and he has great tone. I like cupping the RE10, and I can dial in a great sound on amps with bass controls. I was/am looking to sell one RE10 since I have two on top of the two sm57 mics I mostly use as well. However, I like them enough to keep one.

jlemko

I've thought the RE-10's were somewhat clean sounding. Can you get a decent tone out of a SM58? If not, maybe it isn't the microphone.

Jeffrey Spoor

Charlie Musslewhite used to play a 58 through the PA - no amp!

gheumann

Kenny Neal also plays a 58 through the PA. I've never heard anyone who gets a sweeter, nicer tone out of this combination than him. I sure as hell can't.