Best Cardiod Mic for the Money? sE8 Review

[@TomKaszuba]

You sir have a superb screen presence. Terrific presentation. Thank you very much.

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

Many thanks Tom!

[@1fattyfatman]

Agree, def sensing a high quality acting background.

[@DA-lp4rh]

love this review - I'm photographer of 30 years, strobe / studio / location / etc... and newer to videography - after starting off my videography journey, I see how much more technical it is and difficult- thought there are plenty of cross over skills that have been useful. If I could go back and start fresh, I would have placed learning audio, and subsequently what types of mics to use for each situation, way higher on my skill check off sheet. I was using some PicoGear lav mics for over a year and then an MKE600 - which sounded not so good indoors - and then I learned about this style of mic and have been shopping for about 3-months for an affordable mic and this was on my list. The fact that you do this for a living added all the weight I needed to make my decision to give this mic a try - thanks so much for this video, and especially the elongated un-processed access to the audio file - wonderful review.

[@NicoDeclerckBelgium]

Good and honest review. You can buy replacement omni and cardioid capsules.

[@kingsqueak2221]

I picked up an SE8 a while back partly due to your video. Very impressive mic for the price and your video is a very good representation of it, particularly on speech.

[@gotflute123]

You video review is well thought out, well produced, and well shot. Well done. Didn't know bout this mic: trying to stay away from multiple thousand dollar mics as I get back into some classical recording, and I think this is one to audition. Thanks again for the hard work!

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

Thanks! I've been using it as my go-to mic for recording dialogue/speech. I do find that it's not completely neutral. I mentioned the warm low frequencies (which I've also found to be incredibly smooth) and the slight punch in the high frequencies. While I prefer it for a lot of my work (interviews and things like that), it has become increasingly clear that my modified Oktava is more natural/flat. Definitely worth an audition, but it's not as "invisible" a mic as some.

[@Mikey__R]

You're absolutely right, lows and low mids definitely do seem very well captured. I'm after a stereo pair to mic up my brothers drum kit, the full midrange will definitely be useful in recording a more retro sound without needing to add close mics. They are a little more brittle up top than the Neumanns, but at a quarter of the price I would be willing to spend a little more time in post. Thanks for the review, this mic is definitely on the shortlist!

[@AlexanderSuppermann]

Thanks for the video! It's probably one of the best review of the mic on KZbin

[@carlosmonzon7884]

I love your review and I always comeback to watch it once in a while. I got two pair of these and I really love them, I've been using them, mainly, for music production. Voice and piano, Oboe, trombone and piano. At the right distance and careful leveling, I've been able to capture some really good 'natural' sounds from the different instruments. So far, I've not used any pads or cuts, just distance and some compression. I'm not expert, but I know I like good sound quality and these have not disappointed. They really capture a lot of detail, I'm very happy with these!

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

Yes, me too. With voice the mics are lovely, but I have noticed that they're not "invisible..." so I use them when I want a lusher sound.

[@jilsky]

ah beautifully made video. thank you

[@TheKameraBerlin]

Good review. There are omni capsules available for these microphones to exchange the cardiod capsules with

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

Yes! Omni isn't especially useful for video work, so I didn't mention it. But for music it's probably excellent. After a few months, it's still my favorite for indoor work, but I am aware that the sound is a bit "sculptured" rather than natural or neutral. An important consideration for narrative film where you don't want the sense of being on mic.

[@petermeier1910]

@@hurricaneimagesmedia I do a lot of music video live recording/filming. Depending on the situation omni does a good job.

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

Yes, I think music and ambience (such as for film) are best for the omni pattern. I think hypercardiods are over-used (though I'm occasionally guilty of that myself); but I've fallen in love with the cardiod pattern-- and the fuller sound in comparison to the hypercardiods I can afford.

[@jonathanfegel307]

Great video! They do have omni capsules available :)

[@patrickchase5614]

It's worth noting that the SE8's capsule is on the big side for a "small-diameter" mic. This comes with advantages and drawbacks, and it's important to understand both. On the plus side larger capsules tend to have lower self-noise, and that's reflected in the SE8's specs. The only small-diaphragm condensers (SDC) that I know of that bests it in that department is the Sennheiser 8000 series, but those cost 3-4x more. IMO this alone explains the 2 dB noise improvement relative to the Rode NT55. On the plus side larger diaphragm hurts pattern uniformity across frequencies. At high frequencies (8 kHz and above) the diaphragm diameter becomes significant relative to the audio signal's wavelength, and that causes the pattern to "collapse" with reduced off-axis response at high frequencies. The SE8's polar diagrams show that it does so more than smaller-diaphragm SDCs, but less than large-diaphragm mics. It's all a tradeoff. I think that like all SE products the SE8 is a very competently-executed mic, but I don't think that it offers better value than, say, the NT55. It just makes a different tradeoff between on-axis noise and performance and off-axis pattern uniformity. I think that it could be very useful for somebody who only has one cardioid mic, since it's something of a "split the difference" option.

[@jezamania]

Thanks, I really appreciated the real world unprocessed sound : thanks. 👍

[@otter-pro]

Wow, that sE8 sounds fantastic. While I was planning to get an sE7, I might upgrade straight to sE8.

[@JGlassy]

Great review. I’m looking at the SE8 vs the Lewitt LCT-140 air (for music production, not videography); tough decision. I’d love your take on these two, though I recognize you may be set with your existing SE-8 choices. Thanks again for the hype free, solid review of the Oktava vs SE8!

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

I haven't used the Lewitt, so I can't speak to it with real knowledge. If you don't know ppm6.tv you should check him out. He's reviewed it extensively: www.youtube.com/@ppmtv-qh9qk Which means he likes it a lot. He doesn't have the best voice for distinguishing mic characteristics (lovely but gravelly)....

[@jonjonlambo]

love your reviews thank you!!!

[@worldgonewrong2049]

Excellent review!

[@alexandervalledor]

What about the se8 vs rode nt5?

[@mustafaunsoy]

For all those fellow flute and woodwind players out there.. if you can not afford a Neumann KM 184, this is the best microphone you can get (provided you use correct positioning). Trust me, I have been there. After buying (and returning some) SM 57/58, Beta 57a, V7, V7x, NT1A, NT1, NT5, Oktava MK012, ... This sounds by far the best on a flute (and probably other woodwinds).

[@hautboiz]

For recording whole orchestra or Quintet, would you go with the omni or cardoid se8?

[@Akeynote]

This is great! Thank you

[@bigbarkingdog2010]

Excellent video. Thank you.

[@nicholasboule5134]

Thank you for this review

[@innerpower-meditation]

Why i hear background noise when i record my music?

[@HeathcliffBlair]

Good reviewing! Useful comparison. Thanks.

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

Thanks!

[@silverlightphotoco]

Really nice😃 I'm looking forward to your review on the video light too, as I'm looking for a replacement for my old LED panel studio lights, that are no longer available, so I don't feel good recommending them to others, etc.

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

Thanks! Hopefully I won't take forever to get the Nanlite video out... Dang, I'm slow.

[@silverlightphotoco]

@@hurricaneimagesmedia It's quite all right😃 I can tell from your poetic delivery, to your well-balanced/artistic composition and perfect lighting that you put a lot into each video...and I really appreciate this😃

[@Dracomies]

Interesting. I might check it out. Have you ever heard of the Sennheiser E614? That's another SDC to check out too.

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

I don't have any real experience with the E614 that's helpful-- but Podcastage did a great review of the Lewitt CT140 that compared it against the E614 and about eight other condensers. He only did a single distance of 6 inches, but it's nice to hear a wide range from $150 to $1200 mics back to back. kzbin.info/www/bejne/pqu8aHRrnK2fgpY

[@zedbleu4444]

Thanks a lot for this video. It helps a lot... I'm about to buy a pair of these. I'm just wondering if I'll buy the cardioid or omni ones... It's for recording sound ambiances in the woods, near a lake, country side places..., in the middle of a big city, ... Thanks again!

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

Great question. Personally, I like having some control over directionality, even with ambient recordings (if, say, I want to capture the stream with less of the woods). But you might ask these guys what they think, since they do this for a living: www.youtube.com/@FreeToUseSounds

[@zedbleu4444]

Thanks for sharing the link @@hurricaneimagesmedia !

[@ngocehgayabebas2118]

What recorder that you use for this video sir?

[@lalandejulien6945]

Hello, very nice job and revue of this mic, can you detail in vidéo your light setting for video recording because this are crazy good result. thanks for all

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

My setup is ridiculously simple. I used the Nanlite FS 300 (which I reviewed) in an umbrella softbox (which I also reviewed-- "My favorite Light Modifier"); a Zuma LED 60 (which I... yes, reviewed) with a blue gel pointed at my backdrop/fireplace; and a tiny iKan light (which I highlighted in "6 Unique Production Gifts Under $50") for a hair/rim light. The trick is really the GRID in the umbrella softbox, which allows me to feather the light off the background... which in turn makes my white fireplace very blue from the ZUMA. The rim light just ads a bit of interest.

[@blackjono2000]

Superb video!!!! Cheers

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

Thanks! I really appreciate it.

[@robertfontaine3650]

There is a great comparison on youtube between the MK-012 and the Neumann; Mid-Side Recording Technique; Neumann vs Oktava Microphone Test. TL;DR The Oktava is a good mic but no Neumann (It sounds less full - you can hear the difference pretty clearly). The Se8 is interesting though and I'm curious how it compares to the AT4051 or 53 which seems like a bit more of an appropriate shootout. The Oktava's biggest weakness is that it is a noisy mic does the Se8 improve on this?

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

Hi Robert, I'm afraid that I'm not the guy for sound-floor tests.... as you can see from this video, my environment is very noisy, and all of the audio locations (being a video guy) will be noisy, too. There have been complaints about the Se8 noise floor, and accusations that the company has been misleading (I doubt this is true; it's more likely that they used a different test criteria/setup). So you might be disappointed in that department. I've seen a couple of comparisons between the Neumann and 102, but they've all been music-- which is a great way to compare but being a video guy I'm looking at dialogue outside of a studio setting... and my mic is modified. I have no idea how it compares to an un-modified Oktava. Having used the Se8 for several months now, I have become more aware that it's not a "natural" flat sound. It's definitely sculpted. For use in a narrative film, for example, it will draw attention to itself in a way that the Oktava does not.

[@dakotaovdan]

Thank you for this vid, very helpful. Do you have any recommendations for a deadcat cover for these mics?

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

Hi Dakota, sorry for the slow response-- holiday craziness. I don't know of one specifically, though I tend to think a deadcat is a deadcat; it's such a simple design that it's just about the right fit. And you probably won't find one that doesn't swallow the mic whole (when really you only need to cover the tip). In windy conditions, though, I'd be more likely to grab a traditional shotgun mic for noise rejection, and I've got a deadcat for those mics.

[@dakotaovdan]

@@hurricaneimagesmedia okay, thanks! Happy new year!

[@plagueofkoalas]

Heard a lot about these having much higher self noise than the advertised 13dBa A weighted.

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

Yes, I've read a few comments that said that, too, though never with an actual dB claim. It's usually been a, "I've got an X and it's quieter" situation, which makes it difficult to put in context. Determining actual noise level is tricky of course, requiring an anechoic chamber or something close to it, compensation for the different sensitivities of mics-- and then how the preamp's noise changes at different gain levels to compensate for sensitivity-- and of course if you're using your ears to judge, you've got frequency boosts and dips in your playback system. And we haven't even gotten to the A weighted part of the conversation (I read one comment that stated the sE8 was 6dB higher than another mic at 15KHz, but the A system slopes down after 12KHz, so what does that mean for the comparison?). Nonetheless, I feel like there have been enough complaints that something is likely off from the reported specs.... Of course, what you use them for is also a consideration. If you do studio recordings then noise floor is a bigger issue than if you're taking them out for field interviews and such (where the environmental noise floor is well above the mics). I'm in no real position to judge because, as I said in the video, my room is relatively noisy....

[@GeraldBertramPhotography]

I also have a Jolly modded MK012 (not to mention the same pair of Sony cans!) and unfortunately for my wallet you are making quite a good argument for me to grab an SE8. I love my MK012 but I have a very sibilant voice which isn't the best for the Oktava but I had resigned myself to live with it as I hadn't found another mic better than it at that price. I think you might have.

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

Wow, we've really traveled some of the same equipment journeys, what with the Artcise, too. One thing I didn't notice until I was editing the video is the sE8 has a boost between 5-10KHz (I went back and found it on their spec sheet to confirm). If that's where you're sibilance is, it might still be an issue. My Oktava is definitely a little brighter between 500-1K, and at times it sounds a little boxier in that range compared to the sE. I'll say I went through three stages with this mic: first, I was very impressed and pleased. Then, after comparing to the Oktava, I was a bit disappointed that it wasn't a bigger improvement, only a slight step up. And finally, I became I little more pleased with just HOW it was a step up. One thing that stood out is that it needs so very little post processing. You can tell from my video that there's not a big change between my processed audio and the raw (though I think I still need to fine tune how I process this mic to get the best quality). And as I encourage you to think twice I'll also point out that there's an open box version on eBay for $200: www.ebay.com/itm/154670600213?epid=2265374558&hash=item2403161015:g:0RIAAOSw63RhZHfe I bought mine from these guys.

[@GeraldBertramPhotography]

@@hurricaneimagesmedia Thanks so much for that detailed reply. I might just hold off for awhile. I've been trying to put money away for the venerable 416 but just thinking about that cost hurts my heart!

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

@@GeraldBertramPhotography Yes, I've struggled with my impulse to buy a 416 for about a year now... worrying that it won't be enough of an improvement to justify the cost (though maybe it will provide the peace of mind...?). I'm realizing I should probably rent one for a day to see what I think. Here in the San Francisco area that's about $60, which hurts a bit, too. One thing this review did for me was provide some peace of mind about my Oktava. Since I was never sure it was a MJ mod, I was always uneasy about how it compared to a really good mic. Now I feel it's in the same ballpark, or at least close enough for the work I do.

[@nosecondlost]

The sE8 seems to be a great mic! The discussion about the self noise is a stupid thing because it says nothing about how the microphone works and sounds. Most of the people even don't know how "self noise" is measured! In the end it says nothing - there are legendary mic's out there with a horrible self noise or sound profile but everyone loves them because everyone loves them! And if some people say this mic is noisy a lot of other people will say:"This mic is noisy!" without trying it before talking about it. To me the sE8 sounds great and there is absolutely nothing that is impossible to work on in post (if you really need to!). Most of the people do what most of the other people do - thanks to sE that they do what they want!

[@hurricaneimagesmedia]

I mostly agree-- definitely that it's a great sounding mic... and also that "self noise" becomes one of those easy complaints. For certain types of recording-- like singers with a particular range, for example-- self noise can get amplified in the post processing as the signal is compressed and manipulated, but the sE8 is exceptional at most of what it's here to do... and the vast majority of professional users haven't found noise to be a concern. It's my go-to mic for indoor recording now.

[@EugeneMaynard]

👍🏾🙏🏾

[@jazzlehazzle]

"Noy-mann." :)