LEWITT LCT 440 PURE Microphone - Voice Over & Podcast Perspective

In today’s episode, we review the LEWITT LCT 440 PURE large diaphragm condenser microphone from the perspective of podcasting and voice over. This microphone is priced at $269 USD at the time of this review and performs very nicely for that price. In the review we include recorded samples as well as off-axis and practical noise tests.
#LEWITT #LCT440PURE #Microphone
Difference between true condenser and electret condenser: www.neumann.co...
If you’d like to learn how to make great dialogue audio for your film and video projects, please have a look at my courses at school.learnli... including processing dialogue audio in Adobe Audition and DaVinci Resolve/Fairlight, recording sound, how to use the Zoom F4, F6, F8, and F8n, and how to get the most from the Sound Devices MixPre series of recorders.
Gear used or mentioned in this episode. The links below are Amazon.com, B&H Photo, Sweetwater, Pictureline or other affiliate links. As an affiliate, I earn from qualifying purchases:
- LEWITT LCT 440 PURE Microphone - B&H, Amazon geni.us/DZdfn
- Sound Devices 888 audio mixer/recorder - B&H, Sweetwater geni.us/zAryW4J
- Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 6K used for the main talking head shots - B&H, Pictureline geni.us/uK8UqB
- Sigma 24-70 f/2.8 DG OS HSM ART Lens - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon geni.us/bhOWVlW
- Blackmagic Pocket Cinema Camera 4K used for most of the B-roll - B&H, Pictureline geni.us/dQZBsy
- Olymus 45mm f/1.8 lens - B&H, Amazon geni.us/6cvOQ
- Canon C200 camera used in some of the b-roll shots - B&H, Pictureline geni.us/9Zi4m4a
- Canon 24-105 f/4L IS Lens - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon geni.us/kZyU7e
- Panasonic GH5 camera - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon geni.us/InspOl
- Panasonic 12-35mm f/2.8 OIS lens - B&H, Pictureline, Amazon geni.us/gr47
Take your films to the next level with music from Musicbed. Sign up for a free account to listen for yourself: geni.us/G7by
Copyright 2020, Curtis Judd

[@curtisjudd]

Hey soundies! Keep in mind - every voice is different and everyone's ears are different. There is no such thing as the BEST microphone for everyone's voice. The LCT 440 PURE is a great microphone and seems to especially suit darker voices without a lot of sibilance. I like the sound of this microphone on my wife's voice more than on my voice. You can hear samples in our overview of voice over microphones - kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6rNq3uVrZiSmqs

[@tombuck]

Curtis Judd hugely important point here! There are so many different voices and preferences out there. I always appreciate your in depth professionalism 👍

[@curtisjudd]

@@tombuck Thanks Tom and same to you!

[@dylanj8676]

Yeah, less sibilant female voices are where classic AKG and AKG inspired mics really shine.

[@deadendkid1968]

@@dylanj8676 You would be suprised how the Shure KSM32 works for that...the AKG C414 stays in the locker nowdays...

[@TommyTucker77]

You sound great on this Curtis. Thanks for the review. I am zeroing in on this and like what I'm learning. The brightness would be right for me! B&H suggested it to me, but I wasn't sure, as I don't hear much about this brand as I do others. Lots of good mics out there. Now I need treatment and space solutions.

[@nscaledelights]

Thanks for the review Curtis even though Im not in the market for a microphone now I enjoy your reviews. I hope you and your family are doing well in this age of COVID-19.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks and best wishes to you, too!

[@vaidehiarts]

Actually liking this mic a lot for your voice Curtis! It seems to have a certain nice roll-off (not sure of the exact term to define it, honestly.. maybe warmth?) and works well. The sibilance is a bit of an issue, but not bothering me as much yet

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@BasicFilmmaker]

Not a bad VO mic for the price. Yeah, I’m sneaking in a watch while the wife is making an awesome breakfast. Shhhhhhhh.... 😁

[@curtisjudd]

Hey - you had better wash the dishes, bro. 🤓

[@baloup571]

@@curtisjudd Hey Curt! Sorry if I stumble with questions, but I'm in the middle of an important purchase for me. First question: I'm a filmmaker i've a Sony a7 III and i want a good audio for both internal and external shooting, If I take a Rode ntg3 would it cause problems with my Zoomh4n? I ask because I was about to buy the Deity V-Mic D3 Pro for 225 euros but I just found a seller nearby who sells a new Rode NTG3 never opened for 400 euros. I want to avoid a bad association I made in the past when I bought a Rode NTG2 and ZoomH4N on bad advice. I would also gladly take the Rode NTG3 but for now I can't afford an upload for a recorder. What advice? NTG3 + Zoomh4n = noise or will they work well?

[@deadendkid1968]

Just like the high end stuff we use in the recording studios...you have to try many LDCs to suit your voice...there are some workhorse mics that are great with most...some only a few voices...but great with instruments...my workhorse here is the AT4047...and Shure KSM44...if you have problems with sibilence...get a dBx263...best tool to kill that...

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks - great points!

[@xray111xxx]

Nice Mic. Also no boxes were harmed in this review. Sorry couldn't resist the Bandrew reference. Good to see you Curtis. I will see you on your broadcast later tonight.

[@curtisjudd]

All boxes were recycled for this review. 😀

[@tyisafk]

Just ordered one as an upgrade from my SM57. We have similar voices though I think mine is a "little" richer if that makes sense, and the 57 while it sounds great, it's muddy. Not super muddy, but I prefer the crisp articulate sound as you mentioned and the 57 doesn't really give me that. Using EQ to add presence washes it out. Although I think the main thing about that comparison is that the 57 is a much cheaper dynamic mic while this one is a more expensive condenser. Can't wait to try it myself!

[@curtisjudd]

I hope it works well for you!

[@harwin7430]

Been loving mine for recording classical guitar and having friends come over to record vocals for my music. Not a huge fan of it for my voice since it's very sibilant. I usually have to crank up my de-esser to tame it.

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@flunkspagnargel]

I have this too, works great with dark voices (like most lewitt's). awful for sibilance. I'll test it on a snare drum, because it handles very high pressure! thats a plus.

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@randomgeocacher]

There’s a tapeop article I found interesting that you may too; “Microphones: Understanding Classic Condenser Microphone Capsules”. Analog electronics and signal processing was two of my worst subjects back in school, but I almost feel like I ought to build my own mic with switches to change the pickup pattern just to get my head around the analog processing to get a capsule to emit multiple patterns. Pretty cool what simple circuits can do once you have audio picked up at two different places just millimeters apart.

[@curtisjudd]

Fascinating stuff!

[@annekedebruyn7797]

Sounds great. Personally for your voice, I'd opt for something a bit more low end.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Anneke.

[@dylanj8676]

For the most part I think it's good on your voice until you get to the ess sounds. I really like the Lewitt mics on darker male voices and some female voices. The CAD M179 is good as well. They both have a pretty similar sound, probably because they're using center terminated K67 capsules tuned to be like the older AKG C414s. I think they work just as well as my AT4050, (based on experience with the LCT 441 Flex). Worth keeping in mind that the LCT 441 and M179 are a bit darker, they're closer 4 dB in the high end rise vs the 5 dB on the LCT 440. Also worth mentioning the C12 and older C414s (before the teflon ring) also had this sort of presence boost. It was a much more narrow boost though, kind of in a semicircle shape. Unfortunately because these are K67 copy capsules at the core they will always have some of that big rise 1KHz. The brighter ones can be up to +10 dB at 9 KHz on the really bright cheaper mics like the MXL 2001 and 2006. Actually getting that C12 capsule curve requires very specific construction which is why it's done by hand a lot, and why the C12 clone capsules are so expensive, vs a K67 copy which can be bought for $30-$40/ea from the factories in China.

[@curtisjudd]

Wow, Dylan! Thanks for the detailed insights! Would love to chat some time in more detail.

[@tom_k_d]

@Dylan J What irritates me with the LCT 440 is that the high mids / presence boost sets in only at 4-5kHz, while a typical K67 mic (U87ai) shows a mild presence peak at 2 - 3kHz, besides the typical 7 - 11kHz peak. 5kHz seems too high for the upper mids and clarity, while at the same time it's too low to add some air: 5kHz is just were sibilliance starts... Maybe that could be fixed with EQing it, though...

[@BenjaminRowlandTV]

I'm between this mic and the TZ Stellar X3 for voiceover. What are your thoughts? Thanks for all of your excellent videos - definitely some of the best audio videos on KZbin.

[@curtisjudd]

I prefer the Stellar X3 which is a little more neutral sounding, or at least not so bright.

[@BenjaminRowlandTV]

@@curtisjudd thanks so much for your reply! Have a great week.

[@roncdio]

Hey Curtis, could you please do your set up and editing video? Your videos have by far the best lighting sound and quality I've ever come across on youtube

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Jimmy, good idea. I've added it to the list.

[@MalikOsamaSaeed]

As always great review 👍

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks!

[@helloianzakharov]

I was waiting for that review! Great as always. I always liked how MKH 416 sounds and from your review I find 440 sounds kind of similar. I can hear 8060 sounds cleaner and more precise than 416 but can do nothing, I am addicted to 416. Curtis, I have a very stupid question how Deity D3 Pro sounds in comparison with 416. Unfortunately I have no options to get 416 for testing and seems you are only the one person who can do head to head test (I know it’s a different leagues and so on). For my feeling somehow D3 closer to 416 then S2.

[@curtisjudd]

Hi Ian, thanks. I'd offer you to come try the two yourself if after the Pandemic you're ever in the Salt Lake City area.

[@PaulMDiaz]

Good review. Would have liked to hear it without the foam pop filter. It sounds good on your voice, other reviews I'v heard it seems a bit too bright and a touch sibilant. Perhaps the foam helped a bit there. Thanks for this!

[@curtisjudd]

Hi Paul, that's exactly right - without the foam it does sound a little too bright, especially on my voice.

[@BijuViswanathfilmmaker]

excellent review thank you

[@curtisjudd]

Thank you Biju.

[@bsp]

I love when Curtis dismisses us. You’re too good to us Curtis. You’re the best!

[@curtisjudd]

You get to stay, Bandrew, because you do both music and spoken word. You're special. 🤓

[@PODCASTSHALA]

Please suggest 100 $ budget Audio interface for Lewitt LCT 440

[@skakdosmer]

The Røde NT1A allegedly has only 5db self noise, and the NT1 is even quieter. So although 7db self noise is excellent, according to specs it's a bit more noisy than the Rødes.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks for the correction.

[@YounusYousuf]

@curtis judd offtopic but can you please help me, I wish to buy a portable audio recorder(for my videography purposes). In my mind is Tascam Dr100MK3 or Zoom H6. I saw a lot of review on KZbin regarding both. Zoom H6 has 6 XLR inputs but I am not a musician to use that much of inputs.Tascam Has only 2 Inputs but the audio from Tascam dr100mk3 on KZbin sounds better for me at least it has less noise when compared with zoom H6. can you please help to chose one.

[@curtisjudd]

Sounds like you should trust your ears and go with the Tascam DR-100mkIII. That's what I'd do. Also, I have heard that Zoom plans to announce a new product tomorrow, July 2nd. You might wait to see what that's about before making a purchase.

[@YounusYousuf]

@@curtisjudd thanks a lot ❤

[@kristaylor7119]

Hey Curtis, I’ll be setting this 🎤 up tomorrow, looking forward to it. I noticed you used the foam windscreen for the most part, were you using just that, or did you also have the pop filter underneath too. I actually like the foam windscreen and curious on your thoughts?

[@curtisjudd]

I just used the foam cover. I'd test to see which sounds best for your voice.

[@KallusGarnet]

i like the sound of the microphone just not for your voice, if you have a harsh voice i would recommend an Omni microphone as they have a flatter response.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Kallus.

Very good and informative review. I know your voice from a MKH8050 that we both have so I get a good sense of how the other mics sound when I listen to your voice actually haha. Do you think it would be well suited for ambiance recording in stereo (int or ext) due to the fabulous noise level at 7dBA ? And would the embedded "windscreen" be enough for..well exterior wind ? Also I have had a Lewitt pair from the past that I had to return because the studio were so badly electrically isolated that the mics were buzzy all the time, whereas other mics (like MKH8050) would be dead quiet and I was using the same cables. Do you think this one would be well isolated or would easily pickup cellphone/electrical buzz ? Thanks a lot.

[@curtisjudd]

The internal grill probably is NOT enough for outdoor use with any breeze. The foam cover is probably helpful in the lightest of breezes - very light. I didn't run into any issues with hum or buzz on the 440 Pure, but I use a Furman power conditioner so I'm not sure whether that made a difference or what kind of isolating properties this mic has.

[@skakdosmer]

An electret condenser is simply a condenser microphone that has its own inbuilt power supply. Often, and especially in tiny microphones, the electret is a small capsule containing some chemical substance that supplies he power. That means that some day it’ll run out of power, but I’m told that normally this'll take centuries, so there’s nothing to worry about. But the electret could be just a battery cell. For instance I own an old Sony ECM-MS907. ECM stands for electret condenser microphone, and the electret in this microphone is just a standard AA battery. (MS means mid-side, so it’s a stereo mic). It's true that electret microphones used to have a bad reputation (and my Sony unfortunately isn’t too good), but I've read that this has changed. There is, I believe, no technical reason why an electret mic can’t be as good as a “true” condenser, and I'm told that many are.

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Lau.

[@tom_k_d]

Electret means the capsule polarization voltage is not applied externally, but the capsule is permanently polarized. Still, these mics mostly require phantom power (or in the case of this Sony, batteries), just to power the obligatory built-in amplification stage, the same way as with any other condenser microphone (having a small, high impedance output signal of the capsule per design). Technology has evolved in the recent decades, and for example DPA or Earthworks offer some nice high-end (sound quality as well as pricing) electret condenser mics meanwhile.

[@dylanj8676]

@@tom_k_d Yeah, they do need polarization voltage still for the circuit. That's why most electrets say 9-52v as the power requirement. In the case of Earthworks, they were modding the Panasonic electrets for a long time.

[@teeaymusik9811]

This mic is the revelation!

[@curtisjudd]

Crispy!

[@teeaymusik9811]

@@curtisjudd Not only that, it records the voice very detailed! All the other reviews weren't lying.. I can't believe how good this mic is.. :-)

[@PeterMossUkulele]

Hi Curtis - I currently use a Sennheiser MKH600 as an overhead mic and just out of shot. I am very happy with the performance on recording but it does lack - on my voice especially - some bottom end. I can of course tweak the EQ in post. However, I was wondering if I used the Lewitt 440 Pure in precisely the same position, would the larger diaphram help? Cheers, Peter.

[@curtisjudd]

Hi Peter! Hmm, I don't think it would make a substantial difference. If you want more low-end, the first microphones with come to mind are the RODE NTG3 and Sennheiser MKH416.

[@PeterMossUkulele]

@@curtisjudd Thank you so much.

[@andorakotomalala3399]

Hey thanks for sharing, as a singer what about recordings vocals with this microphone? Will it be good? Could you please suggest me some excellent mics for singing in studio, not too expensive?

[@curtisjudd]

This is a fine choice for singing!

[@MikeG-js1jt]

This mic oddly enough sounds very similar to the 416

[@curtisjudd]

Agreed.

[@dylanj8676]

It's the broad roughly 4 dB presence boost I think. Same thing exists in the TLM103

[@civilfieldengineer]

Which budget microphone is best for Voice over ?

[@curtisjudd]

Here’s a looks at several. You sort of need to match a mic to your voice: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6rNq3uVrZiSmqs

[@MalikOsamaSaeed]

I like such kind of mics 🎤 .... my studio 🎙 is in under construction 🏗 🚧

[@curtisjudd]

Me too! Best wishes on your studio build-out.

[@MalikOsamaSaeed]

@@curtisjudd thank you 😊

[@ShaneTrammel]

With an XLR to 3.5mm converter can I connect this mic directly to my video camera. I have the Sony ZV1

[@curtisjudd]

Unfortunately, no. This microphone requires an XLR input which supplies 48V phantom power. Cameras with just a 3.5mm microphone input don't supply 48V phantom power.

[@phlyghwork1583]

Thanks CJ

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@mahinmiah9404]

At4040 vs lct 440 pure... Which is better??

[@curtisjudd]

Not sure, I haven’t used the AT4040. But at that price point it usually is a matter of which suits your voice better.

[@CRMayerCo]

Well done. 👍

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks Chris.

[@margagomezcomedy]

Hi Curtis, Thanks for your great videos. I am testing the Lewitt 540 but not sure it's any better than the 440 pure which I tested last month. Can't find any comparisons. I feel like I can save money and get same sound with the 44O pure. Advice?

[@curtisjudd]

Hi Marga, thanks. I haven't used the 540 so I can't really say, sorry about that. But if you were happy with the 440 Pure, go with it!

[@margagomezcomedy]

@@curtisjudd Thanks so much for writing back. I just emailed the Lewitt company hoping they'll give me the complete 540/440 lowdown for my use case. I also purchased the OC18 - love it- and might be cool to record my spoken word pieces alternating between the OC18 and one of these Lewitts. Such different vibes.

[@curtisjudd]

@@margagomezcomedy Oh, yes, the OC18 is nice.

[@sanskarvermaa]

Rode nt1a vs LCT 440 which one is best!

[@curtisjudd]

There's no such thing as a best microphone. It really depends on the voice and the mic and how the two work together. I'd be more inclined for my voice to opt for the RODE NT1. But for darker voices with less high frequency energy, the Lewitt seems a good choice.

[@rlarkdgh]

Hello Curtis! Im about to move into a new place and set a bit of audio gears at my place for some music and little post gigs. But i cant have every bit of my little apartment treated acoustically. If i have to choose, what should I get between bass traps and wall pads? Im considering the products from ‘primacoustic’. A little advice would really help out. Thanks for the videos.

[@curtisjudd]

I would not use foam if that is what you mean by wall pads. Primacoustic would do much better in the long run and I believe they offer options where you can just hang their traps on the wall like photos or paintings. I believe they may also offer acoustic consulting services if you buy from them. If not, I know that GIK acoustics does that. That's who helped me treat my room.

[@rlarkdgh]

Curtis Judd Okay. I found something called london 8 room kit and a london bass trap. Theyre about the same price point so im considering one of them. I wonder which one you recommend! Thank a lot. Appreciate every work you do. 😊

[@curtisjudd]

@@rlarkdgh Hi again! Seems like a good option. I'm not an acoustician and don't know anything about your room, but I think this will work better than most of the foam products out there. Best if you can talk with an acoustician at Primacoustic.

[@MalikOsamaSaeed]

Wonderful 👏

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@tonelessbod]

Dude you gotta review the nanlite forza series!

[@curtisjudd]

They're on my list! Thanks!

[@antoineinniss5586]

Mr Judd, I'm curious and so maybe with your given experience, you can guide/advise me accordingly. what is your take on the Audio Technical AT897 shotgun microphone? I really need an experienced take on this mic, before I move to purchase.

[@curtisjudd]

Sounds good from the samples I’ve heard but I’ve never used it.

[@antoineinniss5586]

@@curtisjudd well I thank you sir, for your response. where can I get access to hearing the samples?

[@curtisjudd]

@@antoineinniss5586 I just listened to other reviews on KZbin some time ago. I don't have any specifics to point to, but I like to listen to as many samples as I can when evaluating online.

[@antoineinniss5586]

@@curtisjudd I thank you sir. so can you safely say its a good choice for voice over, although its sensitivity is low, requiring high gain to perform well.

[@curtisjudd]

@@antoineinniss5586 Can't say from personal experience, but I'd think it could be a worthy option.

[@tezpatta3780]

Good Evening Sir, Can you please help me, which microphone is good for recording asmr videos. Thanks.

[@curtisjudd]

This one would be a good choice. Also, the Sennheiser MKH416.

[@MalikOsamaSaeed]

In your experience .... tell me 1 of the best mic for voice over..?

[@curtisjudd]

There is no such thing as the best microphone. I believe one needs to find a microphone which complements their voice. Here's sample of several different microphones on my voice and my wife's: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6rNq3uVrZiSmqs

[@birdienumnum3365]

I have this mic and the F's , Ch's sound a little odd. Any idea if its the model or my mic?

[@curtisjudd]

I haven't noticed that the Fs sound odd with this mic and my voice, though the microphone does emphasize some of the sibilant frequencies a fair bit. That sounds good with some voices, not as great with others.

[@birdienumnum3365]

@@curtisjudd mmm especially with Ch sound :( . Maybe it's the gain I will lower it a bit and I'll check again .

[@Keepingitsimp]

You are dismissed! - Boss line.

[@curtisjudd]

🙃

[@tom_k_d]

Thanks for the detailed review, Curtis! To me, the LCT440 indeed sounded a little ear-piercing, but at the same time not too clear and open in the mids. I checked your old comparison video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/j6rNq3uVrZiSmqs , which confirmed this impression. Looking at the frequency chart, the usual 2.5 - 3 kHz set-in of the presence peak seems shifted more towards 4 - 5kHz at the LCT440, maybe that's why...

[@curtisjudd]

Thanks for the insight Tom.

[@dylanj8676]

I think this is because it's based on the older C414 and C12 capsule, which also have a boost later than the Neumanns. Except the brass CK12 capsules also dropped off at 10KHz, because these capsules are constructed like K67s, the boost continues due to a lack of the U87's de-emphasis circuit. This is the flaw in all Chinese made edge terminated (and in the case of Lewitt and the CAD M179 and E300S center terminated) CK12 capsules. Doesn't matter if it's the Peluso CEK12, the RK12, Advanced Audio AK12, or the capsule from the Telefunken TF51, Maiku CK12, or the one 797 makes. All the metalwork is done in China with K67 like construction. The old CK12 is a very complex design that the usual Chinese capsule manufacturers haven't replicated, probably because a lot of the capsule is constructed by hand.

[@audioknigi9042]

Thanks to using female voice on this mic i realy needed this

[@curtisjudd]

👍

[@HarvinderSingh-yy8th]

Bass is quiet high. So this CM is not good for singing. It is best for broadcasting and voice over.

[@curtisjudd]

For singing you would back away from the mic a bit and the mic would capture less bass.

[@rahulwho]

"You are dismissed!" I love it! Now imagine Trump saying that. Dang it. I really screwed it for everyone didn't i?

[@curtisjudd]

Yes. I don’t want to be compared to Trump. 😕

[@rahulwho]

@@curtisjudd Sorry. I didn't mean to. No clues why it just crossed my mind.

[@DSM-114]

i paid $270 for this to get an extremely echo-ey, average sounding microphone... :/

[@curtisjudd]

It isn't the microphone which is echo-ey, it is the recording space. I'd suggest hanging blankets to manage the reverberation in the space. Also, it can help if you can work up closer on the microphone. This will be the case with ANY large diaphragm condenser microphone.

[@hoodaffairstv]

your dismissed

[@curtisjudd]

Woohoo!

[@powerfulriches]

you're dismissed