Lewitt LCT 440 Pure Review / Test

Today we talk about the Lewitt LCT440 Pure, XLR Condenser Microphone kit. This is a low self noise mic with plenty of clarity and detail, and limited attenuation in the lower frequencies. What do you think of it?
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00:00 - Intro
00:26 - Disclaimers / Price / Setup
00:40 - What’s in the Box
01:08 - Build Quality
01:37 - Specifications
02:07 - Polar Pattern Test
02:27 - Background Noise Test
02:37 - Proximity / Distance Test
02:48 - Plosive Test
03:07 - Windscreen / Pop Filter Comparison
03:26 - Music Test
04:09 - Pros & Cons
05:05 - Overall thoughts
06:27 - Conclusion / Recommendation
06:57 - Outro
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[@LEWITT-audio]

Awesome review! Thanks so much!

[@czdaniel1]

*Lewitt +1*

[@czdaniel1]

@NILA MUSICS -- drape cotton towels around the room. I've had success recording by a corner with heavy drapes & lots of staggerd dense-cotton towels limiting sound reflections (At least with spoken-word recording, like in this video). This will *not* help with outside noises, though.

[@czdaniel1]

@NILA MUSICS -- Difference? With zero context provided, I would assume it's a description of a single large-diaphragm condenser, which is the part of the microphone that receives sound

[@marysmith7103]

I'm thinking of buying the Mic

[@DJTimodriver]

Sherwin Lesnar I use it for voiceover recording in an untreated room. While I use a noise remover in post, I never had to set the noise remover to high settings. I usually just cover my computer with a blanket to cover up the fan noise. Just make sure that your surroundings are clear as this mic is very very sensitive.

[@alexanderlyon]

Sounds really smooth. I like it. Great review.

[@artysanmobile]

Just for your reference, Andrew, the sensitivity spec of microphones refers to an output voltage at 1 Pa(scal). 1 Pascal is equivalent to 94dbSPL, which for some reason is not commonly known. Using that reference you can estimate the output voltage for any microphone if you have some idea of the SPL level, which is information that is readily available.

[@czdaniel1]

This Mic is an AT-4040 Killer!! *Lewitt's got game!*

[@vittoriaeterna]

Does it sound great for clean electric guitar on a Fender Vibrolux?

[@Ottsucks]

@@vittoriaeternaI like a 57 and 421 on cleans

[@djcook]

@@Ottsucks2 years later

[@Kragatar]

Next time you get one with a sticker, you should do a parody video where you review the sticker in great detail and just casually mention that it comes with a microphone during the "what comes in the box" segment. The more expensive the mic is, the better.

[@surya5077]

This.

[@lilaccentawarangi-pekepo8849]

😂

[@htotube]

Woohoo, I am on cloud 9. Podcastage kept my request to review this boy. Thanks, you're the best

[@lionheartroar3104]

I love my LCT 440. If you love clean transparent sound, this is your microphone. It's also super quiet. I love it!

[@xyzct]

Get a (recording) room! ;-)

[@harwin7430]

After shopping around for a new mic and buying a ton of different ones to try out I ended up settling on this and returning the others. I actually really like the way this mic makes my voice sound for spoken word and singing. Which is surprising to even me since I can't really stand listening to my voice sometimes. I was worried about a condenser mic for my slightly noisy room, but when I slap reafir on my audio track it eliminates 90% of the background noise from fans with ease. Never heard of Lewitt before I bought it, but I'm definitely a fan now. Now I'm just considering returning it to buy the LCT 441 Flex for that select-able polar pattern...

[@mattfinish2196]

This is my favorite microphone! I think I will record something with it right now. Thanks for the video.

[@TheDevinShamel]

Have convinced me to trade in my NT1A for this! Really great video.

[@nuti19]

And how is it? Big change? I have same situatuon, wanna replace nt1a with lewit or something intersteing

[@vittoriaeterna]

Does it sound great for clean electric guitar on a Fender Vibrolux? Any of them?

[@Kragatar]

I would definitely get that mic if I needed it. Sounds great, and I like that pop filter it comes with.

[@agustinrivero3774]

dude i dont know what i would do without ur reviews, thanks a lot man, besides ur reviews are the bests out there

[@Shagley]

Such a good review thanks for that! Just ordered mine it’s coming on Friday 🕺🏼

[@Btain]

Love this channel: fun, irreverent and informative.

[@eldest3171]

Hey that box throw was.... Pretty good.....

[@kebandrews7076]

Lewitt makes some great stuff I bought the 840 tube and it's the best mic I've ever owned. It's so clear...

[@kba95630]

Nice review job, as per usual. The compact size of this mic, which doesn't appear to have compromised anything else, make it really attractive to me. Still struggling whether to go with this or the NT1.

[@Nopulu]

what did you end up doing?

[@FAHADZMUSIC]

what you choosed?

[@swaghilash]

What’d you choose

[@vlad2838]

Great review and improv lyrics, Bandrew-“sock” it to me! I really liked the sound and look of this mic; props to the maker for its originality in the aesthetics department and being so quiet.

[@Shawn-do5mq]

This is how you properly do a mic review. Thank you.

[@greglaw3693]

Thank you so much for providing this review! This was extremely helpful. 😊

[@tristanishtar8906]

Great review! Based on your review and some others, I have purchased this microphone and absolutely love it! Thank you

[@centerforpersonalpower4934]

With your review (and others), I decided to pull the trigger and bot it through your affiliate link. Wow! It is performing better than I expected. Thanks!

[@Podcastage]

Really happy to hear the mic is working well for you. Congratulations on the new gear. Have fun recording.

[@joshrodriguez7125]

Yo empecé a seguirte cuando tenías 1k ..y ahora tienes casi 75k !! Woow i love your vídeos

[@rickmoore52]

Great review. And you give the most useful, practical mic reviews I have seen. Thanks for your hard work.

[@mxrrxy]

i’m really glad he included the music portion i mean i was confused at first but it really showed off just how nice this is

[@TheSilverFX]

This microphone has an insanely good sound I'm stoked. I would buy one if it wasn't that expensive tho :(

[@glueh]

It's actually pretty cheap for the performance

[@salesedlar]

The best mic review I've seen :) Thank you.

[@Pentti_Hilkuri]

Nice again. Could we get a NT1 vs LCT440?

[@jxxnxn1565]

I vote for that, will be nice to hear both mics, indeed.

[@czdaniel1]

#Real NT 1 No A's allowed

[@WhiteWulfe]

Seconded! Would definitely be interesting to hear the difference between the two.

[@wtulin1970]

Yes please!

[@maximehebert4564]

I vote for that too!

[@biliharp9839]

Cool ! Now is the time for Lewitt LCT 540 S. All world waiting for this review :D

[@jxxnxn1565]

I have been dreaming with tha mic for about a year, I am stuck with other purchases, but soon, very soon, I hope to get one on my cabinet of mics. I love that mic. Thanks for the review, sounds similar to Rode NT1, but better, indeed.

[@sandolives]

I was waiting for these from a long time You made my day :)

[@winniemusictv]

Rode NT1 vs Lewitt LCT 440 Pure ??

[@Skrenja]

Severely underrated mic. I don't get how this mic doesn't have a huge following yet.

[@Podcastage]

I have seen a lot of people start to adopt Lewitt stuff.

[@ruskasielu6261]

Tip for plosives: you can actually fit both the grid and the foam windscreen together on the mic. It's a tight fit, but it works and it drastically reduces all those plosives.

[@AD174L]

Hey,thanks for this tip man,btw which stand should I use for this microphone? Will any regular mic stand work ?

[@ruskasielu6261]

@@AD174L yeah it should fit on pretty much any standard stand

[@AD174L]

@@ruskasielu6261 thanks man

[@lionheartroar3104]

Thank you Lewitt....it's a masterpiece microphone.

[@BillAnciaux]

I love this mic. Incredible at this price.

[@native1181]

It sounds so rich!

[@sotnat9834]

I bought it for my home studio. Great mic ! Nice review !

[@glueh]

Hey, still satisfied?

[@sotnat9834]

@@glueh Yes very nice for my voice!

[@vittoriaeterna]

@@sotnat9834 Does it sound great for clean electric guitar on a Fender Vibrolux?

[@sotnat9834]

@@vittoriaeterna I use it only for vocals, i don't know for guitars

[@sotnat9834]

It is very clear mic

[@nobodyhaslogin]

Glad that you are OK, Bandrew.

[@sanskarvermaa]

Please make video on NT1A VS LEWITT LCT 440 pure

[@KevMusician]

The presence it has is unsurpassed and requires almost no EQ correction apart from a HPF (for vocals, of course). It's like you can just add compression and reverb... and it's fully baked. Best mic under £500. Fact.

[@levalethedrumma3313]

Bro you have the best mic reviews on KZbin

[@MasterBenton]

I love your videos man, awesome as always. You should do a review of the PreSonus Studio 2|6. I've been thinking about getting one to pair with a Procaster since its rated up to 65 dB of gain. I'd love to hear your (relatively) scientific testing of the preamp noise and maybe do a test with the SM7B or the Procaster without a Cloudlifter.

[@DiscordOdvious]

amazing video. Now I really cant wait till my mic comes in the mail!

[@RezaMolavi]

Thank you; I have just ordered mine.

[@martyc8699]

I agree, but the question still remains: Do you put on a sock and a sock, then a shoe and a shoe or a sock and shoe, and a sock and a shoe. At first I thought Archie was right but now I am leaning towards Meathead being right. 💯🙄🤣😂

[@Kraniosaure]

Hey i love this video! Did you ever try the 441 flex version? i'm curious about it!

[@sarabmusicmaker4615]

nt2a vs 441 flexx which is best for vocals

[@yeshuacreates]

Hi there Earthling, I appreciate your quirky approach to humor without skipping too much on the nitty gritty of the tech. And further: as much as I understand that you could only test things so far--and naturally in the direction of your own stylistic tendencies -- I am wondering more about how this mic performs on low end sources-e.g. kick drums in any position, underneath sound holes for hand percussion (Djembe, cajon, etc), or even just floor toms. Now, since you already did the review, it'd be a lil' much to make a whole new video for these questions. BUT: maybe you would dig this prompt: how about a "shootout" comparison between this LCT 440 and the Beyerdynamic M88 where you do your best to test their relative versatility. Very different bodies but similar reputation for being "all-around" applicable and close-enough in the price range. I bet the guys at Lewitt would love to hear it too since they are doing such a great yet always advancing job of consolidating tactics from the classics ... Anyway thanks regardless, blessings to you and your followers :)

[@Podcastage]

This is the very first time I've received a request to compare the LCT440 to the M88 so I'll probably hold off on it unless there's an influx of people looking for it.

[@blucoder4874]

After watching your review, I bought a lct440 and I thought it's really amazing for voice over and singing! it just cost me 1600 RMB, which is $228. I love it! Thx!

[@Podcastage]

That's amazing! Thank you for sharing. I always enjoy hearing from folks who select mics based on a review and have a good expeirence.

[@nikhilkurseja]

Do you think it's better than the Rode NT1?

[@Rey7430]

good reminder..i do need to get myself a pair of new socks..thanks man..

[@Podcastage]

Have a new pair of socks is one of the best things!

[@Rey7430]

@@Podcastage i agree 100%..

[@ezranixon7699]

This was a hilarious and brilliant review. I am going to buy this mic and subscribe.

[@LoekTheKing]

I really love your videos ❤

[@Podcastage]

Thank you kindly.

[@LoekTheKing]

@@Podcastage You're welcome! Your vids are really unique and helpful :)

[@dylanj8676]

Yeah Lewitts are great, really love my LCT 441 Flex so far. Sounds great on spoken word. I actually chose to get it instead of an AKG C414. I think the air boost fits certain voices better. I recorded my first impressions (on Gearslutz) while I had a bit of a cold (so my voice was a little darker and slightly raspier than usual) but it still worked well.

[@geoffball9591]

I’ve been wondering about the 441 Flex. What is it like recording vocals in a less than perfectly treated room? Does it pick up lots background noise? How is the Super Cardioid pattern?

[@dylanj8676]

@@geoffball9591 In an untreated space you're always going to get reflections with a condenser. The super cardioid helps a bit, but you will need treatment. I no longer have the mic, because I felt that the CAD M179s were a better value and I have a pair of those now as my "budget C414" alternative.

[@geoffball9591]

@@dylanj8676 Thanks for the insight! I'll look into that mic.

[@alesklajzar9310]

Awesome video! if you choose between rode nt1 and Lewit 440-what will be better for home studio? For vocal and acoustic guitar recording.

[@BrutishSail0r]

I never really looked at Lewitt, but now Im thinking about this Lewitt DGT-450 .... It seems pretty packed software, firmware, and hardware

[@tuffycampbell]

Love this review! Thanks!

[@ShadyShakra]

I can't find your review on the Lewitt lct 540 sub zero! will we have a chance to see you smash its stickers and wreak havoc on its box ? :D

[@ricardodunasjostedt8686]

Thanks for your review!

[@justandycat]

Thanks! I bought it after watching!

[@clintonmaher6930]

I have this mic and for me it's on par with the Neat King Bee and Sennheiser MK4 I have 👍

[@blakemccallie8891]

Is The King Bee Good For Hip Hop Vocals

[@blakemccallie8891]

I have a raspy voice

[@WarrioRAbsolutE]

You can have only one microphone in your studio, which one, out of the 3. What would it be?

[@nobodyhome3753]

Please do 441 Flex next!

[@JonoTheVoiceofAustralia]

I love my new socks! And now I have the mic TOO!

[@IceDragon67]

What was that background whisper? xD 5:04

[@Podcastage]

Артём Лобанов I fear it was a g-g-g-ghosssst.

[@rickyanderson6984]

Best review I’ve ever watched

[@asenlkr8792]

Ben! Can you please help me out? Sennheiser MK4 or Lewitt lct 440 pure, which one of these microphone do you prefer and recommend for music recording?

[@Jono.]

I have been binge watching your videos and this one really sells me. I wouldn't have expected it as it's not a name i'm familiar with but I like the sound and what it comes with! Think i'll be giving this one a ago. Thank you!

[@nikhilkurseja]

Which one is better, LCT 440 Pure or The RODE NT1?

[@glenkippel819]

I would prefer not to have a RODENT.

[@WhiteWulfe]

Nice looking microphone. I wonder if the magnetic pop filter would stay in place if mounted upside down...

[@GhostBoytv]

It does

[@PJmusica]

You're the best mic reviewer on KZbin, really enjoy your perspective. For vocals, I have an old! Old! At 4030, how would you compare this mic to that for for vocals? I'm thinking of getting the Warm Audio 87 or 47 or this microphone for use on primarily vocals and acoustic guitar. Which microphone 🎤 would you recommend from what I mentioned above? One of the warm audio mics or this?

[@noveltycrusade]

Just got my second one of these for stereo cabinet mic' ng... not too shabby for the price

[@vishaladhikary]

Compare these please Aston Origin Blue Spark Lewitt LCT 440 Pure Rode NT1 Lauten Audio LA-220

[@dylanj8676]

FWIW I'd pick am LCT440 over the Aston Origin. For the record I actually picked my Lewitt LCT441 Flex over the SE T2 and a vintage AKG C414 EB (teflon capsule, not brass, and because I couldn't test the mic and didn't want to take a risk on a near 40 year old mic that may need servicing). The Lewitt has a lot more bang for your buck and it's really flat, and you could get 2 of them for the price of a used teflon C414. And it would be worth having two if you do stereo recording. That said, I'd pick a brass capsule C414 over a lot of things (I'd probably want it over a U87), but they're like 3 or 4 grand, and I'm not ready for that kind of investment yet. But out of all of those, I'd go with the Lewitt. Especially over the Spark. I don't think I'd go with anything from Blue that's cheaper than the Baby Bottle SL, and I don't even know if I'd want.

[@goaway2174]

I have this Lewitt, the Origin, and the NT1. I like the Lewitt best, but there are voices where the Origin is a better fit. Same with the NT1. Those are all pretty solid options. The Spark sounds cheap and thus I didn’t purchase it. The Lewitt sounds like a much more expensive microphone - sophisticated, smooth, clear, and airy. There is just a subtleness to the sound that translates well on a recording.

[@nikhilkurseja]

@@goaway2174 can someone please help me choose one among The LCT 440 and Rode NT1? I want to record vocals and acoustic guitar and probably electric too in my home studio. Help me out I'm really confused.

[@geoffball9591]

@@nikhilkurseja I’m wondering that as well. I’ve heard the 440 picks up less background noise than the NT1. The Lewitt 441 Flex has about 8 polar patterns including Cardioid, Wide Cardioid and Super Cardioid. I’m thinking the Super Cardioid could be exceptionally great for recording vocals in a less than perfectly treated room.

[@marvinvierbergen7688]

Great vids. Been binching the shit out of these vids.

[@DarkPa1adin]

This mic vs sennheiser mk4

[@WarrioRAbsolutE]

Hello awesome review as always, congratulations! I wonder what is the difference between Lewitt LCT 440 Pure and LCT 441 Flex, besides of course the different pattern selections. And then what about Sennheiser MK4 vs Lewitt LCT 440 Pure, which one would you think better suits a Baritone Opera voice, for recording arias and art songs? What do you think? In your MK4 review, you said that it was flawless. I am curious about this comparison for the situation I mentioned above. Thanks!

[@geoffball9591]

I would like to see a 441 Flex comparison as well

[@MarioLuisYT]

The SPL on the 441 is higher, around 144, cheers

[@naman8744]

which one would you reccomend, NT1 or 440 pure thanks for the video btw :)

[@tomspiller2449]

Nice mic. Sounds good on your vocals

[@willsbox635]

hello, thank you for this awesome review and i have a weird question. I bought focusrite 2i2 3rd gen and 440pure, set it up normally, while the resolution of sound is superb, i found out that the signal (voice) to noise ratio is much smaller than my good old at2020usb+ (given that i set both gain to match the ambient noise level). My voice sound much louder and firm, on 2020usb+, but to get the similar loudness of voice on 440pure, i either need to speak louder or closer,,, did i do something wrong or it's just a mic characteristic?

[@buzzman4860]

And no link for a new pair of sox

[@DopamineOverload]

How does it compare, side-by-side, to the Neumann TLM102? Especially with your singing (btw, your singing voice is quite good). Thanks!

[@oXjqd8ljGAUCx5Hy1oicy2Sc]

good!good! It's not an expensive product, but it's a good product with high completeness and sensitivity

[@Podcastage]

Glad you were able to determine that from the video. Happy recording.

[@yuningchu7693]

Hey Podcastage, will you be reviewing the line 6 ux2? Great video as usual

[@sapelesteve]

Always love hearing him say "Typing on the keyboard with Cherry MX Blues". BTW, that sounded like a good mic to me...... :)

[@czdaniel1]

*Cherry MX Blues* -- Sounds like an Ice Cream flavor

[@RealJoey600]

I have a couple sm 57s/58s, a Rode Nt1 (black), a blue baby bottle, and im deciding between this Lewitt and the blue bluebird sl. My only real hold up is my unfamiliarity with the brand. Can someone give a second opinion?

[@StillAlive666]

I have this mic, and love it. What EQ do you recommend to tweak the very top end?

[@zezesilver]

A mic review on Friday?? Don't mess with your schedule, Podcastage! XD

[@Podcastage]

Shhhhhhhh. I do what I want!!!!! I'm the captain now.

[@lilsafmusic]

I had the nt1a (I don't like my voice on it), thinking of getting the OG nt1, should I get this or the nt1? Nt1 freq shows its much more neutral?

[@justinwuwuwu]

Been looking for a mic for recording acoustic and electric guitar. Thanks for the video!

[@vittoriaeterna]

Does it sound great for clean electric guitar on a Fender Vibrolux?

[@lifepath7741]

I need advice: Rode NT1 versus Lewitt LCT 440 Pure versus Sennheiser mk4? What is your 100% choosing?

[@yasuh4550]

4:14 okay this meme plug is a lot better good job

[@sam24bit]

i wish to see a side by side comparison and noise floor test of your favourite mics based on the room rejection of each. like how does an nt1 flair with this one in rejecting background noise. that is a really important detail while choosing ldc s for budget home setup

[@tyisafk]

Been looking around for quieter condenser mics because I use an SM57 currently only for voice. The SM57 kinda makes me sound like I'm in a cone and I just can't fix it the way I want to. We have a similar voice range and the mic makes it very bottom heavy, and it just makes it muddy when I EQ it to roll it off and add presence. Luckily Amazon's return policy is amazing so I'll check this one out and cross my fingers! lol From this video though I think I'm convinced to try it.

[@douglasascencio9140]

Do you think this mic would be good for voice over work? I'm trying to get in on that industry and would like to start with a decent mic. This one seems pretty good but, what do you think? EDIT: Also if you could make a LCT 440 PURE VS LCT 240 PRO that would be the amazing :)

[@tomspiller2449]

Sounds like a nice mic

[@davemaverick8438]

As always quality content, have you tried Sontronics stc3x? would love to see that one reviewed

[@thebusinessfirm9862]

Bandrew, I just bought an Se8 from SE Electronics for voice and dialogue. I think you should look at it as it is super low noise for a SDC mic - and it has a frequency response curve very similar tot he NT1.

[@badmiddens]

Always great vids. I tried so hard to listen to the podcast you were a guest on. I won't name it, because the host was, well... let's just say, challenging to listen to. You know those morning show DJs, especially the small market ones? Yeah. Like that.

Cheers mate 🤩

[@waves7300]

Love this mic

[@shauryakapoor7090]

I'm confused between the MK4 and the Lewitt 440 pure. I'll be using it mostly for vocals. I'm a tenor, i have a soft voice and I use a lot of falsetto in my songs. Which one do you think I should get??