The sE 4400 is The Best Bang For Your Buck VO Mic Under $500

How good is this affordable gem? How well does it work for V.O.? I've been working with the the 4400 from ‪@sEElectronicsofficial‬ for the better part of the last couple of weeks and I have a few things to say about my honeymoon period with this microphone.

[@virgogreg]

Put the SE 4400 next to Bifali 414 love to hear

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

I should definitely do that on The Microphone Playboy podcast down the road. Good idea!

[@DapperDanLovesYou]

Awesome to see you cover this mic! It sounds very nice! It's extremely inoffensive and natural! It's not "exciting" like how a U67 is, but in return, it captures a really clean, broad sound! I would imagine this would be _amazing_ as an Auxiliary mic in a recording studio, capturing sound effects and percussion instruments!

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

I totally agree. Any recording studio would find fine use of a pair of these as all-rounders. Even if just for overheads.

[@DaveSS-xi4pn]

Thanks Mark. Been looking The 4100, the cardioid counterpart, and the T 1.

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

Time Preservation Society will have a 4100 review coming soon, so you may want to check that out. I will say though that, for my particular tastes and use, cardioid is my 3rd favorite pattern on this mic. But that being said, I think it's an incredible value for something this capable.

[@Mantamann]

Great review, Mark! While a lot of audio people preach that looks shouldn't matter, when considering which mic to buy, I disagree (to a certain degree). I think this mic sounds and looks great!! If I didn't already own an awesome mic, I'd definitely consider this one!

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

Thank you! I have a similar visual bias about some mics that offend my eyes, but the 4400 in fact does the opposite. It’s sleek, compact design feels composed as opposed to slapped together like some mics.

[@MrEmptyhead]

The 4400a, 4400 and T2 are all phenomenal microphones, the T2 uses a titanium capsule which has a very unique tone

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

I’ve heard good things about the T2 from Jarred Cannon.

[@jonautry]

Unique in what way, if you had to say? I haven’t heard one. (I know it’s difficult to describe this stuff, but just your general impression.)

[@MrEmptyhead]

@@jonautry The membrane is stiffer as it uses titanium instead of gold or other soft metals, so it handles transients in a way that gives it a processed sound almost like it has a small amount of built in compression.

[@blastbeatsincorporated7875]

I love SE, the V7's a favorite of mine and has basically rendered the SM58 moot. Can't wait to try out this, or the T2, or the Dynacaster 😂😂...

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

Yeah, I’m thrilled to have finally tried one of their mics after hearing so much praise from others like yourself who really dig SE gear.

[@TheRecordist]

Woo hoo! The 4400 FTW! I knew you'd love it! Also, I agree with the hypercardioid preference here . I can definitely hear the difference.

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

Thanks, man. But can you feel the difference?

[@codee-music]

It's crisp yet not harsh.

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

That's a great way of putting it.

[@jonautry]

Thanks for the review. I’ve had my eye on these for awhile as a 414ish utility mic to have around.

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

As a great all-rounder that won't break the bank, the 4400 would make a very good utility mic to have in your locker.

[@BL0NE]

16:05 Wow so modest lol. But that's kind of why I have to do more research on a mic because you make every mic sound good

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

True, but isn't testing on the best sounding source the best way to hear a mic? LOL!

[@KickstarterRadio1024]

Quick question, is you Hairball Lola the JE-990 version or the BA512? As I would love to get one. Also would love a video about it too how you use it and there no vids on the internet for voice overs. Also super curious about other pre-amps you use/recommend also.

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

My Lola has the BA-512’s. It’s funny you ask. I was planning on doing some preamp content in the coming weeks.

[@AbsurdTV1]

I was right about to ask what you have it running through.... I see at 04:25 the mic is running through a Hairball Lola (500 series i guess). But, heck yeah, it sounds great !!!

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

Thanks! Yes, the Lola is a 500 series tone cannon from Hairball Audio.

[@Dracomies]

KSM32 enters chat.

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

KSM32 retail is above $500

[@Dracomies]

@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff True true

[@ArtVandelay592]

To be fair, once upon a time ago prior to COVID, the KSM32 did retail for about $500 and even now it’s still one of the best bang for your buck value mics ever made imo. The 4400 is just as solid though. The 4400 sounds great and has Swiss Army knife features, the KSM32 isn’t as decked out with features but that tone is so soothing like melted warm buttery biscuits

[@KickstarterRadio1024]

Best mic if and only if you add your hairball lola that is. As you said it was ordinary at first until...

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

You’re absolutely right and I think that’s what I really like about this mic. It takes on the character of whatever pre you use with it, making it a tone shapeshifter.

[@BL0NE]

I love this mic but the CAD Audio M179 offers about everything this one does but I seen go on sale for about $150.

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

Interesting. I hadn't heard much chatter about the M179 so thanks for the tip. I'll watch some videos.

[@TheTechPreacher]

Great video

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

Thank you!

[@ramspencer5492]

Great for music too from I've seen so far

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

That's what people tell me. I can see why. If I did music still, I'd have a pair of these.

[@larrycom]

What about Sennheiser MK4?

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

Haven't heard one yet. The MK8 may be interesting given it's 5 polar patterns.

[@nandasdelhi]

Isn’t it a little like the synco d2.. what say?

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

Like a cheapo shotgun? Not really.

[@nandasdelhi]

@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff alright… if u say so, also can u recommend a good mid budget mic for noisy apartment setups? Maybe your top 3! Thanks 🙏

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

@@nandasdelhi For a noisy room with little or no treatment, you most likely want to go with a dynamic mic of some sort. Dynamics are not my thing, so you'll want to look around for some good dynamic mic reviews where they demo in rooms such as yours.

[@nandasdelhi]

@@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff and what about shotguns? Would they work?

[@MarkYoshimotoNemcoff]

@@nandasdelhi Something with a tight polar pattern would be worth a try. It could work