The closest sibling to the Electro-Voice RE20? Probably not what you think. The Electro-Voice PL10!

[@timelyenigma]

wow! im going through my dad's audio equipment, and i found four PL20s in storage. i remember seeing these in his studio growing up, didnt realize they were the industry standard!

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

Worth a BUNCH! If you decide to sell them they are rare. I'd love to see one . . .

[@ScottGrammer]

@@redcabinacoustic-official Just sold one a few weeks ago on Fleabay. New foam inside and all. I loved the mic but it just wasn't getting used, so I sold it to someone who could make use of it.

[@theatomicfriendsshow]

The PL-10 has an interesting character. I kind of like it.

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

I'm hoping to restore one so I can compare - thanks for watching and commenting

[@levelupwithmikenewman]

Man the PL-10 just became my favorite mic I don’t own yet. Gotta start saving up to get one, love the sound, that it is a radio mic, but nervous about buying old gear for so much not knowing the owner. Thanks for the video!! What a masterpiece of build quality, performance, and looks!!!

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

I'll see what I can find, sent pl-10s to Bark and Bronson.

[@levelupwithmikenewman]

@@redcabinacoustic-official wow thanks! They really caught lightning in a bottle with that mic. A real shame they stopped selling it!

[@joaopedroalbernaz]

Make a video on compression and equalization for both broadcast or VO. I would like to see the comparison on both coming from you. Love your videos.

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

Thank you so much. Perhaps I will walk through a couple of few scenarios about how and why I EQ and compress. I'd asl be glad to chat off YT.

[@kenchilton]

I like the RE-20. Voice recordings with it sound practically the same as live. It is clear why this is _the_ choice for broadcast. The only mic I like better reproduction-wise for spoken voice in a similar setting is the LS-208. All other choices seem to be liked because they “unhear” something that is really there, color it they way you wish it was, or to pay a huge premium for insignificant improvements.

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

@kenchilton - Thanks for watching and commenting. I think the RE20 is King, no offense to Shure. KZbin's love the sm7b, but I have never seen it used as the main mic in a broadcast facility. I obviously have not been everywhere, but I have been around for a minute. Cheers!

[@kenchilton]

@@redcabinacoustic-official I agree. The SM7b is just okay. I think it gets used more on KZbin because it more expensive than an SM58, looks more impressive than the SM58, and fits in with the peer pressure. To me, there are three different priorities for microphones: 1. where you need to capture high quality sound as the whole purpose, 2. where you need to capture sound but the main purpose is not the sound so the mic should not be seen, or 3. where the microphone itself is at least part of the purpose. Users of the SM7b on KZbin appear to be the latter and want the microphone to speak for them.

[@Giovy-Perez]

Wow ThaNkS SO Much for the info!

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

You are most welcome, have a blessed holiday.

[@VJFranzK]

PL10 sounds... good! (surprisingly darker in this case) but the RE20 has more clarity. I wish you had run the 27 also!

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

Thanks for watching and commenting. Maybe I should do a comparison between all the RE Models I own? I'm more of a history/explainer/info channel than a review channel, but perhaps I'll compare more. peace

[@loganschexnayder1587]

Please do that shoutout

[@thefeet]

can CLEARLY hear the highs from the RE20... in my day, it was the PL20 that rivalled the U87, but they are two different beasts dynamic vs condenser ... PL20's are hard to find these days, sadly... but the RE20 is a close 2nd imo :)

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

Thanks so much for watching and commenting - I hope to find a PL20 someday - peace

[@realsmt]

Mic sounds great. Enjoyed the history lesson, would not expect such a heavily used mic to sound so good. Edit: the re20 sounded much more refined, had much more clarity.

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

I believe the foam in the RE20 is fine, I know the foam in the PL10 has begun deteriorating. There is a reason the re20 is the broadcast standard.

[@ObscureTech]

Fantastic video Joe!

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

Thanks, a bit low key, but wanted to keep it simple - I have one for you BTW.

[@ObscureTech]

@@redcabinacoustic-official seriously?!?!

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

@@ObscureTech I used to be an athlete, but I'm still super competitive, but now just for fun, (unless I'm coaching) . . . In that spirit I wanted to get this vid out before the King of Obscure Mics did LOL. Yea, I'll bring you one if you promise NOT to sell it! peace

[@ObscureTech]

@@redcabinacoustic-official I would never sell a gifted mic. You did that obscure mic justice!

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

@@ObscureTech I did the Reveal - You can do the review . . . cheers

[@loganschexnayder1587]

@red cabin acoustics… what is your favorite bang for your buck mic? Bonus points if it’s vintage, obscure, overlooked and therefore…cheap lol

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

@loganschexnayder1587 - great question, thanks for watching and asking. I'm trying to decide how to answer; I'm not ignoring you, LOL. I'll answer soon, although it may turn into a vid.

[@loganschexnayder1587]

@@redcabinacoustic-official I would love that! XD

[@thefalliblebeliever3470]

Which microphone stands are u displaying in the video, also can I use a stand like that instead of a book arm without a shockmount

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

Those are old Atlas desk stands - cast iron base with heavy chrome post. IMHO most folks could use a desk stand - booms are popular AND necessary in radio because the mic hangs above the air studio mixing board. If you don't need to isolate the mic from the table because of vibration or other and/or you have the desk space you can use a desk stand. I use stands often in the recording studio and on my desk. Did you see my small folding stands? Check out the AKG c1000s video . . . . these stands are part of my travel kit because the others are heavy. The real answer is "it depends" how much noise transfers through your desk and how good is your mic at rejecting it?

[@ThomasBreneisen]

How do you rate the Senheiser 421 Black in comparison to the RE 20? They were hot in the 70’s radio booths.

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

The Senheiser 421 is a great mic! I worked with the award winning NPR reporter Mike Simonson in the 90's, it was his favorite mic and the favorite of others at NPR/WPR. It is also a staple for Toms in many studios. I would rank it very high in both broadcast and music production. peace

[@ThomasBreneisen]

@@redcabinacoustic-official We used them at CKLW in the 70’s. News and jock booths. I agree, they helped with that legendary sound.

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

@@ThomasBreneisen I listened to CKLW all the time back then, and still do when I'm near or at night.

[@UnboxerofWorlds]

Good stuff. I may be adding an RE20 to my collection soon.

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

You can't really go wrong with the RE20 - although I do understand why people prefer the other similar models. I have three RE27NDs that have been in the studios for over 20 years; purchased by a previous engineer . . . thanks for watching and commenting - peace

[@jabnls]

I really like the compression. May you kindly share the compressor you are using and or any EQ equipment? The more info the better . thanks so much

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

This was recorded using the EV PL10 (and the RE 20) into a RØDE AI-1 and a 2012 MacBook Pro. Adobe Audition CS6 I think . . . normalized with the stock plugin and then RX 8 Mouth De Click - (which I don't normally use, but decided to try so I can see what it does.) I don't typically compress my VO vocals, sometimes I do for broadcast, and sometimes I have a compressor on for some reads as a safety against getting too loud. On the day of this recording I did not have a compressor in the chain. Mostly my voice in that studio . . . Thanks for watching and commenting. I'm working on a vid about the AKG c1000s next. peace (if you would like to talk more contact me through the contacts page at redcabinacoustic.com)

[@jabnls]

Pyle pdmkit200

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

@@jabnls Is that your set-up or is that a suggestion?

[@joaopedroalbernaz]

So basically that was the dry sound of the mics? No EQ?

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

​@@joaopedroalbernaz Thanks for watching and asking questions! No EQ or Compression . . . BUT I was pretty close to the mics because I was in an untreated room . . . I was traveling and wanted to make a video while "at the lake." Untreated room with the gear described above. I teach and work in broadcast, (at WBWC) and also do some VO. Because of that I ALWAYS travel with 2 laptops and an interface. I travel with the RØDE AI-1 because they are small and quiet enough, and have enough dynamic range for VO. I wanted to tell folks about the PL-10.

[@7171jay]

I would have incorrectly assumed that the PL10 was a grey version of their RE10 mic... thanks for the info. The PL10 you have there does sound a bit dark but I'm not sure if I would replace the foam or not as it sounds pretty good as is.

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

The RE10 is a completely different animal - thanks for commenting and watching - since I have a few of these I may "restore" the one that is in the worst shape, but that job is not very high on my to-do list, LOL. I'm currently trying to put the finishing touches on a studio move.

[@JRaze]

the foam is also responsible for essentially shockmounting the internals, and the foam inside would likely turn to dust if you just pressed against it with your fingers lol

[@hugoh364]

I didn't even know this mic existed. :O I do feel like the level is too high ? Idk, maybe that's me, but feels like you are on the verge of clipping to me

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

Thanks fro watching and commenting - Thanks for the feedback - I'll go listen to the original file - may be too hot - or some processing was on? When I'm doing these "table recordings" I just grab a simple interface and plug it in, so the issue might be there as well. peace

[@carlosq00]

dude do they still sell this mic?

[@redcabinacoustic-official]

The RE20 Yes - The PL10 No . . . I'm not entirely sure when they stopped selling them. I often see them on Reverb.com. Prices generally range from $350 to $600; way too much unless you were/are a collector IMHO.