The sE DynaCaster crushes the competition (including the Shure SM7B)

[@jammeri]

Excellent review. I loved the graphics showing all the settings you're currently using.

[@MatthewHaines]

Thank you! Those took a bit of work, so I appreciate you noticing them. :)

[@FCTHETRUTH]

this is such a high quality mic review video!!! please keep doing these kind of videos!! GREAT WORK

[@MatthewHaines]

Thanks very much! Your comment is the kind that keep me going.

[@worknance]

I bought an SE Electronics Dynacaster a couple months back. Love it. It is cheaper than an SM7B or RE20, doesn't require a super-duper pre-amp or inline preamp for live use - because it has one built in, which is the Dynamite. Oh, and the best part? IT'S NOT AN SM7B! While I'm sure the SM7B and RE20 are great mics, I'm SO VERY tired of seeing the SM7B on damn near every KZbin video. People who can't be bothered to do any research, testing, or just simply actually form their own opinion I just cannot take seriously as content creators. If I ever get rich I might make a video just literally destroying a couple dozen SM7Bs various ways; shotgun blasts, explosives, hydraulic press - you name it! Just so I can laugh at all the wanna-be creators saving their pennies to buy an SM7B. It just drives me nuts when I hear the same people, the same company, the same product, over & over & over & over & over again. Get over it, people.. get original.

[@MatthewHaines]

Your comment made me snort with laughter out loud! Nice to see there are some original thinkers out there. And I’m glad you’re enjoying the Dynacaster as much as I am.

[@Ori-Retro-Gamer]

Same here , love this Mic

[@ElbowsTight]

Great video! You just happened to use our Mic of choice for the test haha. This might be our next upgrade! I really enjoy the sound and feel it will help with how different mine and my cohost's voice are. He has a low base voice while mine is a little higher and these filters could really help us sound better.

[@MatthewHaines]

Yes, it's probably flexible enough for you both to use it. It's a really awesome mic. I need to find a way to not give it back to sE! :)

[@PodcastMeister]

Great review, loved the graphics for the different EQ settings!

[@MatthewHaines]

Thanks for noticing! Those took longer than I'd planned to create, but I think it was worth it.

[@JayzBeerz]

Great review. Thank you. ❤

[@MatthewHaines]

You are so welcome! Thanks for watching!

[@shofyansky]

Thank for review. Exactly what i need

[@MatthewHaines]

I'm glad it was helpful!

[@lawrence78]

Finally someone giving more attention to sE I've been having sE mics for a while and they've always sounded great on me

[@MatthewHaines]

Every mic I've used by them so far has been a banger. I agree!

[@kettnercreative]

SE is so great.

[@JeremyLeech]

I absolutely love this mic. Great value for what you pay

[@MatthewHaines]

Agreed!

[@robolioharun]

Thank you Matthew, this was a really informative and fun video and I've bought the SE Dynacaster as a result of watching it. :) I really love the sound of SM7B and had a question: Which settings on the microphone would mimic SM7B's sound? Thank you again and keep up the great work!

[@MatthewHaines]

Glad it was helpful! While it’s not going to be an exact duplicate, I would say to start by adding the low boost and the mild high boost. That’s the one that works for me.

[@robolioharun]

@@MatthewHaines Will do. Thanks again! ✌️☺️

[@wm1573]

good video and a VERY good mic! love how versatile it is. I'm going to get it and use it for music too :)

[@MatthewHaines]

Nice! Some historic vocals have been recorded using "broadcast" mics such as the Shure SM7B, so why not the DynaCaster? Let me know how it goes!

[@Criticalmaze]

I was gifted three different mics for Christmas. Im very fortunate to have tried this microphone. I actually preferred the sound of the other two microphones i had over this.

[@MatthewHaines]

Lucky! What were the other two mics that you preferred over this one?

[@Criticalmaze]

@@MatthewHaines Lewit 440 pure and presonus pd 70. I ended up keeping the pd 70. Fully satisfied.

[@MatthewHaines]

@@Criticalmaze I haven't had a chance to try either one of those yet. Nice!

[@Criticalmaze]

@@MatthewHaines It’s $99 it’s really underrated. I think you would like it alot

[@xmontovanillix]

LOVE this mic.

[@Андрей-ч6т6ы]

Amazing review

[@MatthewHaines]

Thank you!

[@dannylightning-audio-reviews]

great video, one day i am gonna get one of these things..

[@MatthewHaines]

Thanks! It’s a great mic.

[@loutrepolemique5951]

And how would you compare it with the sE 2200 ?

[@MatthewHaines]

They are very different mics. The sE2200 is going to have an extended high frequency response compared to the DynaCaster, and also it will record transients more accurately. It will also be more sensitive to plosives and you may struggle to use it up close for voices as a result. If you're recording vocals or instruments, the sE2200 is better. if you're recording voice for content creation - especially on-camera - the DynaCaster is probably a better bet.

[@loutrepolemique5951]

@@MatthewHaines That sums it up very well. Thanks for the quick reply !

[@kettnercreative]

Great video. Great microphone.

[@MatthewHaines]

Thanks Jordan!

[@marstofficial]

Hello, what is the microphone arm used for the Dynacaster in this video?

[@MatthewHaines]

It’s probably the Mackie Db-200. I’m traveling right now and can’t check. If it’s NOT the Mackie, then it’s a previous one that I wouldn’t recommend.

[@Brutuscomedy]

I'm sold. Had a SM7b once, was considering the now $80 Presonus PD-70 but this is the way to go imo

[@MatthewHaines]

I haven't tried the Presonus mic you mentioned, but really, the Dynacaster is such an awesome dynamic mic. It's the one I reach for when I want that dynamic-mic sound. Glad you found the review helpful!

[@Brutuscomedy]

@@MatthewHaines I still may pick up the Presonus given its new low price but yeah, it doesn't have the EQ options, nor does it have the clean preamp boost.

[@igorkadr]

Hi! Great review! I have this microphone and everything that is said about it in this video is absolutely accurate. This is the most informative video about sE DynaCaster! Привет! Отличный обзор! У меня есть этот микрофон, и все, что сказано о нем в этом видео, абсолютно точно. Это самое информативное видео о sE DynaCaster!

[@MatthewHaines]

Thanks, Igor! Yes, it’s a very good mic.

[@MovingtoOhio]

How does this microphone do with canceling out background noise ?

[@MatthewHaines]

It doesn't have any electronic noise-cancelling technology in it, just to be clear. It IS a dynamic, cardioid mic, which allows you to get closer to it without excessive plosives. That in turn means background noise in minimized. If you use it close to the sound source, it does a great job. If you are always a foot or more away from it, then it will behave like a cardioid condenser mic and you'll pick up background noise.

[@MovingtoOhio]

@ Thank you so does the Shure SM7B have electronic noise-canceling technology in it ? I am looking to buy my podcast microphone and plan on being close to the microphone but I don’t have the best sound proof room. I will also be sending my footage to an editor. Do you recommend the SE Dynacaster or the Shure SM7B ? Thank you for sharing the video.

[@MatthewHaines]

Neither mic has any electronic noise cancellation, and quite frankly I wouldn't recommend it. Most ANR in mics can be pretty hit or miss, and then any artifacts are baked into your sound. The lone exception I know of is the Tula mic, which records internally and records separate regular and NR files for backup. It's much better to remove any noise in your editing software, since you can finetune it. The DynaCaster is a better value because it does everything the original SM7b did, plus it has a built-in booster and it's a lot cheaper. Also, I think it's built a little sturdier. The sound is slightly different but it would be hard to notice except under testing conditions.

[@MovingtoOhio]

@@MatthewHaines Thank you for your response. It was really helpful. I was also looking at the Rode Podmic. Thank you for all your help.

[@yber15]

I just bought this mic but mine seems to have some issues. The first thing I noticed is the relatively high background hiss I hear when recording something with it plugged into my Goxlr mini. I made sure to match the output volume with my Rode Podmic (they ended up needing the exact same amount of gain to have the same output volume) and I found that the Podmic has practically no background hiss in comparison. I then tried to activate the built in dynamite to see if that would help. I turned on phantom power on my Goxlr, matched the output volume as close as possible and found that the background hiss is now a little less (though still a little more than the Podmic), but then another problem arose. The Dynacaster now distorts when the recorded sound gets too loud even though the meter in my recording software (and the Goxlr itself) tell me the mic isn't clipping (far from it actually). Seems like I'm overdriving the capsule even though I didn't have this problem with the dynamite turned off. Now I'm wondering if I should return the mic to get a new one or if this is normal. Hope someone can help me out!

[@MatthewHaines]

Hi! Sorry to hear you're having trouble with the DynaCaster. I haven't used a GoXLR Mini so I'm not sure if that's factoring into the equation or not. On the rare occasions that I've used the DynaCaster without the internal booster, I haven't noticed any noise. I do however have to crank up my preamp input very high to get a decent signal out of it, as is normal for dynamic mics. If you don't have clean preamps, you'll get noise. But since you have a Podmic to compare to, that doesn't sound like the problem. When you engage the booster, you're going to get around a 30 db increase in level, so you'll have to adjust your input to your preamp accordingly. Could you be overloading the preamp? Do you have a condenser mic (that requires phantom power) that you could test?

[@yber15]

@@MatthewHaines Thanks for the quick response! I did adjust the preamp in my Goxlr when I turned on the dynamite. Even when turning it down so the output volume is lower than I would normally set it to, I'm still able to clip the mic when I yell into it even though the voice meter tells me it's not clipping. The GoXLR even has a built-in clip guard or limiter which seems to do its job with both phantom power on and off. That's why I'm not able to clip the mic (when looking to the voice meter) in both modes. Only difference is that with phantom power and the dynamite off, the mic doesn't distort in any way but for some reason it does with phantom power and the dynamite turned on. Sadly I don't have a condenser mic to test out, but it seems my mic might be faulty. What's your experience with using the Dynacaster with the dynamite turned on? Are u able to clip the mic when u engage some kind of limiter or clip guard?

[@MatthewHaines]

@@yber15 Hmm. Before giving up on the mic and/or calling tech support, I would really recommend trying a condenser mic in your preamp, and trying the DynaCaster with a different preamp (if you can borrow one or something). Perhaps you're overloading the input, but the fader controls the level AFTER the preamp? I can' tell from TC Helicon's website. I've had no problems with mine, but I'm using a different set up (Universal Audio Volt 176 interface). It does have an optional compressor/limiter which I often use, and it sounds great with the mic.

[@yber15]

@@MatthewHaines the input controls, or gain, are actually inside of the GoXLR software. The faders do not affect the gain, but are instead used to lower the volume of whatever source u've bound it to from 100% to 0%. So if u've bound one to the mic volume, whatever gain u've set corresponds with 100% on the slider if that makes sense. Lowering it just lowers the volume u end up hearing yourself or on a stream for instance. Thanks for the suggestion though! I did hower experiment with lowering the actual gain in the GoXLR software by first compensating for the amount of extra gain the dynamite adds and then lowering it even further to see what happens. Even then I'm able to clip the mic if I yell into it, unless I lower the gain to an unusable amount. This issue does not occur when turning off phantom power and the dynamite, regardless of how high I set the gain and how loud I yell. I wish I knew someone who had another interface or condenser mic I could test out. In the Netherlands, where I'm from, we by law have a certain amount of time to test out an online purchase and return it regardless of the reason why. I still have a few days left to return it and get a new one, so it's best if I choose that route before I'm stuck with a potentially broken mic. Thank you for your help, much appreciated!

[@tinychamberz]

Nice Video!!

[@MatthewHaines]

Thank you!

[@julioalperi5443]

SE electronics 👍

[@MatthewHaines]

Agreed!

[@purrpocalypse]

What settings for an RE20 sound?

[@MatthewHaines]

Hi and thanks for your comment! The RE20 has a boosted low and high end built right in, so boosting the low on the DynaCaster and then boosting either the high to middle or max will give you a sound that approximates the RE20. If you have the external pop filter on as well, you might find the highest boost on the highs works best, but it comes down to personal taste. It won't be an exact replica, but it will get you to the same general sound.

[@soldadogears]

Hello, please can somebody help me? i just bought a dynacaster + wave xlr, and only with 30-45 db of gain it sounds very much of background noise, and my voice is not too lauder in comparicion with the background noise taken. It is my first experiencdesperatee with dynamic microphones, so i dont know if this is normal, to have that much background noise, like a coundersor my im really desperate be cause i dont know if something is wrong or maybe i recived something broken and i cant notice it be cause of my no expeirience with this king of mics. More details: at 30-40 db of gain (40 direct from wave xlr or even with +30db preamp with phantom power +10db in wave xlr.) and with the door and windows open, there can be captured by the microphone the sound of birds, and the sound of my dogs barking from arround 33 feet, or the sound of my fan in the room, from arround 6 feet away, no treated room. My voice is not really to lauder in this setting, so i dont undertand why mi mic has the behaaviour of my old usb condensor mic. I dont see no one in videos having this problem. All personn that review this mic do not have this problem, they are well listened, and with practicle 0 background noise ¿Some body knows what is happening? ¿should i ask for the waranty of my mic or audio interface?

[@MatthewHaines]

Hi! For best operation, the Dynacaster needs phantom power. While it is a dynamic mic, the built-in preamp needs the power. That should be supplied by your preamp. There is also a power switch on the back/base of the mic (center most of the three tiny switches). Make sure that is turned on as well.

[@soldadogears]

@@MatthewHaines could you help me bringing me your opinion please? I uploaded some videos to show the problem, I dont see any other videos showing this porblem and and I am very worries about the background noise tihs mic pick up and I dont know if this is normal or something on my audiio setup is broken, I just bought it and im very sad with the results.

[@MatthewHaines]

@@soldadogears Hi! I listened to the first two videos you posted. A question for you: do you have to add 40 db of gain even when the dynacaster's amplifier is turned on? I'm using a Universal Audio Volt 176 as my preamp. There are no db indications on the gain knob, but it can provide about 50 db of gain I believe. When I have the dynacaster's internal amplifier turned on, AND phantom power turned on, my gain knob is set to about half way. When I turn off the dynacaster's internal amp AND turn off phantom power, I have to turn my gain up to just about maximum. Also, you might need to do something about your recording environment. I think I heard actual wind noise from your fan at some points. If you run a fan near a mic, it's going to pick up the sound. That's not the mic's fault. Likewise, if you're hearing birds, you must have a window open. When I use a mic at my desk, whether it's the dynacaster or anything else, I get fan noise from my computer and I get the clock ticking on the wall, which is about two meters behind me at about "8 o clock" over my shoulder. However, I don't record at my desk if I plan on releasing the video! I actually do most of my recording at night because the external noises are less. I record in my garage, which has some sound treatment for reflections, but nothing to keep external noises quiet. At night, I have fewer cars driving by, and the crows finally shut up and go to sleep. :)

[@soldadogears]

@@MatthewHaines Wow, thank you so much, for real, I appreciate your help and time. "A question for you: do you have to add 40 db of gain even when the dynacaster's amplifier is turned on?" - Answer: No, I just add +10db when I turn on the phantom power and dynacaster, my wave xlr brings a max of 75db, when I turn off the preamp, I have to put +40 db to the interface, and with preamp on +10db or preamp off and +40db, sounds practiclly same to me. "Also, you might need to do something about your recording environment. I think I heard actual wind noise from your fan at some points. If you run a fan near a mic, it's going to pick up the sound. That's not the mic's fault. Likewise, if you're hearing birds, you must have a window open." - Answer: Yes, there can be listened the wind hiting to the mic, but the white noise that fan produces is tha think i find anoying, the fan iits arround 1.5 metter away, in minimun power level. Yes, I have the window open and the door open when the birds can be listened, but I didnt know if this was normal, because is my first time with a dynamic mic, and i expected less background noise, and a clearer voice capture. "I actually do most of my recording at night because the external noises are less. I record in my garage, which has some sound treatment for reflections, but nothing to keep external noises quiet. At night, I have fewer cars driving by, and the crows finally shut up and go to sleep. :)" - Answer: Ooooh ok! thank you so much, so, do you think is all right about my equipment? I even changed my xlr cable and I didnt see any diference in backgorund noice. The only one references I seen was the videos in youtube, and all of them have a extremly diferent quality in the voice capture with this mic, and I tought it was be cause my mic was broken. Thanks you so much, appreciate it alot.

[@MatthewHaines]

@@soldadogears Your equipment is probably just fine! Try making a recording with the fan off, the window closed and the mic about 5 cm from your face. Set your levels so you're not clipping, and compare with the previous videos you made. The closer the mic is to your sound source (you!), the lower the background noise will be. If you're gaming, I realize the mic can't be right up in your face all the time, but for testing purposes, try this. You'll know what's at least possible.

[@daktariwameno]

I tried it and it didn't work for me. When adjusting the gain to decent volume in video conferencing software, I had awful feedback loops from my monitor speakers I have not experienced with any other microphone (not even condenser mics). The audio was O. K., but nothing to write home about. It may work better, when you just record and adjust levels later in post.

[@MatthewHaines]

Hmm, that's odd! How were you getting the signal into your computer? Were you using a USB preamp with phantom power, or something else?

[@daktariwameno]

@@MatthewHaines Motu M4. Even with phantom power on I had to adjust the gain between one'o'clock and two'o'clock. I didn't observe problems when the gain was at eleven'o'clock, but then the signal was lower than -20dB.

[@MatthewHaines]

That almost sounds like the internal preamp on the Dynacaster wasn't turned on, or wasn't working properly. Perhaps reach out to sE and see what's up. Mine behaves like it should. Puzzling!

[@daktariwameno]

@@MatthewHaines Unfortunately I can‘t tell. There definitely was a difference with preamp on/off, but maybe the mic was defective. However, I can’t validate the excellent reviews. I finally went with a German Weissklang L1 at around the same price point. It’s a condenser, but doesn’t catch a lot of reverb from the room. I love its clarity. It‘s almost like removing a curtain. Thank you for your time!

[@casquijo]

I have both. No, the SM7B is superior. Sorry.

[@MatthewHaines]

Thanks for your feedback!

[@soulstice69]

There are no absolutes. It's subjective. SM7B may be better for your particular voice. But Dynacaster seems more versatile and a better value. And can so closely approximate the SM7B, why pay more and less you are a Sm7B fan boy? Sorry.

[@casquijo]

I have more than 35 dynamic broadcast microphones in my collection and I have thoroughly tested all of them. From the Electro-Voice RE20 to the Beyerdynamic M99, which almost nobody knows about, passing through the SM7B. Even the best for my voice is the AT BP-40. I can also say that the Rode Podmic sounds really bad, but everyone seems to like it, because there's a lot of marketing on top of it and they built it heavy, to sound like something good. I know what I'm talking about because I've used these microphones for many years, including the SM7B. You are wrong, I'm sorry. The best dynamic microphone for general use is the SM7B, hands down and without a doubt.@@soulstice69

[@aquietgarden]

I'm loving the sound of this mic, and wondering why I've not heard of it, nor of the brand, until today. I'm looking for a mic for recording spoken word, readings, guided meditations, contemplative courses, and online retreats. Do you think it would serve my needs well @MatthewHaines? Until I heard this today, I was about to purchase a Blue Sona microphone, having listened to the competition, and with a budget of up to £300. I'm not clear about its ability to reject background noise. Do you have any comments on that? I will be recording in an untreated room in a quiet rural setting, but there is a road a little way out from the house, so I don't want it to pick up any of that.

[@MatthewHaines]

It's a great-sounding mic, and the EQ switches give you options for tailoring your sound. If you're doing spoken word and that sort of thing, a dynamic mic with internal and external pop filters (which this has) is probably a better choice than a condenser mic. Condenser mics tend to be more sensitive to plosives and pops. Background noise is more a function of how close you are to the mic, rather than the brand of mic (assuming you're using a cardioid-pattern mic, of course). If you're up close on this or any other mic, you'll reduce background noise. You might want to check out my recent video, "stop using the wrong microphone for your videos". It might provide some insight on the topic. Thanks for watching!

[@aquietgarden]

Thanks@@MatthewHaines! That's really helpful input. I'll check your other video now.

[@aquietgarden]

I've only been considering dynamic mics for this work project. @@MatthewHaines I watched your video and also have a cheaper Lav mic, which I mostly use when out and about, with my iPhone and iPad.