Much less seductive for those who already personal a high-end interface or preamp.
Simple to fall in love with. The addition of a high quality preamp is a masterstroke that makes it a strong answer for a spread of makes use of.
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sE Electronics DynaCaster: What’s it?
It’s the dear, large-diaphragm studio condenser mics that get many people drooling with lust, however the truth is, most of us must make do with a cheaper dynamic mic.
Nevertheless, in lots of recording situations, the lowly dynamic mic is the higher alternative. It might not have the broad frequency response or impart fairly the identical stage of readability as a condenser, nevertheless it’s extra sturdy, means higher at rejecting undesirable room noise and might brush off epic SPL ranges with impunity. Consequently, dynamic mics just like the DynaCaster are excellent for recording voice and vocals in untreated rooms (that’s most dwelling studios), screamers, guitar cabs, drums and far, far more.
The one fly within the ointment is that the very best dynamic mics devour clear achieve like there’s no tomorrow.
Till just lately, the one options had been to purchase a pro-level interface/preamp or a Cloudlifter, however now the preamp-equipped DynaCaster is a very nifty different that begs the query: why aren’t all dynamic mics constructed this manner?
The DynaCaster is a dynamic end-address cardioid broadcast-style mic hiding a potent trick up its sleeve. It’s slightly stubbier than an Electro-Voice RE-20 or a Shure SM7B however its all-metal development and strong construct provides it a reassuringly weighty really feel. Drop this factor and your toes will come off worse.
(Picture credit score: Future)
The design is superbly executed. The engineers at sE have invested loads of time guaranteeing the built-in swivel mount will connect to nearly any mic stand or increase arm, making it a doddle to arrange. It’s additionally straightforward to wash the built-in, three-layer detachable pop-filter/windscreen.
Its customized aluminium voice coil-equipped capsule, which is suspended in an built-in shock mount, is just like the one you’ll discover in sE’s well-respected V7 hand-held mic nevertheless it’s been fettled to raise the DynaCaster up a notch or two.
(Picture credit score: Future)
sE Electronics DynaCaster: Efficiency and verdict
Make no mistake, even in passive mode the DynaCaster is a improbable dynamic mic that’s greater than able to giving any high-end competitors a run for its cash. Its frequency response curve is sort of flat, albeit barely boosted, from 200Hz proper as much as 10kHz, with a delicate low-end roll-off and extra pronounced high-end roll-off.
Certain sufficient, it’s an genuine mic to file with, one which rejects low-end rumble and doesn’t undergo from undue top-end harshness. It’s properly suited to voice functions however can deal with just about something.
The magic actually occurs while you play with the three switches across the again. Fireplace up phantom energy in your interface, activate the centre swap and the DynaCaster’s inbuilt Dynamite preamp will ship a powerful +30dB of fresh achieve. This quantity of increase is greater than sufficient to get you noise-free recordings, and we seen that it offered a barely fuller sound too.
Both aspect of the increase swap are two three-way tone shaping switches, a low frequency trim and a excessive frequency trim. The low finish will be left flat, boosted to offer further heat or reduce to get rid of boominess and rumble. The high-end trim works barely in a different way, offering a flat setting plus two ranges of increase.
Basically, utilized in mixture, these controls allow you to fine-tune the mic to its environment, your expertise or each. The inclusion of those tone-shaping instruments, the built-in preamp and the DynaCaster’s comparatively compact measurement make it an outstanding alternative for producers on the transfer, who are sometimes tasked with recording unknown expertise in unseen rooms utilizing unfamiliar tools.
Maybe it’s our room, however the one setting we didn’t heat to was the high-level prime increase, which sounded too skinny, too harsh and did little apart from emphasise sibilance. Nonetheless, this can be a very intelligent dynamic mic able to nailing the precise sound, even in lower than excellent circumstances while you’re compelled to make use of decrease grade equipment.
Calling it a broadcast mic is promoting it quick. Whether or not you’re a producer, vocalist, podcaster or just must mic up some guitar cupboards, the DynaCaster deserves your consideration.
MusicRadar verdict: Simple to fall in love with. The addition of a high quality preamp is a masterstroke that makes it a strong answer for a spread of makes use of.
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