Can somebody tell me what this mic is?

[manulaudic]

Hi,

Do you guys know what mic this is? It sounds very good

there is no brand on it and i got it from a family friend. Used to be owned by the music school here in Finland...

Thanks,
Manu

 

[manulaudic]

The front of the mic

 

[dmp]

It looks like a EV PL9

http://www.coutant.org/evpl9/index.html

 

[manulaudic]

YEs

Thanks DMP it sure looks the same. Mine is not in black but i can now see the tag where PL9 should be written, it has been removed though.

That mic is great, love it for acoustic guitars.
manu

 

[tchgtr]

It also looks very similar to an EV DO54 that I have, which is it silver-gray.

 

[manulaudic]

Damn that's even closer ! ftp://ftp.dcaudiovisuel.com/dca/Electrovoice/electrovoice_do54_datasheet.pdf
Though not sure mine is omni directional.... let's see

 

[isophase]

Nice microphone,
it IS an omnidirectional mic, the capsule is enclosed with no acoustical port = pressure mic = omni patern.
However, you will certainly notice there is a bit less high frequencies from sounds coming from the off-axis. this is normal with all omnidirectionnal dynamic mics.
best
Jon

 

[manulaudic]

Jon thank you for your explanation !

Guys, thank you, i now know what's in my hand...
Would love to buy another one and get a pair then... Can't find any on the web for sale at the moment though.

Cheers,
Manu

 

[usekgb]

The screw in the grille is the dead giveaway for it being an EV omni dynamic mic.  These were commonly used in broadcast as interview mics.  This was probably some successor to the 635, which was replaced by the RE50.

 

[PRR]

> This was probably some successor to the 635, which was replaced by the RE50.

635A is still around. Still a go-to for anything which does not need the top and bottom octave (most instruments) or directivity. RE55 had deeper bass and you paid for smoother top. PL9 is a new-tech 635A. DO54 is probably yet another re-do of the same ideas.

On TV you do see the RE50 and others more often than 635A. Visually it is underwheming. This is both good and bad. With pop-singers blowing tennis-ball SM58s, you need a lump like RE50 so as people know it is a microphone.

 

[manulaudic]

I got more answers than i could expect. Thanks 

Probably was used for broadcast i believe. It's a very nice mic, doesn't have much low-end which i love on my Martin d28 which tends to be too lowish.
Now i can have the mic very close and get very nice picking tracks...

I recommend

Manu

 

[PRR]

> The screw in the grille is the dead giveaway for it being an EV omni dynamic mic.

RE15 etc Cardioids used the same screw. But yes the EV screw is distinctive.

As Jon says, directional mikes will have more holes in the side/back. RE15 had big holes right beside the diaphragm, and also a row of gills down the handle (less proximity-bass than single-entrance mikes).

 

[usekgb]

Thanks for clearing that up PRR.  The only EV mics I have seen with the screw are omni's, so I made an assumption.  None of my RE10's have it, and they are basically cheaper versions of the RE15.  I've got a couple 635's, but have not seen this mic before, and assumed it was just older.  My bad.

 

[PRR]

> None of my RE10's have it

?? Then it may be a design change. This site seems to show screws:

http://www.coutant.org/evre10/index.html
http://www.coutant.org/re15/index.html

 

[usekgb]

Wow.  I use them all the time, and never noticed the screws.  Doh!

 

[pstamler]

The main difference between the 635A and the RE55 (or 50) is that the latter have better shock-mounting inside the case, making them good for hand-held use.

Peace,
Paul

 

[dmp]

The main difference between the 635A and the RE55 (or 50) is that the latter have better shock-mounting inside the case, making them good for hand-held use.

The longer body of the RE55 gives it extended bass response I believe. I just got a re55 and it is a great studio mic, like a re20 or sm7.  My 635 on the other hand is more 'effected'

 

[PRR]

> difference between the 635A and the RE55

Really more of everything, including price.

635 was a great speech mike, but chunky. 635A is a better speech mike in a slim package. Bass is falling by 100Hz because in many applications <100Hz just adds boom and mud. Sensitivity tolerance is not small, because 635A is usually used solo and ad-hoc.

The 50 fills-in where the 635A does not meet all needs. More back-chamber allows lower bass, for artistic male baritone, piano, heavy acoustic guitar, bass. That would cut sensitivity so I think it gets more magnet. Maybe more diaphragm? Or is that more shock-mount? It isn't handed-out to every reporter, so price can be higher. Diaphragms can be rejected to fit a narrower tolerance, so that two or more can be used together without funny-stuff. (Not that I ever had a problem with 5 or 6 635As on one stage on different instruments, or maybe two on a horn section.)

> My 635 on the other hand is more 'effected'

Yes, side-by-side on good speakers on some sources you do notice the rise and droops of 635A. It emasculates my deep voice. Give me a simple cardioid and I sound like Bing full of gravel; the 635A comes out clearer, especially on consumer speakers. I'd want the card for dark poetry, the 635A for interview. Each has a use. Scalpel, funnel, hammer.