Not Just a House Mic: Part 1 | Gear Nebraska

by Brendan G-W

Musicians are notoriously picky about their gear. What they play and what they play through defines who they are. Guitars, strings, pedals, picks and amps are all carefully scrutinized and chosen. But there is one often-overlooked piece of the puzzle — the vocal microphone into which they're singing. The majority of singers don’t pay attention to the one integral piece of their live performance. The microphone can color or shape vocals — wanted or not.

We begin a three-part review of popular vocal microphones with the E/V 767. This dynamic vocal mic is well designed, both in weight and balance. E/V uses what it calls a Warm Grip handle, a rubber sleeve that covers the microphone to provide a more comfortable surface to hold while reducing handling noise. The 767 utilizes a supercardiod polar pattern for tight vocal response with little background bleed. The microphone has two sets of frequency response. Close up (1/4” to 1 foot) ranges from 35Hz up to 22kHz, while further away (1 foot to 3 foot) has a low-end drop and goes from 70Hz up to 22kHz. The rich low end in the close-up response is due to E/V’s VOB (Vocally Optimized Bass) technology that reduces low-end distortion and eliminates muddiness without affecting fidelity. That nice depth and punch also makes this mic a decent option for recording guitar or bass cabs and acoustic instruments.

I like the 767 for the ability to cut through any mix. The punch behind the mic can make it stand out even when competing with a wall of amps in practice spaces or small clubs.  

Brendan G-W is an Omaha native. Some of his favorite things this week are a well-played classical guitar and the new Bill Callahan record. Want to get vocal about the review? Well don't, no one will hear you. Leave a comment here or send an email to brendan.gwalsh@gmail.com