Universal Audio SD1 vs. Music Villa MV3 (Versus Series)

Today we compare the Universal Audio SD1 and the Music Villa MV3. I'm doing this comparison to determine if Universal Audio is just rebranding budget microphones and increasing prices. 

Buy the Universal Audio SD1 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/uasd1
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/sd1

Buy the Music Villa MV-3 (NOT Affiliate Link)
Music Villa: https://musicvilla.com/products/music-villa-mv-3-broadcast-microphone

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d

00:00 - Intro to SD1 and MV3
00:28 - Build Quality
01:33 - Blind Comparison
02:42 - Microphone Spoken Word Test (Price / Specs)
03:22 - Polar Pattern Tests
04:01 - Background Noise Tests
04:37 - Distance Tests
05:10 - High Pass Filter / Presence Boost Switch Test
06:25 - Handling Noise Rejection Tests
06:51 - Music Tests
08:36 - Conclusion & Winner
10:53 - Is Universal Audio Just Rebadging Cheap Mics?
12:19 - Outro

Universal Audio SD-1 Review / Test

Today I review the brand new broadcast dynamic microphone from Universal Audio, the SD-1. This mic has a little bit of weight in the bass, the mids are not too forward but offer a clear sound, while the top end is fairly lively for a dynamic. 

DISCLOSURE: As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Buy the Universal Audio SD1 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/uasd1
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/sd1

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen) (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?partner_id=23899

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:24 - Setup
00:47 - What’s in the Box
01:07 - Build Quality 
02:06 - Specifications
02:26 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:45 - Plosive Test
02:56 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:18 - Background Noise Test 
03:36 - Untreated Room Test
03:57 - Shock Rejection Test
04:16 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:32 - Foam Windscreen Test
05:08 - EQ Switch Demo
06:09 - Universal Audio Interface & Plugin Presets 
09:00 -  Intro to Comparison
09:30 - Behringer XM8500 Comparison
09:51 - Shure SM58 Comparison
10:13 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison
10:40 - MXL BCD-1 Comparison
11:07 - Rode Procaster Comparison
11:33 - sE Electronics Dynacaster Comparison
12:06 - Electro Voice RE320 Comparison
13:37 - Shure SM7b Comparison
13:15 - Electro Voice RE20 Comparison
13:48 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
14:20 - Music Test
15:49 - Pros & Cons
18:07 - Overall Thoughts
20:43 - Recommendation
22:16 - Outro

sE Electronics Dynacaster Review / Test

Today I review the new mic from sE Electronics, the Dynacaster. This is an extremely versatile mic that has multiple EQ switches and most importantly a built in dynamite mic activator / preamp. As far as a general purpose studio microphone, this thing is very appealing. 

DISCLOSURE: As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Buy the sE Electronics Dynacaster (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/dynacaster
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/dynacaster

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen) (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?partner_id=23899

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:18 - Setup
00:45 - What’s in the Box
01:14 - Build Quality 
02:17 - Specifications
02:42 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
03:02 - Plosive Test
03:17 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:39 - Background Noise Test 
04:01 - Untreated Room Test
04:22 - Shock Rejection Test
05:47 - EQ Switch Demo
04:43 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:58 - Foam Windscreen Test
05:47 - EQ Switch Demo
07:01 - Internal Mic Activator Test
07:34 -  Intro to Comparison
08:10 - Behringer XM8500 Comparison
08:32 - Shure SM58 Comparison
08:54 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison
09:19 - Rode Procaster Comparison
09:46 - Electro Voice RE320 Comparison
10:10 - Shure SM7b Comparison
10:48 - Electro Voice RE20 Comparison
11:12 - Earthworks Ethos Comparison
11:40 - Sennheiser MD441 U Comparison
12:23 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
12:52 - Music Test
14:25 - Pros & Cons
16:13 - Overall Thoughts
19:57 - Recommendation
20:31 - Outro

Samson Q2u Review / Test

oday I review one of the best budget microphones available, the samson Q2u. The microphone is a plug and play mic that sounds pretty great for the price. It does have it's faults being that it suffers from plosives, sibilance, and handling noise. If you can't deal with those issues I recommend looking elsewhere ,but if you are able to deal with those issues you can get some great recordings for a $50-$70 mic. 

Buy the Samson Q2u (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/samq2u
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/q2u

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:21 - Setup
00:40 - What’s in the Box
01:08 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
02:09 - Specifications
02:28 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:47 - Plosive Test
03:03 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:22 - Background Noise Test 
03:41 - Untreated Room Test
04:01 - Shock Rejection Test
04:45 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
05:01 - Handling Noise Test
05:17 - Cup the Mic Test
05:44 - Windscreen Test
06:17 - On / Off Switch Test
06:34 - XLR vs USB Output Test
07:32 - Noise Floor Measurement 
08:24 - Latency Measure
08:43 - Intro to Comparison
09:07 - Behringer XM8500 Comparison
09:37 - Samson Q2u Comparison
10:03 - Shure SM58 Comparison
10:33 - Audio Technica ATR2100X Comparison
11:04 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison
11:41 - Audio Technica AT2020 USB + Comparison
12:20 - Samson Q9U Comparison
13:06 - Shure SM7b Comparison
13:43 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
14:17 - Music Test
15:44 - Pros & Cons
18:00 - Overall Thoughts
20:39 - Recommendation
22:00 - Outro

Beyerdynamic M90 Pro X Review / Test

Today I review a new microphone the from Beyerdynamic, the M90 Pro X. This mic has a crazy low self noise of only 5.6dBa, it offers a controlled lowend, an even low mid section, and a punch upper mid section with plenty of articulation and detail in the treble and air. It comes with a pretty effective pop filter, and a shock mount that is alright but lets in a bit of rumble.

Buy the Beyerdynamic M90 Pro X (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/m90prox
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/m90prox

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:27 - Setup
00:50 - What’s in the Box
01:12 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:34 - Specifications
01:58 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:18 - Plosive Test
02:33 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:58 - Background Noise Test 
03:17 - Untreated Room Test
03:33 - Shock Rejection Test
03:55 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:15 - Intro to Comparison
04:43 - Neewer NW700 Comparison
05:04 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
05:28 - Neat King Bee II Comparison
05:55 - Rode NT1 Cmoparison
06:19 - Lewitt LCT440 Comparison
06:50 - Sennheiser MK4 Comparison
07:16 - Shure KSM32 Comparison
07:44 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
08:09 - Music Test
09:34 - Pros & Cons
10:58 - Overall Thoughts
13:00 - Recommendation
14:22 - Outro

Lewitt LCT 1040 Review / Test

Today I review the new mic from Lewitt, the LCT1040. This is one of the most versatile analog mics that I have ever used. It gives you a tube and a fet circuit and you can blend between them. On top of that the Tube mode has 4 different voicings, you have 5 polar patterns, 3 high pass filters, 3 pads, and the ability to output tube and fet through two XLR ports. It's a crazy powerful studio mic. 

Lewitt's 1040 Info Page: https://www.lewitt-audio.com/microphones/lct-recording/lct-1040?utm_source=Podcastage&utm_medium=link&utm_campaign=YouTube-in&utm_id=LCT1040

DISCLOSURE: As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Buy the Lewitt LCT1040 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: coming soon

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen) (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?partner_id=23899

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:37 - Setup
01:07 - What’s in the Box
02:17 - Build Quality 
03:12 - Features Walkthrough
06:16 - Specifications
06:37 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
08:13 - Plosive Test
08:28 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
08:49 - Background Noise Test 
09:08 - Untreated Room Test
09:33 - Shock Rejection Test
09:51 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
10:11 - Voicing Demo
12:06 - High Pass Filter Demo
13:00 - High End Audio Interface Test
13:47 - High End Preamp Demo
15:00 - Intro to Comparison
15:42 - Newer WM007 Comparison
16:01 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
16:22 - Neat King Bee V2 Comparison
16:47 - Rode NT1 Comparison
17:09 - Lewitt LCT440 Comparison 
17:38 - Lewitt LCT840 Comparison
18:07 - Neumann TLM103 Comparison
18:30 - Lewitt LCT940 Comparison 
19:05 - Telefunken TF51 Comparison
19:35 - Telefunken TF47 Comparison
20:13 - Manley Reference Cardioid Comparison
20:56 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
21:41 - Neumann U67 Reissue Comparison
22:17 - Music Test
25:29 - Pros & Cons
27:54 - Overall Thoughts
31:57 - Recommendation
32:33 - Outro

Sterling P10 Instrument Mic Review / Test

Today I review a budget microphone from Sterling made for instrument, the P10. This mic offers a controlled low end which helps avoid muddiness, a very mid forward sound, and then a tame treble and air section. In my tests I found that it did really well on electric guitar, and was workable on acoustic and singing (in a controlled space). I don't necessarily think it's an effective spoken word microphone though but it's not designed to be. 

Buy the Sterling P10 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: na
Sweetwater: na

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:39 - Setup
01:02 - What’s in the Box
01:22 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:48 - Specifications
02:06 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:26 - Plosive Test
02:37 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:58 - Background Noise Test 
03:18 - Untreated Room Test
03:38 - Shock Rejection Test
04:00 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:15 - Handling Noise Test
04:33 - Intro to Comparison
05:02 - Sterling P20 Comparison
05:31 - Shure SM57 Comparison
05:57 - Beyerdynamic TG I51 Comparison
06:24 - Beyerdynamic M201 TG Comparison
06:48 - Shure SM7b Comparison
07:27 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
07:53 - Music Test
09:26 - Pros & Cons
11:02 - Overall Thoughts
13:28 - Recommendation
14:22 - Outro

Lauten Audio Atlantis Review / Test

Today I review a mic that uses a 1.25" capsule, the Lauten Audio FC387 Atlantis. This mic has a robust bass and low mids section, and 3 voicings that offer quite different top ends from vintage and dark to modern and articulate. It does suffer from resonance so if you're using it in a situation where you may bump it, you will have to be careful. If you are looking for a mic to use in small areas it may also not be the right choice for you because it's a big ol boy.

DISCLOSURE: As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Buy the Lauten Audio FC387 Atlantis (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/atlantis
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/atlantis
Thomann:  https://redir.love/thoprod/323140?partner_id=23899

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen) (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?partner_id=23899

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:25 - Setup
00:52 - What’s in the Box
01:16 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
02:26 - Specifications
02:48 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
03:41 - Plosive Test
04:18 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
04:45 - Background Noise Test 
05:03 - Untreated Room Test
05:25 - Shock Rejection Test
05:44 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
06:02 - Voicing Demo
06:47 - High End Audio Interface Test
07:32 - High End Preamp Demo
08:30 - Intro to Comparison
08:56 - Neewer NW700 Comparison
09:15 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
09:37 - Neat King Bee II Comparison
09:57 - Lewitt LCT440 Comparison
10:22 - Rode NT1 Comparison
10:51 - Mojave MA201 Fet Comparison
11:17 - Neumann TLM103 Comparison
11:44 - Blue Mouse Comparison
12:15 - Sony C100 Comparison
12:48 - Neumann TLM49 Comparison
13:27 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
14:02 - Music Test
17:01 - Pros & Cons
19:28 - Overall Thoughts
23:40 - Recommendation
24:14 - Outro

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Microtech Gefell UMT70s Review / Test (vs. NW700, U87 Ai, TLM103)

Today I review a mic that uses the same capsule as the Neumann U47, the Microtech Gefell UMT70s. This is a multi pattern condenser mic with Omni, Cardioid, and Figure-8 patterns with a High Pass filter and -10dB pad. This mic offers a reserved lowend, forward upper mid range, and a tame and controlled top end. It does suffer from a pretty resonant body, so be careful not to bump it while recording and it also picks up quite a bit of ambient noise. 

Paid Promotion Selected because I received Lauten Audio Atlantis & Neat Mic free of charge to review. I was not paid, compensated, or required to include it in this video. I just thought it was interesting to include. Now I have to click that stupid paid promo button. Everything else in this video was paid for out of my own pocket.

DISCLOSURE: As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Buy the Microtech Gefell UMT70s (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: N/A
Sweetwater: N/A
Thomann: N/A

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen) (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?partner_id=23899

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:25 - Setup
00:50 - What’s in the Box
01:25 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
02:02 - Specifications
02:20 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
03:33 - Plosive Test
03:44 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
04:11 - Background Noise Test 
04:31 - Untreated Room Test
04:54 - Shock Rejection Test
05:18 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
05:36 - High Pass Filter Test
06:05 - High End Audio Interface Test
06:45 - High End Preamp Demo
07:51 - Intro to Comparison
08:13 - Neewer NW700 Comparison
08:34 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
08:57 - Neat King Bee II Comparison
09:24 - Lewitt LCT440 Comparison
09:51 - Rode NT1 Comparison
10:22 - Shure KSM32 Comparison
10:48 - Neumann TLM102 Comparison
11:17 - Neumann TLM103 Comparison
11:45 - Soyuz 023 Bomblet Comparison
12:16 - AKG C414 XLS Comparison
12:48 - Austrian Audio OC818 Comparison
13:23 - Lauten Audio Atlantis Comparison
14:07 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
14:42 - Music Test
16:04 - Pros & Cons
18:58 - Overall Thoughts
21:39 - Recommendation
18:02 - Outro