Podcastage - sE Electronics X1a Review / Test

sE Electronics X1a Review / Test

07/25/24 • -1 min

Today i review the sE Electronics X1a, a budget studio condenser microphone. This offers a cardioid polar pattern, -20dB pad, and 100hz high pass filter. The sound is more on the neutral side compared to it's direct competition with extension into the bass, neutral clear mids, and a slight bump in the treble and air frequencies. At the time of review the mic costs $100 and at this price it offers a tamer top end than it's competition.

RECORDING SETTINGS:

Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen

Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

Gain: ~12:30

Boosted in Post: +8dB

SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz

Sensitivity: -34dB

Self Noise: 16B

Max SPL: 150dB (with pad)

Impedance: 50 Ohms

Buy the sE X1a (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/sex1a
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/sex1a
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/46lDYyy
Thomann: https://www.thomannmusic.com/se_electronics_x1a.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/42lcWDF
Thomann: https://www.thomann.de/intl/focusrite_scarlett_2i2_3rd_gen.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

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

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:23 - What’s in the Box
00:40 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:18 - Specifications
01:29 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:45 - Plosive Test
01:59 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:19 - Background Noise Test
02:36 - Untreated Room Test
02:55 - Shock Rejection Test
03:12 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:28 - High Pass Filter Test
03:51- Pad Test
04:18 - MXL 990 Comparison
04:39 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
04:59 - Lewitt LCT440 Comparison
05:20 - Avantone CK6 Comparison
05:44 - Neat King Bee v2 Comparison
06:09 - Earthworks Sr117 Comparison
06:36 - sE Electronics X1 Comparison
06:59 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison
07:24 - sE Electronics sE2200a II C Comparison
07:54 - sE Electronics sE4400a Comparison
08:27 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
09:01 - Music Test
10:53 - Pros & Cons
12:30 - Overall Thoughts
13:38 - Recommendation

RECORDING SETTINGS:

Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen

Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

Gain: ~12:30

Boosted in Post: +8dB

SPECS:

Polar Pattern: Cardioid

Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz

Sensitivity: -34dB

Self Noise: 16B

Max SPL: 150dB (with pad)

Impedance: 50 Ohms

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

Previous Episode

Heritage Audio i73 Pro 2 Review / Test

Today I walkthrough, explain, test and review the new Heirtage Audio i73 Pro 2. I compare it to the 18i20 2nd Gen, compare it to a BAE 1073, test the preamps with the SM7b, demo the D.I. Instrument inputs, and walk through the software.

Buy the Heritage Audio i73 Pro 2 (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: https://geni.us/i73pro2
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/i73pro2
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/4bLkftd
Thomann: https://www.thomannmusic.com/heritage_audio_i73_pro_2.htm?offid=1&affid=2060

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Mic: Neumann U87 Ai
Conversion: 32-bit / 48kHz
Gain: 30dB
Boosted in Post: +8dB

SPECS:
USB: Bit Depth: 32-bit, Sampling Rate: 44.1-192khz
Gain: +70dB
+48v Phantom Power

00:00 - Intro / Pricing / Disclosure
00:25 - What’s in the Box
01:01 - Build Quality
01:40 - Walkthrough of Interface
03:21 - Specifications
04:05 - Shure SM7b Mic Test (No Cloudlifter or Fethead)
05:58 - i73 Pro 2 vs Scarlett 18i20 Gen 2 (noise floor test)
07:08 - BAE 1073 vs i73 Pro
07:44 - Distortion Character Comparison (WA73 & BAE 1073)
09:10 - D.I. Instrument Input Test
11:09 - Software Walkthrough
15:28 - EQ / Compression Plugin Demo
17:21 - Pros & Cons
20:28 - Recommendation

Next Episode

Miktek MK300 Review / Test

Audio & Video: https://podcastage.com/rev/mk300

Today i review the Miketek MK300, a relatively affordable multi pattern condenser mic with a -10dB pad and 100hz high pass filter. I would classify this mic as a bright and clear sounding mic with a pretty heavy focus on a treble and air focus while still exhibiting good bass extension.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 2nd Gen
Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz
Gain: ~12:00
Boosted in Post: +7dB

SPECS:
Polar Pattern: Cardioid, Figure-8, Omni
Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz
Sensitivity: -35dB
Self Noise: 15B
Max SPL: 137dB
HPF: 100Hz (12dB/oct)

Buy the Miktek MK300 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/mk300
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/mk300

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

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:20 - What’s in the Box
00:43 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:11 - Specifications
01:25 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:12 - Plosive Test
02:23 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:40 - Background Noise Test
02:55 - Untreated Room Test
03:14 - Shock Rejection Test
03:33 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:47 - High Pass Filter Test
04:10 - Pad Test
04:39 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
05:01 - sE Electronics X1a Comparison
05:22 - AKG P220 Comparison
05:45 - Neat King Bee v2 Comparison
06:09 - Earthworks Sr117 Comparison
06:39 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison
07:01 - Lewitt LCT440 Comparison
07:23 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
07:50 - Music Test
10:06 - Pros & Cons
11:18 - Overall Thoughts
12:46 - Recommendation