It would be nice if both the Icon Pro's grill style wind screen and the default one with the Ethos were sent together, so the user can determine the best one for their use case, or at least have the option to switch them freely when needed. That also means it should be a perfect fit for podcasters, content creators, voice-over artists, and more — assuming you’re at a level where such a prestigious mic makes sense. Plain and simple, if you purchased a products from Front End Audio then our staff will always be here to give you support. Using the mic without its foam screen does require better mic technique to avoid overpowering plosives, but the increase in purity and liveliness of the sound is worth it.

It has all the good qualities of a condenser mic – like nuance and sensitivity – and the best of a dynamic, such as being easy to drive and having a low handling noise. Each microphone was recorded using a Grace Design M103 preamp into a Presonus Quantum 2626 interface. The RE20 always falls, the SM7B is easier but not super flexible, OC16 requires shockmount and pop screen.For streamers looking to graduate from USB microphones to something more professional, XLR condenser variants are top-shelf for broadcast-quality audio. In fact, some of its most industry-leading products are measurement microphones, designed to capture detail with the utmost accuracy. Foam Windscreen: By reducing noise from breaths and wind, the supplied foam windscreen helps you achieve clean vocal recordings. The contents of this article are subject to worldwide copyright protection and reproduction in whole or part, whether mechanical or electronic, is expressly forbidden without the prior written consent of the Publishers. It can also be used at any angle and with any stand, including traditional mic stands, desktop, and boom-arm designs.

The front of the capsule is protected not only by that black foam filter, but by a circle of very fine metal mesh that is completely untensioned and moves freely back and forth.The team at Earthworks reached out to me over the Christmas holidays and offered to send me their latest flagship broadcast mic, the ETHOS. This condenser design handles like a dynamic mic but can capture exceptional detail, nuance and character.

Right now, the marketing focus is almost evenly split with streamers, an audience that often prefers an out-of-the-box functionality. Without the presence peak that many large‑diaphragm mics have, it comes across as quite restrained by comparison; and in fact, if you were to move from something like an SM7B to the ETHOS, I think you’d notice the difference as one of refinement and openness at the top end, rather than a night and day contrast in character.Comparing this with the ICON USB, at first glance you can tell a difference in diaphragms size with the ICON only managing a 12 mm diameter. Der Klang ist unheimlich ehrlich und nimmt - gerade im Vergleich mit dem recht populären Shure - jede Nuance der Stimme auf was vor allem beim sprechen und verschiedenen Betonungen zum Vorschein kommt (Beispielsweise wenn man die eigene Stimme verstellt, da ich es auch für Hörspielproduktion nutze). If you have a suitable XLR cable with enough slack, there's plenty of maneuverability straight out of the box. In fact, there is no hesitation recommending this mic for any type of production, especially for those in the broadcasting, voiceovers, and live streams crowd. It's not the easiest hardware to approach for beginners since you can't plug XLR cables directly into your average desktop Windows PC.

Although each voice is unique, the ETHOS will deliver a more accurate and pleasant approximation of your voice right out of the box. Their extended high‑frequency response and clean off‑axis pickup has made models like the Neumann KMS series, DPA 2028, AKG C636 and Shure KSM9 familiar sights on stages worldwide. It’s an XLR broadcast microphone built for genuine intimacy and vocal warmth, as if it’s responding to each individual voice while also satisfying the needs of engineers. We here at Front End Audio know exactly what it's like to be working with a budget while making gear purchases.Any experienced studio technician could strive for perfection with equalizer levels, especially with the fantastic flat performance on the Ethos. The Little Red Monster (LRM) is a large-diaphragm, multi-pattern tube condenser microphone influenced by the Neumann U 67. It excels at both, but I've not tested it enough on the guitar to determine if it's clearly a better or more balanced sound than more traditional options like the KM184. When purchasing electronic licenses or software it is your responsibility to make sure that your computer system meets and or exceed the required specification to install, run and operate the software.