Review: Electro-Voice ND Series Microphones
We take EV’s ND series to Chopped to see how they stand up to the abuse.
By Mark Woods
17 November 2016
I’ve always thought of Electro-Voice as the ‘other’ American mic manufacturer. It’s probably been more successful in the broadcasting world but has its fans on live stages too. Released in the mid ’80s, the original N/DYM Series was a worthy contender to the leading brand with some sonic advantages. EV likes to boast these were the first mics to use the now near-universal neodymium magnets that help produce a flatter frequency response, with improved transients and signal-to-noise ratio. At the time they were released the vocal mics in the N/DYM range were seen to have a smoother sound that some singers preferred and I remember them as being especially good for taming strident female voices. The swivel-headed instrument mics were also popular. Funny looking things but they were easy to position with a tough sound quality that worked well on toms and guitar cabs.
The new ND Series updates the N/DYM Series with a range of eight mics, all designed primarily for stage use. There are four vocal mics and four drum/instrument mics, seven dynamics and one condenser. The dynamics share a new capsule chassis and large Mylar diaphragm but each model’s coil and physical structure have been designed specifically to suit the characteristics of its intended application. The coils are a humbucking design to minimise any line noise. The mic bodies are made from die cast zinc and finished in matt-black polyurethane paint for a clean, discreet look under lights. They feel tough and the Memraflex grille is unyielding. Under the grille a hydrophobic foam insert protects the diaphragm from plosives and spit… even mud. Handling noise has been improved by a new four-point suspension system that sits on a tuned pneumatic pump at the base of the capsule.
NEED TO KNOW
THE VOCAL MICS
The entry level (1) ND76 is a cardioid handheld mic designed for general-purpose vocal duties. It’s comfortable in the hand, well-balanced and feels substantial at 323 grams. Through speakers the first thing you notice is the level… it’s hot. The high sensitivity (quoted as 2.4mV/Pascal) means less preamp gain and lower noise but care is required if you’re hot-swapping with other mics as it might be closer to feedback than you think. That’s not to say it’s susceptible to feedback, it’s quite stable at high volumes, but it is around 6dB hotter than average. The pickup pattern is wide and even across the front of the rounded grille with strong rejection around the side and rear. The voicing above 1kHz is crisp rather than bitey with a wide peak centred around 6kHz and noticeable response above 10kHz. Below 1kHz the response depends on distance from the mic and, like most directional dynamic vocal mics, it’s pretty thin unless you’re right on the mic. Used up close the strong proximity effect fills out the sound nicely and you end up with a modern, scooped sound with added richness to the low-mids and a brightened high end. Pops are well controlled and it doesn’t freak out too much if you cover or swallow the mic. I suppose it could even be used for rap vocals or beatboxing.
The ND76S is the same mic with an off/on switch. For a few dollars more you get a recessed, sliding switch that is silent, smooth and well-weighted, so it’s easy to use but unlikely to be triggered accidentally by nervous fingers.
The next model up, the (2) ND86, is a super-cardioid vocal mic that’s in the same body as the ND76 but the top of the grille is flattened off, I suspect to provide a visual difference rather than functional. This is the model I’d choose for lead vocals in front of your average band. It’s much the same voicing as the ND76 but the tighter pick up pattern makes for a tighter sound, more isolation from the stage sound and more easy level in the monitors. Part of this quality is due to its natural off-axis response — particularly noticeable in a studio comparison — that’s better than your average vocal mic. It’s got the crisp top end but overall it’s a big, warm sound with strong body in the low-mids. The new capsule suspension system works too; handling noise is commendably low on all the vocal mics. The supplied stand mounts are fairly generic flexible sided clips but they’re simple and functional.
The top-of-the-range (3) ND96 is a supercardioid mic designed for the loudest stages and it’s a beast. Same body as the others in the range but the head is really flat this time and lets you get right on the diaphragm, a couple of millimetres away. The voicing is a little different to its siblings, with a slightly smoother top end and less low-mids as you move off the mic. The sensitivity is even higher than the rest (3.3mV/Pascal), and when combined with the tight hyper-cardioid pattern, it makes for a loud mic that’s super stable in the monitors. The trade-off is a narrow, shallow sweet spot and an un-even off-axis response, but that doesn’t matter because as long as the singer — or screamer — is right on the mic, the vocal will be clearly heard above the band and strongly present in the monitors. Really abusive and plosive-rich vocalists are met by the well-named double blast filters under the front grille. Unique to the ND96 is a small, sunken switch towards the bottom of the mic that further scoops the mids between 100Hz and 1kHz and I liked it on this setting. The sound gets concentrated into the high-mids and gives it the bite to cut through the stage sound, even when the band is on eleven, but does it without being screechy or too harsh.
THE INSTRUMENT MICS
The instrument range begins with the cardioid (4) ND44. Primarily designed for toms it’s a pivoting-head design with a fast, punchy sound. It comes supplied with a drum-mount clip rather than a stand mount but I think a stand mount should also be included. The first time I wanted to use it was on a bass cab and it’s a thin body so I had to find a spare clip thin enough. Also I’ve written before about finding drummers who don’t like things hanging off their drums because it might change the balance or tone. Despite that, the drum-mount is a good design and slips onto the rim without any fiddling. Mounted on the drum or not its low profile is great for getting in tight spaces especially around the floor tom/ride cymbal area.
Its bigger brother is the super-cardioid (5) ND46. Again designed for cabs or toms it’s a little tighter, a little smoother and goes down deeper than the ND44 with a proper stand-mount and locking pivoting head.
The (6) ND68 is the kick mic and it looks like one. It’s not too big to get right inside the drum if you want, and it’s got a sensible stand-mount. It’s got the classic rock ’n’ roll smile shape to its frequency response with a big, deep bottom end, a scooped mid-range between 330Hz and 2kHz, and an exaggerated attack around 5kHz. Quoted as going down to 20Hz, the low-end boost is centred around 60Hz. It’s a kick mic but there’s no reason it couldn’t be used on other low frequency sources that would benefit from its powerful rock voicing.
The (7) ND66 is the small diaphragm condenser of the range. In the ND Series this is the cymbals/hi-hat mic but could be used for acoustic instruments and percussion too. It features a lockable, pivoting head that increases your placement options if you’re close-miking the cymbals or hats. Included is a 75Hz or 150Hz HPF and a -10dB or -20dB pad. No big deal but curiously the HPF takes quite a deliberate effort to change whereas the Pad is quite easy to accidentally change. It should be the other way round. The frequency response has a few dB added between 5-10kHz to bring out the cymbals.
The first festival with the ND Series was the annual Guildford Banjo Jamboree. I got to know the vocal mics and condenser well, but no drums or amps allowed. Both the ND76 and ND86 were right at home in this environment, where harshness is not appreciated. They were airy and warm on the gentle voices, with the ND86 being the closer of the two. I briefly tried the ND96 but its pattern was too tight for these non-focussed performers and they tended to drop out if they weren’t up on the mic. The ND66 got plenty of use as an instrument mic with good results, especially on acoustic guitars. The off-axis response is very good, the frequency response is on the bright side of neutral and the sound is clear and detailed, bringing the instruments forward.
CHOPPED SUEY
What better place to really try out a new series of live mics than Chopped 2016? Simultaneously dangerous and good clean fun, its three days of barking hot rods and equally loud bands. Cars that wouldn’t be allowed on public roads have drag races in the dirt. The bands range from raucous to rockabilly and the night-time acts inevitably see a few punters held aloft, so you know they’re having fun up the front. Normally we eat dust for three days and nights but this year, with the wet season showering rain in the lead up to the event, it was more like those photos you see of Glastonbury where everyone is rolling around in the mud. Not ideal, but the show must go on. Monitor operator Simon Glozier and I were trying the new EVs alongside our regular mics, using them for a couple of bands until we got to know them. On the big stage the ND76 and ND86 had a full tone and plenty of level in the foldback without having any particular frequencies taking off, or having to seriously re-EQ anything. They work as intended with the ND76 being an easy to use, general purpose vocal mic. The ND86 is more focussed with good isolation for lead vocals.
Lots of the bands at Chopped are manic, with roaring onstage volume. With the loudest acts I found the ND76 and ND86 needed to be pushed in the front-of-house to get above the band and sometimes weren’t sharp enough to cut through without adding hi-mids. This is where the ND96 is needed. You have to be right on it but it cuts through like the proverbial hot knife. We had one on a stand between bands, admiring just how loud it was in the monitors, when it caught the eye of the singer from the next band — the insightfully named, The Pinheads.
I explained it was new and we were testing it and he confirmed that they were indeed a very loud band and was happy to try it. By the second song, the crowd was thrashing away and he went straight over the punter barrier, into the crowd and the mud, with the ND96 in hand. I don’t always understand the ways of the artist (TISM had some theories*) and this was one of those times. The mic took more mud than a microphone should, but it kept working and sounded great. The singer was nowhere to be seen after their set.
On a happier note, The Puta Madre Brothers use three kick drums in their energetic set so we had ourselves a kick drum mic shoot-out. The ND68 held its own in some classy company with its fast, punchy attack and modern, pre-EQ’d sound. The ND44 and ND46 moved between toms and guitar/bass cabs and it was the ND44 that got the most comments on its looks. The ND46 is the updated version of the distinctive swivel-headed N/DYM468 and it’s a bigger and better-looking mic than its predecessor. It reaches down deep and is aimed slightly more at guitar/bass cabs. The ND44 is more for toms, but they both work well on either. There’s no specific snare mic but the ND44 works and it’s the right size, the ND46 is a bit big to position in there, but gives a meaty sound. The ND66 SDC was impressive in use too; it had good isolation for a condenser and while it was not as linear as most SDC mics, its slightly-hyped top end was ideal for rock with plenty of detail and clarity.
90 YEARS OF CHOICE
EV made its first mic in 1930, and being the ‘other’ US-based mic manufacturer, it was made in North America. The new ND Series is made in China but I guess that’s a sign of the times. A lot of effort has gone into the design of these mics and the manufacturing quality is high. I expect these will be in use for a long time even if their intended environment is the risky live stage. Different mics suit different voices and some singers may find these mics are a better choice for theirs. The instruments mics cover all the common stage instruments and would also suit home or project studios. Production companies or venues may appreciate having a co-ordinated and sonically compatible range of live mics.
*Refer to TISM song The Mystery of the Artist Explained if you’re game.
What’s the difference between N/D capsules and dynamic capsules?