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The Electro-Voice RE320 is my favorite podcasting microphone. It produces a more natural sound than other studio dynamic microphones in the same price range.
Watch my previous review of the RE320 and my review of the RE20.
At NAB Show 2016, I talked to Rick Belt, one of the men behind the RE320. Rick told the story behind the RE320, including its predecessors, the Electro-Voice RE20 and RE27N/D. Rick Belt, known as TheEVMicGuy on YouTube, was part of a strategic team to make a versatile dynamic cardioid microphone that works great for voice, as well as recording music, with a lower price point than the more expensive RE20 and RE27N/D.
Electro-Voice began developing the technology for the RE20 and the RE27N/D in the 1950s, which became known as Variable D. This technology means you don't have to maintain an exact distance from the microphone to get a consistent tone. (Most dynamic microphones get more bassy the closer you get.) Variable D was patented in 1964 and Electro-Voice used this technology in 1968 in the RE20.
In the 1980s, Electro-Voice began using neodymium magnets, which are more sensitive than the ceramic magnets in the RE20. Around 1984, they introduced the RE27N/D with this technology. The RE27N/D sounds more like a condenser microphone, which most people find makes their voice sound richer and more “radio-like,” even though it is a dynamic mic, which means it won’t pick up as much background noise.
Electro-Voice wanted to approach the music market with a less expensive version of the RE20, using its body and the engine out of the RE27N/D. Electro-Voice came up with a low-mass, high-velocity plastic that responds quickly to voice.
And thus, inspired from Rick's tests in his basement, the RE320 Variable-D dynamic vocal and instrument microphone was born.
The Electro-Voice RE320 is my top recommend podcasting microphone and it retails for $299.
For comparison, the No products found. retails for $449 and the Electro-Voice RE27N/D retails for $499.
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Disclosure
This post may contain links to products or services with which I have an affiliate relationship and may receive compensation from your actions through such links. However, I don't let that corrupt my perspective and I don't recommend only affiliates.
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Good info! I have used the RE20 for years, am looking at getting a new podcast mic, and am considering RE320 and BP40 (AT). This is leaning me toward the 320.
I use exclusively EV’s microphones. I don’t understand the love affair everyone has with the Heil PR40… the RE320 is ideal for podcasting in my view… especially given the needs that most people have viz. sound control in their room. The RE20 is awesome… but let’s face it – it helps to have nearly studio conditions. With the RE320… you don’t need that…
Just buy the 309A shockmount for it… and have good cables and a decent input for your computer. I use the Shure X2u instead of a board since that’s the only input I have podcasting… and I don’t like how mixers usually output at FM quality…
I’ve been super happy with the RE320… and bought one early on largely thanks to the first podcast review on it… and testing it myself with the RE20 the RE320 the Heil PR40 a Neuman BCM (which is suuuuuper sweet but wow 1100 microphone) an AT2020 and the Pro/Podcaster…
You can’t go wrong buying this mic… you really cant.