STOAKES’ GEAR TALK – SE ELECTRONICS SE 2200

The market of affordable microphones has grown extensively over the past few years. The sE Electronics SE2200 is another microphone that finds itself in the affordable price range, smack bang in the Rode NT1-A price range territory. The Rode over the years has become a ‘go to’ choice, but I think the sE really provides some stiff competition. I have had the sE 2200 now for about a month and have recorded the last four weeks worth of radio shows using it, plus done a few musical bits and bobs. Lets see how I found it…

Upon opening the microphone box, the presentation was great. The mic was encased in foam and the box would also serve as a handy storage box when the mic is not in use. Also in the box there is sE’s ‘isolation pack’, basically an included shock mount and metal pop filter. If I’m being honest, I wasn’t overly impressed at the build quality of the shock mount, it’s plastic and I worry that I might snap something as it doesn’t feel the sturdiest. The mic sits in a little cradle that you have to then tighten to hold it in place and I also found when I tightened the screw, the cable would regularly come out of the XLR socket, so to work around the problem, the mic is sitting a tiny bit loose in the cradle. Which is fine, it’s not going anywhere, but it isn’t 100% sturdy.

The metal pop shield is amazing. I’ve not encountered any problems with plosives at all, the metal mesh really does do a great job of dispersing the sound. It also is great with sibilance’s, again, I haven’t encountered and sibilance issues. The microphone itself has great build quality too. It feels weighty, which I like.

As I said, I have used the SE2200 on both my radio show and various bits of music recording. It’s a great little workhorse microphone and has some really useful high end features that a lot of mics in this price range don’t have. For example, the mic gives you the option to turn the input level down by -10 or -20 dB. This is really handy, if you’re recording noisy guitar amps for example. If you’re working in a home studio, or even a bedroom studio with no soundproofing, you have the ability to use the mics built in, low cut filter which is selectable at either 80 Hz or 160 Hz and this just limits the amount of unwanted noise from the room, or the street outside your bedroom window. The microphone is cardioid which again helps to minimise any unwanted room noise.

The sound quality is great, a really well balanced and bright sound. It sounds really good with instruments, both acoustic guitars and even with electric guitars, turn that input level down to -10dB and stick it in front of an amp, it’ll perform great. Vocals are so smooth and airy. The mic is super clear too, it’s a real all rounder. There is a little bit more mic self noise than I would like, but unless you are really cranking up the gain, you won’t notice that at all. All in all, a great workhorse.

So, the big question, would I buy one? I have compared it to my NT1-A and I think sound wise, it’s a much nicer, smoother sound. Check out this competition advert I produced using the sE2200 and when you compare the vocal quality to the interview I did with Jim Cregan, which was done on my NT1-A, sonically there is no contest. The sE 2200 is much smoother. I really like this microphone, but the only thing that lets it down for me is the plastic shockmount and screw which kept disconnecting the XLR cable. Now, I know I could easily buy a better quality shockmount and it isn’t part of the microphone, but it just spoilt an otherwise amazing product. That being said, without the shockmount, I couldn’t fault it. Buy a separate shockmount and this microphone wont disappoint!

Specs

• Capsule Type: Hand-crafted 1″ True Condenser
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Frequency range: 20 Hz – 20 kHz
• Sensitivity: 23.7 mV/Pa (-32.5 dBV)
• Max SPL: 125 / 135 / 145 dB (0/10/20 dB pad) (0.5% THD @ 1kHz)
• Equivalent noise level: 8 dB(A)
• Dynamic range: 117 / 127 / 137 dB (0/10/20 dB Attentuation pad)
• Signal to Noise Ratio: 86 dB
• Low-cut filter: 80 / 160 Hz, 6 dB/Oct, switchable
• Attenuation Pad: 10 / 20 dB, switchable
• Powering: 48 Volts according to IEC 61938
• Electrical Impedance: <50 Ohms
• Recommended load impedance: >1k Ohms
• Current consumption: 4.2 mA
• Connectivity: 3-pin male XLR connector
• Dimensions: Diameter: 51mm (2.01 in), Length 215mm (8.46 in)
• Weight: 611 g (21.55 oz.)

R.R.P £209.99