it sounds good on so many different sources. i haven't been more satisfied with any other purchase.

i was thinking of getting a shure sm7, which i understand to be a somewhat-more-hifi alternative to the above. in general usage, where do these microphones overlap and not overlap?

SM7 will kick more asses with its vocal tone, you will need a preamp with lots of gain though. the SM7 is pretty sweet in the kick as well with the presence switch up of course.

sm7 doesn't have as much of a mid-range dip, which gives it a less "drill sound" quality on guitars.

i definitely like it more on bassy things. never tried it on drums.

thanks.. sounds like i'll like it

shagboy wrote:it sounds good on so many different sources. i haven't been more satisfied with any other purchase.

this is exactly how i feel about the re-20 i just got. i don't have access to a 421, so i can't really compare the two, but that sentiment... yup.

Yes, very nice mic. Great on bass guitar, bass drum, guitar, snare, toms, sax, some vocals, wow almost everything. Re-20 yes, I have both on bass guitar, re-20 captures a more full sound by itself. A 421 has more grit on bass guitar. Combine the 2, goodness, yes. I do notice however that the re-20 seems to be a controlling mic. It would work good on a vocal that needs to be tamed. I heard wacko jacko used a SM7 on his voice for thriller. That makes sense to me because he has a voice thats needs to be tamed. Heee. And I picture the SM7 quite similar to the re-20 with a little more excitement in the high mid, or high section. I use a tube mic on my voice. Thats sounds best to me. Maybe my voice sucks. Who knows?