Digital Reference DRV100 Dynamic Cardioid Handheld Microphone

Even though it was in stock. Still canceled my order after I paid. I never received it, so I can't review it. Now I see it is still listed in stock, and at the sale price it stated 2 weeks ago.

After spending the afternoon testing my new DRV100 dynamic microphone, I can confidently say that it has earned a place in my mic locker. But what kind of place, exactly? In terms of sound quality and aural character, the DRV100 reminds me of several microphones in this price range: the Electro-Voice Cobalt Co9, the Shure SM58, the Mackie EM-89D, and most of all, the SE V3. Like those mics, the DRV100 has a presence peak around 5-6 kHz, meaning that it's kind of bright (verging on sibilant), but not especially detailed or realistic. In fact, the DRV100 has a somewhat grainy and lo-fi character, which I really like for certain applications. For instance, the DRV100 would be excellent on snare drums, hand claps, and possibly toms or congas or djembes. It might also work wonders on a darker-sounding electric guitar, such as a Les Paul or a semi-hollow. But my intended use case for the DRV100 is as a "character mic" for my voice (a bass-baritone on the light side). The DRV100 has a certain texture and persona, reminiscent of a CB radio, or a brash karaoke mic, or a high-quality portable phone from the 1990's [landline, not cell phone]. Some songs require a mic with a transparent, neutral, and clinical sound; the DRV100 is definitely not that. But other songs require a mic with a gritty, tough, worldly, and urgent sound; the DRV100 is ideal for that. As a vocalist, my styles run the gamut: spoken word, rapping (think mid 90's Wu-Tang Clan or Mobb Deep), ranting, chanting, voice over... and of course singing. Sometimes I sing rock/pop, and then my voice is similar to Paul Banks's or David Gahan's, and sometimes I sing crooner/lounge, and then my voice is similar to Sinatra's or Dean Martin's.) When recording, I'm often seeking a raw and compelling performance, and a striking or edgy sound quality. The DRV100 will be very useful for achieving that kind of sound. It's a keeper. Depending on your point of view (and intended use), the DRV100 might be a tad harsh, sibilant, and grainy -- but that's *also* one of its strengths and outstanding qualities. What else can I say about the DRV100? It's fairly loud, noticeably louder than my Tascam TM-82 or Shure SM58. Oh, one more thing: DRV100 is somewhat boxy or muddy, but that's easy enough to fix with EQ.

I'm very happy with this microphone that I got for my birthday!

I got this mic very, very cheap from Black Friday. I'm glad I didn't get it for the price they have it currently listed at. The mic sound is very good, it flatters the voice nicely. Good mid-range, decent highs, and pretty basic lows. It doesn't give your voice a broadcast type sound, but it at least will be honest about your voice. It does absolutely nothing to reject plosives. I don't use this mic for singing at all, but spoken word, it will reject nothing. This is a handheld mic, so it's probably built with distance in mind, and at a distance it's not bad. It's a little bit more sensitive than your regular dynamic mics, but I think that's another distance calculation.

I needed a mic in a pinch while out of town and didnt want to spend a fortune because I had other mics at home. I was really impressed with this mic. For the price it was great. I would have paid more and still been happy. Quite surprised how good the vocals were with this mic.

GREATTTT FOR MUSICIANSS