Electro Voice 767A is a cheap but very good sounding vocal mic. Although it may not be as durable as Shure SM58, it certainly has a way better performance for just about the same price. It has a bright high-end with a smooth bottom end. Whatever your voice is, it will never sound muddy as this mic always delivers a lot of detail and clarity. If you need a good entry-level mic with above standard sound quality, and you don’t mind being cautious with handling, then 767A is the mic for you. Especially, if you consider some future upgrades and are ready to accept its limited longevity.
Sound & quality
When it comes to sound, the first thing you will notice is 767A has a much higher sensitivity than most of the other dynamic microphones in the market. This is achieved by using a considerably larger diaphragm transducer. In terms of clarity it’s quite crisp and easily beats SM58 in A/B comparison. Inflections preserve a lot of detail similar to that of a condenser microphone. It can handle high sound pressure. For a live performance, this means you can sing as loud as you wish without having to worry about the sound being distorted. Surprisingly, this mic is one of the few that works well for bass singers where other even more expensive units often sound unbearable. Actually, it works well for all kinds of voices (not only bass) and thus certainly deserves credit.
On the other hand, a much more important factor for the stages with high sound pressure is the gain before feedback. No matter how good a mic sounds in a studio, but if it triggers a PA squall it can ruin any performance and as such, practically becomes worthless. Having a supercardioid polar pattern, 767A actually delivers a quite decent GBF. As most stages have speakers at both sides rather than in the middle, a mic with such pattern will work much better than typical cardioid (e.g. SM58).
Durability
This is where Electro Voice 767A gets tricky. Unlike other cruiserweight champions, this mic is not designed for resisting abuse. That doesn’t mean it will shatter like a glass the first time you drop it. I’ve read that someone even dropped it intentionally to see if it will continue to work. And it did. But I’d love to see him doing that a couple more times just to prove him wrong. According to reviews, many people claim that the mic dies even without any apparent reasons, let alone the misuse. So I would advise being very cautious about handling. Just because it’s dynamic doesn’t mean it is bulletproof.
Who should use it?
EV 767A can be excellent for starter or occasional performers who want to get the best quality within a limited budget, but also bass singers. It delivers a good amount of precision in the voice, and so allows you to hear yourself clearly. This will help you with learning while avoiding some defective techniques and imperfections. On the other hand, if you trained singing with a muddy-sounding mic, when you upgrade to a professional model, you may need a bit of relearning. All in all, even if it won’t serve you for a decade, it is still a very cheap mic, and if it eventually dies it isn’t that big of a deal. For such a low price and great sound, it’s really hard to complain.
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I was recommended this mic from a friend but now I’m thinking about the plosives… can that be a big problem?
Many mics can be sensitive to plosives including more expensive ones (like Heil PR35), yet many people swear by it, so this is subjective and also depends on your technique. Let me put it like this: if you tend to get strong plosives while singing or if this somehow bothers you, it may be indeed better to look for other models.. otherwise, this should not be a problem!
Why not just talk into the mic slighlty turned off axix to avoid plosisves?
I love this mic but you can’t go off axix as it is really super cardiod.
I have a nice pop filter on it sitting on a stand. I use it for podcasting and voice over. It sounds great. I see no way this microphone is not durable. Made like a tank. I also put a pop stopper inside and hum remover inline.
I’ve been using an EV767A since 1986 I’ve done small tours recorded at home before setting up my studio, I’ve dropped it many times 29 years service with the same mic still working till this day
I’ve been using a 767A for years as a live performance mic and will continue. I noticed the differences immediately from the SM58’s I’d always used; mostly on the low end. It suits my baritone very nicely. Not as well constructed (plastic throat ) but I’d replace it if it quit despite having several 58’s for the rest of the band…..
I went through several vocal mics before I found this EVND767a but when I did I knew it was the one for me. I use this mic for live performances mainly but, I have on occasion just used it for a main speaker at a public gathering. It is crisp,clear and, has great definition with a nice low end punch at close usage, makes your vocals full and, quality sounding. I did try a newer model of this mic that EV came out with but, after 1 song I went back to the 767a and, sold the newer one. I have purchased 2 more of the EVND767a’s because I like them so much and, I don’t want to be without one.
The only annoying things I have had with my two EV mics since I’ve had them in the late 80’s is their incompatibility with standard XLR plugs, (loose and cut out) and their outer sleeves rotting away. Both replaced from US store 6 years ago. Fine since.
So I’m wondering where you get the idea they are not so robust?
I’ve got most types of mic I’ve bought, used and gigged with. And these are the oldest still in regular use! Though my go to mic usually is a beta 87, I rate this as good as beta 58. Great value now, was expensive in the 80’s!