sEX1 & PROJECT REFLEXION FILTER REVIEW

SE Electronics state that the cheekily named sEX1 was produced with one thing in mind...(no, not that!)...not to just outperform every other mic on the market in its price category, but to blow them out the water! It was time to take a closer look at this magical microphone for myself...

SE ELECTRONICS sEX1 - THE FACTS

So lets start with the facts. The sEX1 is a large diaphragm, cardioid, condenser microphone, meaning that before you even begin to think about using it, you are going to have to be in possession of a piece of kit that is capable of supplying standard 48V phantom power. But I'm sure you already knew that, right? So without patronising you any further, lets move on...

As well as coming with a 1" precision handmade diaphragm, the sEX1 is also equipped with a 10dB pad, bass cut, and is finished with an aptly 'sexy' black rubber paint finish. For those of you who are fairly new to using microphones, the pad feature allows you to record exceptionally loud sounds without risking damage to the microphones preamp. Simples!

SE ELECTRONICS sEX1 - THE SOUND

So what does it sound like? Pretty damn good actually, especially considering this piece of kit costs little over £100! Now I'm no singer, but I've used my fair share of mics before, and I have to say that I was very impressed with the vocal clarity that the sEX1 delivered when I hooked it up for myself. Now, I would be lying if I were to say that it was the best mic I had ever used, as I've had experience with mics a lot more expensive than this, but was it the best vocal mic in it's price range? I would have to admit, that through my experience it most certainly was!

For budget or home studios, this mic really is a must. For certain types of music this microphone could even be used to achieve adequate vocals in a professional sounding mix! I would certainly recommend it for heavy rock type vocals, where the music could help cover up the few flaws that give this microphone away as not being 'top end'. For music where vocals are the main focus, I would recommend a much more expensive mic (and a professional studio!), but for home and demo vocal recordings, the sEX1 definitely won't let you down.

PROJECT REFLEXION FILTER

With the sEX1, it's always advisable to use protection (from unwanted reflections that is)! A deal that's most certainly worth taking advantage of is the sEX1 and Project Reflexion Filter bundle, for a mere extra £40. That's a great deal considering the Project Reflexion Filter is worth over £100 if bought separately! I'm guessing that since you are interested in a budget microphone, you're probably not recording at Abbey Road, or anywhere else that is professionally acoustically treated, and so a reflection filter is really a must. Again, the Project Reflexion Filter is actually stated as being an entry level piece of gear, but it does offer some highly exceptional results. The Pro RF filter is considered by many as a must-have tool for vocal recording, and in it's time it has seen many copy-cat products attempting to simulate it's functionality. However, SE Electronics have a number of key patents on the original design, meaning that although cheap imitations may look the same, they certainly do not perform with equal quality. However, since these limits do not confine the structure of the Project Reflexion Filter, SE Electronics have been able to produce a product that has many of the professional features of the Pro version built into it. In other words, you will not find a better budget reflection filter in the same price range!

The Project Studio RF uses the same basic design as the Pro version, but omits the multiple layers and acoustic boundaries and replaces them with the same, patented, polyester acoustic board. The new baby RF is then lined with a high grade, high density crystal foam with a unique curved ridge cut which performs far better than standard acoustic foam. The result is a true Reflexion Filter product, designed and built by sE.

CONCLUSION

SE Electronics have produced two truly brilliant products, and at such an attractive price, no budget home studio should be without them. I would however, also recommend purchasing a pop-shield with these products, as I found that without one, it was far too easy to sway slightly too close to the microphone and cause the signal to clip. The pop-shield would also help eliminate some of the slight sibilance that I occasionally experienced whilst making my records (although when I say 'slight', I do mean 'slight').

But, if you're looking to record professional sounding demo's on a budget, or simply capture some vocal samples for use in experimental productions, then this bundle will serve you perfectly!

Purchase the sEX1 condenser microphone

Purchase the sEX1 condenser microphone with Project Reflexion Filter