sE Electronics Neom USB overview: What’s it?
Whereas there is perhaps a sense in some quarters that USB microphones aren’t supposed for skilled use, we’ve discovered the know-how is evolving to the purpose the place the strains between so-called entry-level mics and higher-spec conventional XLR mics are blurring. Okay, you’re by no means going to depend on a sub-$/£200 USB mic on your one shot at recording the New York Symphony Orchestra, for instance, however for a lot of studio duties, these more and more ubiquitous instruments have gotten beloved for his or her portability, versatile nature and low value.
And now, the large names within the mic world are enjoying. We’ve seen very good USB mics from Shure and Rode, and now you’ll be able to add sE Electronics to the checklist (it additionally options in our information to the finest price range USB mics). The sE Neom follows the script set out by others, delivering a entrance tackle condenser micwith a cardioid pickup sample and a promising set of technical specs, however how does it try to face out in a crowded market?
From the second I opened the field, it was clear this isn’t a mic that follows design conventions too strictly. It’s taller than different mics within the class, for starters, with onboard controls for achieve, mic degree and playback ranges organized vertically up the entrance of the chassis. The achieve management has a round lED round it for relaying visible info on ranges, altering to purple if the sound is clipping. There’s no computerized achieve correction or pad filters right here, so this on the spot suggestions is useful. I additionally appreciated the way in which the mic achieve does certainly go as much as 11, proving the music world’s most well-known in-joke remains to be alive and kicking. Thanks, Spinal Faucet.
On the Neom’s flat bottom is a single 3.5mm connection for headphone monitoring, whereas the trunk is the place you’ll discover the Neom’s USB-C connection. The bundle is accomplished with a curious-looking metallic stand, whereas connectors for hooking it as much as a growth arm or conventional mic stand are additionally current.
General it’s an attention-grabbing bundle, for certain, however how does it carry out in the actual world? Let’s have a look.
sE Electronics Neom USB overview: Efficiency & verdict
The sE Neom is marketed as being a flexible price range USB mic, equally at residence recording voice – the standard wheelhouse for these mics – as it’s capturing sound from acoustic devices like pianospercussion and guitars. To check the idea, I plugged the Neom into my 2022 MacBook Air, fired up Adobe Audition and examined recording quite a lot of devices together with a Fender Jazz bass by way of a small solid-state combo amp, a kalimba after which an ordinary dreadnought acoustic guitar.
The kalimba sounded nice, with the mic capturing a clear, sample-rich sound which was straightforward to govern in Audition. There was loads of headroom accessible, and stacks of achieve there if you happen to want it. The Neom additionally did a good job of recording my small Orange Crush bass amp. In actuality, you in all probability wouldn’t look to a USB condenser mic for a raging 100w Mesa/Boogie stack, for instance, however for home-based studios the place there’s a have to file as shortly as inspiration hits, it labored completely.
With the acoustic guitarI examined the Neom together with a few different mics to supply a correct comparability. Alongside the Neom I employed the Audio Technica AT2020USB-XP and a Neumann TLM102 which, regardless of not being a USB mic, has all the time been my go-to mic for recording acoustic guitars. As you’d count on, the Neumann’s recordings had been a reduce above when it comes to constancy and element, however what stunned me was that the sE Neom wasn’t 1,000,000 miles away in capturing the nuances of among the extra delicate elements I recorded.
The actual fact it operates with out the necessity for a USB audio interface is an apparent profit too, which means I’d fortunately take the Neom away with me for a fast and easy recording resolution.
In comparison with the Audio Technica, you start to see a distinction in high quality, with the Neom providing extra in the way in which of usable headroom. What it lacks, nevertheless, is any on-mic noise discount – a giant tick within the AT2020USB-XP’s field – nevertheless supplied you employ a sturdy stand or growth arm you need to have the ability to appropriate any low-frequency rumbling in post-production. I additionally want the Neom had include a separate pop filter, notably because it presents itself as being an excellent possibility for speech recording, though you’ll be able to decide up aftermarket attachments pretty inexpensively if you happen to store round. Not a dealbreaker, however value protecting in thoughts if you’re making comparisons.
With regards to speech recording, the Neom does an excellent job of capturing the spoken phrase, which means it is a very good mic for podcasts, voiceovers, vlogs and streaming. Its simplicity means you don’t have to know each element of how the mic works to get one of the best out of it, and the inherent high quality of construct and building means it’s an funding you’ll solely have to make as soon as. A fast observe about compatibility – the Neom works completely with MacOS, Home windows, iOS and Android, so we will see a state of affairs the place we’d use a ‘conventional’ mic to file an instrument however then make use of the Neom with a smartphone to seize a video of the efficiency on the similar time.
General, sE has centered on delivering as a lot high quality and compatibility as it may well, whereas protecting the worth consistent with related merchandise. We appreciated the constancy and readability we bought from the check recordings, and would haven’t any issues recommending it as a flexible studio mic for small residence setups.
sE Electronics Neom USB overview: Arms-on demos
Darkish Nook Studios
James Youthful
Matthew Haines
sE Electronics Neom USB overview: Specs
- Sort: Condenser
- Pattern charge: As much as 192kHz
- Bit depth: 24-bit
- Frequency vary: 20Hz to 20kHz
- Polar sample: Cardioid
- Connectivity: USB-C
- Contact: sE Electronics
