SE ELECTRONICS - SE4400a Multi Pattern Large Diaphragm Vintage Microphone with Shockmount and Case

Good mic. Came with a shockingly good little flight case. Nice shock mount. Rubberized surface helps keep you from dropping and breaking your investment.The visual similarities to the classic AKG 414 are obvious. (414's go for what, $1,600? $2,000?) This isn't the current, relatively bright but very good AKG 414. It has a little bit more tube-ish, ribbon-ish, mellower character to it.I've recorded some things and played around with the results since I got it. I bought it at the same time as an LCT 440 Pure. They're both good mics but have essentially opposite philosophies. I feel like the se4400 is going to give me a good tone straight out of the mic but with a reserved upper register - it is then my job go find, on the eq, what high parts I might want to emphasize, if I feel that is neccessary. With the LCT 440, it's going to give you everything and it is up to you to subtract from it. It has some warmth but is also a very airy mic. I find the se4400 a little easier to get quick results from when eqing. It's just easier to add a bump in the upper eq where you find a sweet spot than trying to figure out what to subtract and leave in.Generally I feel really confident with this mic doing vocal takes and acoustic guitar that I am going to get a good recording. I happen to use pennywhistles, recorders, and similar instruments in my music and having a non-hyped upper end is a real plus there.If you're looking for a poor man's AKG 414, this isn't exactly it, but in my case I felt like I got something that suited me a little better than a 414 would have. I'm sure you could save a parametric EQ setting with a shelf in the upper range, perhaps a few other tweaks and get a pretty decent approximation.Or look at some of the LCT products if you want a poor man's 414. I only wish the sE mics came with the same kind of built-in magnetic pop filter as the LCT's. Personally though, I wouldn't give up my se4400 up for a 2nd LCT. I did a LOT of research listening to endless mic shootouts on youtube with reference headphones and, within my particular budget, purposely paired these two mics because of their different characters - I like to alternate vocal takes, acoustic guitar takes, etc with these two - both are going to give you excellent material out of the mic, assuming your mic technique is good, but different takes on these two get out of each others' way without too much tweaking.original date 4/4/, update 5/16/18 still super happy with this mic.

I've received so many compliments while twitch streaming or on zoom calls with others. Be sure you know what XLR cables and phantom power are if you're thinking about buying this.I'm very happy so far.

I record recreationally and have had a fair amount of exposure to gear and I think the sE 4400a stands out as a multi-pattern LDC at this price point. I use this microphone on a daily basis primarily for acoustic guitar and I find it to be a great choice for that. I have also set the 4400a up on a drum kit by the floor tom pointing at the snare in a three mic set up. Very full sounding on the lows and not strident in the higher cymbal frequencies. The patterns on offer are all distinct and pleasing and the microphone is silent when it should be. I have other microphones with their own strengths and weaknesses and I am not really comparing here but I will say the sE 4400a simply feels good a majority of the time and that is something of high value for me. I reach for it all the time and I bet you would too. Cheers.