Endgame sE DynaCaster DCM 8 (Endgame) Analysis

HiFiASMR

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Not a fan of reviewing dynamic mics. They have poor performance in general compared to high quality large diaphragm condensers. After listening to the SE DynaCaster DCM 8 samples of it online I was fairly impressed. The treble boost switches help in making it sound more bright open and clear. Objectively, for optimum performance, I'd recommend the 4dB treble boost or flat and then choose which bass switch you want for a warmer or thinner sound.
The microphone is neodymium which is good since it will make it slightly more sensitive needing less gain than a typical dynamic mic. This will reduce the stress of the preamp by a few dBs and lower preamp self noise hiss but only by a little. With dynamic mics every dB helps since it's why I don't use dynamic mics to begin with. Also has a built in preamp booster for bad preamp you may use it with. Boosters are never going to be better than a good preamp. Keep that in mind.
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Based on their advertised specs, you'd think the sE DynaCaster DCM 8 would sound better flat than the industry standard Shure SM7b in its flat state. Honestly it might have been true if it wasn't so prominent at 3kHz however I don't think that spot is a deal breaker. Also, keep in mind these are advertised spec measurements. I do not think the treble is as smooth as the advertised specs. I think the treble sounds fatiguingly colored more so than Shure SM7b. The sE DynaCaster DCM 8 sounds pretty damn good vs Shure SM7b with a clearer more articulate sound however the treble does sound colored.
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UPDATE
After having used the sE DynaCaster DCM 8, I can safely say to use the microphone with the first treble boost to get a clear, and detailed sound. There is some gaggy 3kHz prominence that kind of ruins it in flat mode and the treble is clearly not completely smooth. It's not bad enough that I'd not use it or choose it over the Shure SM7b. A lot of the switches just color the sound obviously. The first treble boost is better tuned to my target and the bass boost sounds a little muddy to emulate proximity effect. Just use it with the 4dB treble boost enabled or flat treble. The treble boost may sound a little more piercing and colored in the treble but it gets rid of the subtle gaggy 3khz tone. Turn the Dynamite off and use a good preamp if possible.
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The Dynamite seems to not color the highs? Maybe? Turn It off if using the treble boost switches and see if it sounds better to you. In flat mode I don't notice a coloration problem in the treble with the dynamite on. If there's coloration from the Dynamite, it's subtle.
The sE DynaCaster DCM 8 has a almost omni pickup pattern as we can see by the almost circle rather than heart shape pickup pattern.
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I liked the idea of it and what they were trying to do. However, it's wide pickup pattern is prone to picking up more outside noise around it.. Just get a Shure SM7b like a normal person if you are concerned you might not like it and want to be safe. I do like the sound of it with flat bass and treble though. Has more treble clarity than the Shure SM7b. It also has slightly less preamp hiss which is barely audible in critical listening if you don't use too much gain.
 
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thanks for your quick reply/review, I got this mic second hand for 200€ in excellent condition with 3 years warranty so it seemed like a fair deal. I mainly got it for the layout of its xlr port as I'm going to mount it on a desk stand
 
feyvre said:
thanks for your quick reply/review, I got this mic second hand for 200€ in excellent condition with 3 years warranty so it seemed like a fair deal. I mainly got it for the layout of its xlr port as I'm going to mount it on a desk stand
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Seems like this thing is better than I first thought. Tone seem better than Shure SM7b which is what I think is best you can get dynamic mic tonality wise. Until now anyway... Wow.
 
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