RE20 Intermittent

[Just Mike]

odd problem. It works, then it doesn't. It just stops. Now, I haven't had it cut out on me in the middle of a recording or anything, but I've recorded for a few minutes, stopped and then returned after about a half hour or so, and it's dead. So far in my testing, I've taken it apart, looked at the ckt board, reflowed all of the solder connections, tested the element for continuity, tested the xfmr windings, jiggled wires with it plugged into a meter reading continuity. All seems good. Put it back together and it works for a while and then it doesn't.
I'm at a loss...

[Enzo]

Have you connected that mic with a different cord into a different mixer input to see if the mic is still defective or if there is something about the particular mixer channel?

And the innards of the mic, the transformer or the element itself, could just be intermittent.

[Leo_Gnardo]

Time was, ElectroVoice was very good about repairing their microphones. I don't know what the deal is currently. Worth your time to inquire if your RE20 doesn't start behaving itself pronto. If you do check in with EV please share their response with us, TIA.

Great mic, btw. I have one and it's the bees knees especially for mic'ing people with harsh voices, makes 'em sound smooth as butter. Also as I'm sure you know, a clear winner on kick drum, acoustic bass, baritone sax. I saw a YT video the other day, Jackson Browne performing at home, singing into an RE20. He's got big bucks, could have chosen any mic, sounds terrific on the '20.

[eschertron]

My mic problem is when I leave a mic plugged into the XLR cable, come back later (usually the next day) and the mic is dead. I find that wiggling the XLR plugs fix that. Is that something you've tried?

[Just Mike]

Yes, I've tried everything. I've had it apart multiple times including resoldering the xlr jack.

[nevetslab]

It's been a several years since I've been inside the RE-20. I do have some photos of that last adventure:





I don't have my service notes on this repair, when I was working at Westlake Recording Studios in the early 2000's, prior to coming here to CenterStaging. Good hunting!

[Just Mike]

nevetslab;
Mine is newer than that. The guts are different, No solder tabs on mine.