sE Matrix - Interactive Microphone Applications Guide

We are currently developing an interactive microphone applications guide called the sE Matrix with the help of some of the best "ears" in the business and we're looking for input from as many sE users as possible. The sE Matrix will combine in depth commentary, testimonials and advice from producers, engineers, musicians, recording artists and studios across the globe. Once we have enough data, the sE Matrix will go 'live' and allow browsers to search for the right microphone by application based on the feedback provided by sE users.

If you wish to share your recording knowledge of sE microphones and would like to be listed in the sE Matrix (we would naturally link to your website to help promote your music, studio or projects) please e-mail matrix@seelectronics.com with your comments and any questions you may have. Alternatively, get in touch via Twitter, Facebook or Google+. We look forward to hearing from you and sharing your recording experiences (and pictures if you have them) of sE Electronics and sE Rupert Neve gear with the ever-growing sE community.

Please find below some sample data for the sE Matrix:

Jake Gosling (Ed Sheeran, Wiley): "The sE1a pair and 4400a’s get used on pretty much everything; vocals, rap, percussion, snare’s top and bottom, Hammond, electric guitars, acoustic guitars, violins and strings."

Rik Simpson (Coldplay): "Having used the sE4400a’s for the piano parts on Coldplay’s latest album I wish I’d had them on piano duty for the previous record too, quite a statement to make considering how the band are renowned for their piano parts and sounds…"

Andrew William Spence / Project 9 Studio (Dead Beat Echoes, The Happy Mondays): “I tried 3 or 4 'industry-standard' guitar amp mics on the session but nothing came close to the sE RNR1 on the day.” Picture above features Deadbeat Echoes' guitarist Andy Brown at Project 9 Studio (Surge of Youth Session - October 2011). Photo courtesy of Tom Dunn.

Tony Draper: "My sE RNR1 was integral to getting the best piano sound of my career yesterday! (Picture below) I love how it brings realism and a gorgeous detailed midrange to the table."

Max Jacomb (Audio Design & Production) "Just wanted to say that if ever i need crisp top-end smoothness for a vocal or guitar cab without losing body, it's the 2200t that I go for. As opposed to mics costing up to 3 times as much!"

Dr Creative Productions: "I work with acoustic instruments and specifically with the top Indian classical musicians for Sense World Music and have used sE alongside Rodes, Neumann and others and have to say sE are fantastic value but more importantly do the job. I did a shoot out between a Rode NTK and the sE Z5600 mk2 and kept going to the sE everytime"

Tony Platt (Bob Marley, AC/DC, Thin Lizzy, The Stranglers, Motorhead, Gary Moore, Buddy Guy) on the sE4400a: "I have used it on acoustic guitar, electric guitar, bass, percussion - it is a true all rounder. Most importantly it has a particular character so I can choose it to do a certain job with confidence..it seems to be somewhere between a U87 and a C414".

Recording Hacks Drum Overhead Mic Shootout with Schoeps, Neumann, AKG, sE Rupert Neve, Milab, Nevaton, Earthworks, Mojave Audio, Oktava: "The sE RN17 has it all. Every positive adjective I can use for any of these other mics, they all apply to this one. Smooth, balanced, warm, present, articulate… it’s like somebody went through these tracks and EQ’d away every bit of high-end hash and low-frequency wooliness and left behind just the stuff I want to hear." 

Chris Corney (The Quireboys, Joe Elliott's Down 'n' Outz): "My ‘go to’ mic of choice for recording guitar amps is the sE R1 Ribbon mic. This was a real revelation when I got this.. Suddenly great sounding electric guitars were so much easier to achieve!"

Cidero Sognatore: "Sample library makers will start using the RN17 before too long, which is great! But as long as we all remember that in the end it is the musician who makes the music, and that (amongst other great mics) the RN17 captures the essence of what's 'going on', we have to realise that we can and will depend on great mics, capturing live performances and not on sampled libraries! (as much as I sometimes have /and like to use them!)"

Titus Vadon (Drew Sarich) "I used a sE H1 in the bass drum, a sE4400a on the snare, and a Gemini 3 for the mono overhead for recording a sixties vintage drum kit."

We're looking for more data, please e-mail marketing@seelectronics.com with your sE recording experiences and share your sE love. Any photos you may have of sE gear being used in the studio would also be welcome. You could always send us your comments first and then any pictures when the opportunity arises in session.