Neat Worker Bee II (vs. AT2020, P120, 990)

MicrophoneReview
Written By Bandrew Scott

Today i review the Neat Worker Bee 2, a budget condenser microphone. This has no switches or filters, it simply offers a cardioid polar pattern and a slight V-shape sound profile. It has a powerful low end, slightly recessed mid section and a clear top end. It does a sub par job at plosive rejection and the shock rejection also leaves a little bit to be desired, so it would have been fantastic for this to come with a shockmount and pop filter, but at the price, I can't complain too much.

RECORDING SETTINGS:

  • Interface: Focsurite Scarlett 18i20 4th Gen

  • Conversion: 24-bit / 48kHz

  • Gain: +31dB

  • Boosted in Post: +11dB

SPECS:

  • Polar Pattern: Cardioid

  • Freq Response : 20Hz - 20khz

  • Sensitivity: ~ -34.5dB

  • Max SPL: 145dB

  • Impedance: 50-ohms 

Buy the Neat Worker Bee 2 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/workbee2

Buy the Focusrite 18i20 4th Gen - (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: https://geni.us/18i204th
Sweetwater: https://sweetwater.sjv.io/18i204th
B&H Photo: https://bhpho.to/3DLyvHf
Thomann: https://thmn.to/thoprod/596531

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Setup
00:28  - What’s in the Box
00:53 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:18 - Specifications
01:30 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
01:47 - Plosive Test
02:07 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:33 - Background Noise Test 
02:49 - Untreated Room Test
03:11 - Shock Rejection Test
03:31 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
03:44 - Mic Comparison Intro
04:19 - Neat Worker Bee 1 Comparison
04:39 - Neat King Bee 1 Comparison
05:02 - Neewer NW700 Comparison
05:28 - Mackie EM91c Comparison
05:55 - Tascam TM80 Comparison
06:17 - MXL 990 Comparison
06:43 - Audio Technica AT2020 Comparison
07:09 - sE Electronics X1a Comparison
07:36 - Lewitt LCT240 Comparison
08:02 - AKG P120 Comparison
08:27 - Shure PGA181 Comparison
08:49 - Neat King Bee v2 Comparison
09:16 - Rode NT1 5th Gen Comparison
09:42 - Shure SM57 Comparison
10:10 - Earthworks SR117 Comparison
10:34 - Neumann U87Ai Comparison
11:03 - Music Test
12:51  - Pros & Cons
14:17 - Overall Thoughts
15:42 - Recommendation

Bandrew Scott

Bandrew Scott is the founder and host of the youtube channel Podcastage, where he posts reviews of audio gear, and shares tips and tricks to improve the audio of your Podcast, YouTube Channel, or Live Stream.

He also founded the Geeks Rising podcast network, which is home to amazing education, wellness, and pop culture podcasts such as Tourette’s Podcast, Sunshine & Powercuts, and On The Subject.

Bandrew also runs his own show titled the Bandrew Says Podcast. On this show he analyzes the latest news to determine how it affects the content creation ecosystem, and shares that to help creates remain aware of how the platform they use is changing. 

https://www.bandrewscott.com/
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