The MXL 990 Condenser Microphone: Unveiling the Power of Pro-Level Sound
Introduction
The MXL 990 Condenser Microphone is a game-changer in the world of audio recording. This review dives deep into this incredible microphone, revealing why it’s a favorite among musicians, podcasters, and content creators alike.
Pros
- Outstanding Sound Quality: The MXL 990 delivers professional-grade audio quality that’s crystal clear and rich, making it perfect for vocals and instrument recording.
- Affordable Price: You don’t have to break the bank to own a high-quality condenser microphone. The MXL 990 is budget-friendly without compromising on performance.
- Durable Build: Crafted with sturdy materials, this microphone can handle the wear and tear of regular use.
- Versatile: Ideal for vocals, acoustic instruments, and studio work, making it an all-in-one choice for a wide range of applications.
- No Setup Hassles: Its plug-and-play design means you can start recording with minimal effort.
- Low Self-Noise: Enjoy clean, noise-free recordings even in quiet environments.
- Eye-catching Design: Its sleek appearance adds a touch of professionalism to your recording setup.
Cons
- Requires Phantom Power: The MXL 990 needs +48V phantom power, which might not be available on all audio interfaces.
- Sensitive to Handling Noise: Being a condenser microphone, it can pick up vibrations and handling noise if not used with care.
Sound Quality
The standout feature of the MXL 990 is its exceptional sound quality. It captures audio with remarkable clarity, whether you’re singing, playing an instrument, or recording a podcast. The microphone’s cardioid polar pattern helps reduce unwanted background noise, ensuring that your recordings are crisp and professional.
Build Quality
The MXL 990 is built to last. With a rugged construction, it can handle the rigors of regular studio use. You won’t have to worry about it breaking down after a few sessions. This microphone is an investment in your craft that pays off over the long term.
Affordability
One of the most significant advantages of the MXL 990 is its affordability. It offers high-end performance without the hefty price tag. Whether you’re a budding musician or a seasoned pro, this microphone won’t strain your budget.
Versatility
This microphone is a versatile workhorse. It excels in recording vocals, acoustic instruments, and studio work, making it a one-stop solution for various audio recording needs. You won’t need multiple microphones when you have the MXL 990 in your setup.
Ease of Use
The MXL 990 is incredibly user-friendly. It’s a plug-and-play microphone, so you can start recording without going through a complex setup process. This feature is especially valuable for beginners and those who want a hassle-free experience.
Noise Performance
Background noise can ruin your recordings, but the MXL 990 keeps it to a minimum. Its low self-noise ensures that your audio is clean and free from interference. Even in quiet settings, you’ll get professional results.
Aesthetics
Not only does the MXL 990 perform exceptionally well, but it also looks great. Its sleek and modern design adds a touch of professionalism to your studio setup. It’s a microphone that not only sounds good but also looks the part.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the MXL 990 Condenser Microphone is a remarkable piece of audio equipment that offers pro-level sound quality at an affordable price. It’s versatile, easy to use, and built to last, making it an excellent choice for musicians, podcasters, and content creators.
While it requires phantom power and is sensitive to handling noise, its outstanding sound quality and budget-friendly price outweigh these minor drawbacks. If you’re looking for a high-performance microphone without the premium price tag, the MXL 990 is a top contender.
KID 1944 –
Very clear mic for podcasting
Rosely J. –
Funciona muy bn
Nicholas Collette –
This mic is definitely sufficient for normal recording, especially if you run it through a vocal effects processor. I plan to get the TC-Helicon VoiceLive 2 here at Amazon eventually (I really love the gender conversion that makes you sound like a good female voice) but right now I have the KORG EMX and ESX as well as the KORG Kaoscullator Pro, and this mic works great when connected to any of those (but of course connected to a phantom power source first, the patched to the Korg devices). The fact it comes in a nice durable case with foam padding impressed me right from he start. Then I hooked it up to the included shock mount and added a pop mic filter (VERY important you use a pop filter because condenser mics are sensitive to moisture from your mouth).The sound quality is far beyond anything I’m used to, but I must confess that I was one of those poor fools who didn’t even know what XLR and “phantom power” was — I only used mics with a USB connection or the 1/8″ stereo plug, and they all sound terrible compared to an XLR microphone with 48v phantom power.And even the XLR cables themselves are a dream come true! — I was always getting so angry with the normal 1/8″ cables messing up and then you have to lick them and plug ’em back in, then spin them around to get the sound to work right. (Nobody told me there was another option!) But XLR cables make it impossible for any humming or hissing sounds or disconnections of any kind since they lock in place and never need any toying with. Now I use XLR cables for all my speakers too, and for all the patch connections between my mixers, amps, and musical devices, and it has made creating music so much more enjoyable! Now I don’t have to fidget with those crappy 1/8″ cables anymore, and there’s never any hissing or annoying humming sounds to worry about. And of course I also realized that you can’t just plug your music output right in to your computer’s sound card and expect to get professional recording that way — you have to use a box that converts the music to digital and sends it via USB port to the software, and the box should have XLR inputs for mics and 1/4″ inputs as well. Only problem is Amazon has so many of those boxes, I can’t decide which one to buy. I want the Lexicon since they are masters of high quality sound recording, but some of the bad reviews make me worry. With musical devices, sometimes you just end up with a unit that has manufacturing defects, and unfortunately those people post bad ratings and make it seem like the product itself is to blame.
Charles Carrington –
I went through 3 mics before I tried this MXL 990 for recording through my computer and audio interface and I’m glad I tried it, my recordings are clearer and require less processing than before.
Katie L –
I bought this mic for a school project because I needed to make a CD and needed a mic for vocals. This works great for that (just make sure to use a wind screen). Im also the sound tech for my choir class and in the past we have used individual Audix handheld microphones for each singer. However this year we are taking a different approach to mic the singers. We just had an all day gig to sing Christmas songs at all the elementary schools in my town. Ive had some bad luck in the past with using condenser mics for choirs and live sound mainly because of feedback being so easy to get. When setting up for the gig at the schools, I forgot to grab cables to run my EQ so I knew that it was just going to be a wreck. But I decided to give it a try anyway. All of our gigs for that day were in school gyms so that defiantly wasnt going to help with my feedback issues of the past. I used 3 of these mics for a choir of about 25 kids. Ran them into a 6 channel Peavey Mixing board and directly out to 2 QSC K10 active speakers that were used for mains. No EQ except for the 80Hz Cutoff option on the board. I placed the speakers about 10 feet in front of the mics and gave it a shot. To my surprise they didnt feedback AT ALL. Even with the terrible acoustics in the gyms. I was easily able to project the sound of the choir without feedback issues. I was even told by one of the school administrators to turn the volume down at one point. So basically what Im saying is that for the money, these mics are great for many different uses. Whether it is recording at home or micing a choir for a live gig. These mics sound great. We will be buying about 6 more for our spring show in our performing arts center just because they are so cheap.
Fortune –
I bought this microphone December 2010 and it is still going strong. I have it connected to a Digidesign MBOX and for the price of this microphone I really can’t complain. With a little work you can really make this mic shine. I use it mainly to record hiphop vocals and it easily picks up all the little nuances in my voice. It is really sensitive and when it is on in my room I can hear the mic picking up my mouse clicks when it is on and I am monitoring myself.It isn’t the best sounding mic on the market but for the price it does a great job. If you have been using a computer microphone for all of your projects this is going to be like a whole different world to you.The mic clip it comes with attaches easily to most mic stands and the shock mount it comes with not only looks cool but is effective in preventing vibrations on the actual mic. The case that comes with it is a good place to store your mic when it isn’t in use.Overall for this price you can’t say too many bad things about it. I agree with some of the other reviewers saying it sounds a little muddy but with a little work you can make it sound really nice. I was iffy buying this mic at first but ever since I got it I have never regretted it. I would recommend it to anyone who is trying to build on their studio with a tight budget.Pros:-Very low price for the quality-Very nice looking mic with a good case-Shock mount does what it’s supposed to do.Cons:- A bit muddy on the soundIf anyone has questions feel free to ask! I’ll be happy to answer.
P skyy –
Travailler bienBien originea travailler bien c’ est profession
Matheus Henrique Siqueira Lemos –
MXL 990 Industries Microfone condensador com diafragma grande para quebrar o chãoÓtima qualidade de som, ruído quase imperceptível, feito com um material
Jaime –
Buena calidadLo utilizamos para producción de música, grabando voces.Se utiliza una interfaz Beringer y procesan las voces bastante bien
Nariman –
Top MicDas MXL990 ist das beste Mic das ich bisher in dieser Preisklasse ausprobiert habe.. ich persönlich benutze es sogar mittlerweile lieber als das NT1A von Rode, weil ich den Sound einfach wärmer finde ..