It is essentially identical to the MCA SP1, in that it uses MXL’s common Schoeps-style transformerless circuit, and the 603S small-diaphragm capsule (mounted within a brass ring) such as found in the MXL 990 … Most budget condenser microphones suited for hobby or entry-level professional audio work are well outside of the MXL’s typical price range. Whether that’s a good thing or a bad thing depends on your budget and your needs. It feels solid and rugged. The MXL 990 is typically billed as a large-condenser microphone, but its diaphragm diameter actually falls a quarter of an inch short of the one-inch standard. It is really effective for eliminating mechanical vibrations that may get picked up by the mic. You’ll find loads of budget condenser mics on the market for all types of applications. It is clad in a black finish with a gold print for the logo and pick-up angle indicator. 2020 • All rights reserved. MXL 440 Cardioid Condenser Microphone. My home studio lighting theme is black and blue, so with some black spray paint, this was a perfect match and looks awesome with my setup. The first is a responsive, high-quality capsule. The mid-range has solid presence that will allow vocals to cut through the mix without any EQ tweak. The self-noise level is 20dBA, which is fairly low. For many of us, part of producing great audio is the challenge of finding gear that will do the job without breaking the bank. If you want to create 24-bit high-resolution tracks, you will need to stick with the XLR version. While the stand adapter is a basic plastice piece, the included MXL-90 shock mount is of very good quality. The following discussion will explain to you further about how these microphones compare to each other, and whether you should go for MXL 440 or MXL 990. Unfortunately, that isn’t always realistic. MXL 440 can be a valuable addition to any studio, either as a primary microphone or a back-up. Overall, the performance of MXL 440 is definitely better than your typical USB mic. Each of them has a frequency response range of 30 Hz – 20 kHz, a sensitivity of 15mV/Pa, a maximum SPL handling of 130dB at 0.5% THD, and an output impedance of 200 Ohms. The mic itself was wrapped in a plastic bag along with some dessicant to prevent moisture from entering and damaging the sensitive internals. Among the most popular are condenser microphones used for recording vocals. MXL 440 ships with a plastic stand adapter, but the shock mount is sold separately. Ask a hundred people what makes a quality condenser microphone and you’ll probably get a hundred different answers. Mics, mics, and more mics! MXL 440, MXL 441, Case, and Mic Stand Adapters The MXL 440/441 is a beautiful microphone ensemble designed to complement a wide variety of vocal and instrument applications. One of the most valuable tools in that regard is a versatile microphone that can capably handle a wide range of sources. You can almost envision stocking your mic lockers with the Neumann U87s and AKG C414s of the world. MXL 440 can produce detailed and accurate reproduction of various vocals and instruments without adding much color. It weighs around 1.2 lbs. All You Need to Know, Ultimate Guide to the Best Thunderbolt Audio Interface, Tube Type: Pressure gradient condenser microphone, Equivalent Noise Level: 20 dB (A-weighted IEC 268-4), Signal to Noise Ratio: 80 dB (Ref. This is a great, simple mic for recording vocals, both male and female, doing voiceover work, and podcasts. The capsule is the business end of the microphone and it contains the components that actually capture sound. One of the … The mic is very inexpensively made, as one might assume given its street price. The frequency response of MXL 990 is relatively more flat and stable than MXL 440, except for the presence bump in the high-end starting from 6kHz. The MXL 990 Blizzard Edition came packaged in a padded cardboard box. $('.ptp-cta').matchHeight(false); If you’re like most people with an interest in audio, you probably daydream about fitting out a plush studio furnished with the latest and greatest gear. For many of us, part of producing great audio is the challenge of finding gear that will do the job without breaking the bank. On this post, you are about to find out the differences between both best high selling models from MXL. - Multipurpose large-diaphragm microphone, - Great for vocals and a wide range of instruments, - FET preamp with balanced output and low noise, - Excellent sound for all studio applications, - 3/4" gold-sputtered diaphragm Attractive vintage body style with champagne finish 30Hz-20kHz frequency response 130dB maximum SPL Sensitivity, - The first high quality condenser microphone to come into reach of working musicians, - the MXL 990 has a FET preamp and a large diaphragm for truly professional sound quality in both digital and analog recordings, - This revolutionary condenser microphone continues to astound artists with its silky, The design and dimensions of each microphone, What accessories that are included with each mic, Which MXL microphone that is generally more recommended. This can be an issue for beginner musicians who don’t own a decent audio interface yet, but most studios should already have one to begin with. Large-diaphragm mics are often preferred because they are able to capture more acoustic energy than their smaller counterparts, and they tend to have minimal noise. After reading this article, you will understand better about: MXL 440 is an inexpensive large-diaphragm microphone designed to fulfill the needs of small recording studios and home users. It is armed with a FET pre-amp that is not quite too different from the one found in MXL 440, and a large diaphragm for professional sound suitable for analog as well as digital recording. This article will provide an honest, unbiased, in-depth review of the MXL 990 and MXL 990 Blizzard Edition. However, a careful observation of how they sound will reveal some notable differences. They use XLR cables. In fact, the microphone is similar in many ways. The sound is crisp and rich. Beauty, to adopt a phrase, is in the ear of the beholder. On a practical level, the C01 delivers a slightly brighter and airier tone than the MXL 990. The 440 studio … It employs a similarly sized diaphragm and frequency response of 40 hertz to 18 kilohertz is only slightly narrower than the 990’s. Previous condenser microphones with good quality were very expensive; MXL 990 was the first quality condenser mic sold at an affordable price point for working musicians. However, this is not a big problem for MXL 440 because the microphone is rather cheap. Anatomy of a Quality Condenser Microphone, MXL Review: What’s In The Box (Blizzard Edition), What is a Monitor Speaker? MXL 440 shares many technical specs with MXL 990. Probably the most direct competition for the 990, the Samson C01 is another solid choice in the budget category. It also comes with a shock mount and a hard carrying case, both of which are quite useful and valuable. THIS CONTENT IS PROVIDED “AS IS” AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE OR REMOVAL AT ANY TIME. It has a similar vintage finish, and is both durable and very stable. The Samson doesn’t perform quite as well in the low range and it also tends to generate slightly more self-noise than the MXL 990. This enables the mic to deliver accurate tonal quality with minimal noise for professional recordings. MXL 990 measures 2.36 inches wide and 5.11 inches tall. MXL 990 is also great for drum overheads. Full Disclosure: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Meanwhile, the mid-range is quite stable, and the treble has a bump starting from 6kHz. By SMX_Dizzy in forum Microphones Replies: 7 Last Post: 08-13-2006, 23:42. behringer b-1 or mxl 990. Synaptic Sound » Reviews & Buying Guides » In-Depth Review: MXL 990 Condenser Microphone. If you’re looking for a simple, budget-friendly vocal condenser mic at a great price, read on. It certainly looks elegant, though some will say that it still doesn’t look as classy as MXL 990. $('.ptp-price').matchHeight(false); MXL 990 Blizzard Edition painted matte black. If you are looking for an affordable yet reliable condenser microphone, MXL 440 vs 990 are two popular options that you should consider. }); The sensitivity is rated at 15mV/Pa, which means that the mic is able to capture fine details quite well and show you the hotspots in your mix. Both MXL mics are very efficient at eliminating background noises not produced by the sound source. The mic has good balance throughout the spectrum when micing acoustic guitar and grand piano. Appearance-wise, MXL 990 is a very attractive microphone. By azrider in forum Microphones Replies: 8 Last Post: 09-11-2005, 14:09. The LEDs are not overly bright and play off the wire mesh nicely, creating the icy look from which the name came from. Nonetheless, it’s suitably well-engineered and it’s capable of producing a clean and responsive sound. The mic adds relatively little of its own color and features a fairly tame proximity response compared to some of its competitors. Still, there are a few things most quality microphones have in common regardless of the price tag attached to them. MXL 440 has a fixed cardioid polar pattern. Buying through any of the links below will earn me a small commission at no extra charge to you. You can almost envision stocking your mic lockers with the Neumann U87s and AKG C414s of the world. Ultimately, the MXL 990 is everything you’d expect an entry-level condenser microphone to be. The back-electret design features a comparably sized diaphragm and a full bandwidth that runs from 20 hertz to 20 kilohertz. CERTAIN CONTENT THAT APPEARS IN THIS SITE COMES FROM AMAZON SERVICES LLC. Between these two mics, MXL 990 is generally better and more recommended. The build quality is excellent thanks to a cast metal design and a durable wire mesh cover over the capsule. Large-diaphragm condenser microphones have a diaphragm of one inch or larger in diameter. It is not as robust as most other MXL mics, including the 990. The AT2020 is also more costly than the other options, particularly when it comes to the USB-powered AT2020USB+. Its stubby profile, generic finish and low price tag make it easy to dismiss, but the 990 is a respectable option for a budget-friendly setup. Because of that, MXL 440 is best for vocals and strings, whose sounds mostly reside in the mid-range frequencies. They essentially provide a bigger surface area for incoming sound waves, producing greater sensitivity and a higher signal voltage. Mics, mics, and more mics! These are powered off the 48V phantom power that’s most likely supplied by your audio interface. See also : MXL 770 Vs AT2020. }); jQuery(document).ready(function($) { That’s especially true when you consider that it’s available in so many different configurations. They even have a similar self-noise rating, which is 20dBA. In general, XLR connection is superior to USB in terms of sound quality, but beginners who want an easy start will probably prefer the plug-and-play simplicity of USB mics. MXL 990 is a rather simple mic, as it does not have any on-board switch or attenuation pad. The problem with leaded components is that they are more difficult to fix and replace when they fail. Fingerstyle plays and arpeggios are captured very nicely. Synaptic Sound was founded in April 2018 as an educational and informational resource for electronic music producers, DJs, and enthusiasts. $('.ptp-button').matchHeight(false); Large-diaphragm mics are often preferred because they are able to capture more acoustic energy than their smaller counterparts, and they tend to have minimal noise. The MXL 990 remains one of the industry's most ground-breaking microphones. MXL 2001 vs. MXL 990 for vocals/amps. Also, while the company has started to use surface-mount circuit boards for the latest products, some MXL 440 microphones apparently still use an older V57 circuit board with leaded components. This characteristic is especially noticeable for sounds under 50 Hz. They are both very sensitive with a sensitivity level of 15mV/Pa and can pick up even the tiniest of sounds. MXL microphones are guaranteed against defects in material and … Read also: MXL 440 vs AT2020. It sports a vintage design with a matte champagne finish. You probably can just buy a new mic when the current one has stopped working. MXL 440, in particular, claims to be able to capture the richness and detail of human vocals, strings, as well as percussion instruments. The USB version records sound in 16-bit/48kHz. That’s it, thanks for reading. In fact, you will probably feel confident to use this mic for a high-profile client. Whether this is a good or bad thing, of course, will depend on your application. It can definitely work for drums, but a slight EQ adjustment to increase the low frequencies will be needed. We have mentioned about the MXL FET pre-amp before, which is known for having excellent consistency, and the large diaphragm which is placed inside a quality capsule. It has better frequency response which will allow you to handle vocals and instruments with more ease. If you’d prefer a USB form factor, you can also check out the upcoming Samson C01U Pro. The frequency response of MXL 990 is relatively more flat and stable than MXL 440, except for the presence bump in the high-end starting from 6kHz. Inside the mic, you will find a FET pre-amp that provides a balanced output. As expected from a condenser microphone, MXL 440 vs 990 both require 48V phantom power. This microphone will look nice in any studio. The MXL 440 is an inexpensive FET condenser with a fixed Cardioid polar pattern. MXL 990 Review. As one of the best Condenser Microphone brand on the market, MXL features several models with different characteristics. MXL 440 tends to reduce the presence of low frequencies. Just like its sibling MXL 440, MXL 990 is versatile enough to handle various vocals and musical instruments – but it handles them better. However, the weight is similar to that of MXL 990, which is about 1.2 lbs. Your email address will not be published. The Audio-Technica AT2020 is often one of the first microphones mentioned when it comes to affordable entry-level gear. This is always a good thing. The size of the diaphragm is also important. Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. The capsule itself is composed of a solid metal backplate and a thin diaphragm made from conductive material. The cardioid polar pattern is suitable for recording sound that is coming from a single direction, and is the most commonly used for studio recording. After all, there is a good reason behind these microphones’ popularity. If you’re a hobbyist operating on a budget or looking for a simple, no-frills microphone that can handle a variety of work, however, the MXL 990 is a capable and highly affordable option. This makes larger diaphragms better at picking up quiet audio and subtle detail without adding unwanted noise. In terms of appearance, MXL 440 is quite radically different than MXL 990. Other extras that you will get right out of the box, in addition to the carrying case, are the stand adapter and the shock mount.