MXL Mics - Which models are good?

[Chris Lago]

How about the V88? I like the modded 960 the best

[gear head]

V-12 if you can find one

[JPeters86]

Originally Posted by AllAboutTone

I have a couple laying around that I use as well, 990s are great through a high end pre. Something I use 991 on OHs.

I have a couple of 990s, bought once for not much money, love 'em through a nice pre (vd m73d for instance) when I run out of other mics.

[Michael_Joly]

Originally Posted by chrislago

How about the V88?...

The MXL V88 is a $200 FET / transformerless cardioid-only mic, fairly flat top end response with just a gentle, low-Q boost of 3dB centered at 8kHz. I don't see much value in this mic when you consider the older MXL 2003 FET / transformerless mic (very flat response Beijing 797 Audio 6u cardioid-only capsule) PLUS MXL 603s SDC package is available at Musician's Friend for $170

The Behringer B2 Pro for $149 also uses a Beijing 797 Audio 6u capsule with a broad 5dB peak centered at 12kHz, has switchable patterns and a transformerless output circuit that benefits from the usual tweaks.

Getting the older models like the B2, V67g and 2003 that are past their peak in the sales cycle and have been reduced in price is a good buying strategy.

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

The MXL V88 is a $200 FET / transformerless cardioid-only mic, fairly flat top end response with just a gentle, low-Q boost of 3dB centered at 8kHz. I don't see much value in this mic. But the older MXL 2003 FET / transformerless mic (very flat response Beijing 797 Audio 6u cardioid-only capsule) PLUS MXL 603s SDC package is available at Musician's Friend for $170

The Behringer B2 Pro for $149 also uses a Beijing 797 Audio 6u capsule with a broad 5dB peak centered at 12kHz, has switchable patterns and a transformerless output circuit that benefits from the usual tweaks.

Getting the older models like the B2, V67g and 2003 that are past their peak in the sales cycle and have been reduced in price is a good buying strategy.

I don't have to say why you're a genius, just want to say that you are one and should have a very long shelf life with your modifications. When are you going to get the "special paint jobs" going?

[Chris Lago]

Haha true! Someone is selling a V12 in the classified section for only 125 by the way.

[Slap Back]

MXL V6 has a very nice sound

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by Slap Back

MXL V6 has a very nice sound

I've heard some good things about it. I might rent it this weekend and try it out. Apparently the V12 is more beefier.

[Fieldstone]

Has anyone used the MXL V89, V87 or 3000?

Are these brand new models? I haven't seen/heard much about them.

[jtkohler3]

I use the MXL 990 and the 991 i love them both
they sound good on pretty much anything i put them on

[EasT]

If you're talking about vocals which is all i've used it for...the MXL 2001 imho SUCKS! 990 isn't too bad, bright sounding. V69 i've used for vocals and might be the best i've heard but can be a bit boxy and slushy in the s's, a good preamp and some mixing can take care of it that...raw it sounds like a decent demo to get the point across...mixed, you can make it work.

[jtkohler3]

Originally Posted by EasT

If you're talking about vocals which is all i've used it for...the MXL 2001 imho SUCKS! 990 isn't too bad, bright sounding. V69 i've used for vocals and might be the best i've heard but can be a bit boxy and slushy, a good preamp and some mixing can take care of it...raw it sounds like a decent demo to get the point across...mixed, you can make it work.

I put everything through a tascam m 312 console
I have used there Moble Recording Mic and it is a little bright
I Love my MXL mics

[drvenom]

I have the MXL V6 which is just wonderful on acoustic guitars. I don't like it much on vocals. Overall, it seems to do well on sources that are bright in nature. I also have an MXL v76t which is brighter than the V6, but the high end of the spectrum gets a bit grainy. Otherwise it is a nice mic. I also heard a lot of good things about MXL M3.

There are a lot of new MXL mics coming out that excite me.

MXL v76i tube
MXL V69XM
MXL V89
MXL 550

[Dav Iridium]

I really dig the V77 tube.

[MadGuitrst]

The M3 is my favorite of all of their mics.

I own, have owned, or used:

M3
V6
V63M
V69ME
V67g

[Michael_Joly]

Hey Mad, good to see you. Either I haven't been paying attention or you haven't been around much.

re: M3 - I haven't heard that one, but its published frequency response curve - a fairly flat, not peaked top end has me interested. How would you describe the similarities and difference between the V67g and M3 - both FET / transformer-coupled mics?

[drumzealot]

I bough a pair of 2001 about 8 years ago and used them extensively (at first because that was all I had). Got good results as OHs and ac guitar (steel strung). Especially ac guitar. The tracks sat well in the mix.
Hated them on vocals.
I've also had decent results with 993's on ac guitar, room mics, snare-side, hi hat, bass cabs (from about 5-10 feet away), and perc.

[Coyoteous]

- how about the Cube?

[MadGuitrst]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

Hey Mad, good to see you. Either I haven't been paying attention or you haven't been around much.

re: M3 - I haven't heard that one, but its published frequency response curve - a fairly flat, not peaked top end has me interested. How would you describe the similarities and difference between the V67g and M3 - both FET / transformer-coupled mics?

Hey Mike. They are definitely different.

Thoughts:
The M3 seems to be a wanna-be vintage mic. It does NOT have the misplaced high end spike of the V69ME (the one thing I really didn't like about that mic). It is just a hint Neumann-ish, in a good way. Just a bit of excitedness to it while being relatively even throughout the frequency range. It pokes through nicely. It responds well to being pushed IMO. Overall, it is just a good sounding mic, especially at the price point I paid ($100 ). It is a nice mate to the MK319 as it is a bit more aggressive, whereas the modded MK319 is smoother. In fact, for the home studio, I'd be perfectly content with only the M3, MK319, and a ribbon mic for MY vocals (right now, I like the Karma K6).

In comparison to the V67: The V67 is less present, has less dimension, but is rounder. Again, they would be good mates for each other.

Overall, the M3 is just missing that bit of depth that the better-est mics have, although it does have nice tonality and gets you pretty darned close, relatively speaking

FWIW, the headbasket mod made a significant difference in the M3 and a HUGE difference in the V63M, IMO (oh, and my V63M doesn't have the high end spike noted).

And FWIW, I picked up a used, in pristine shape Neumann TLM49 for a really good price. I know the opinions on the TLM49 can vary wildly, from hate to love (I like it), but I thought it would be a good comparison as they share a similar type of topology (surface mount, tube emulation circuits). While the Neumann had a bit more depth and was a little rounder, it sounded a tad nasally in comparison. I preferred the tonality and upfront nature of the M3 and, while I wanted that Neumann badge in front of me, sold the TLM49.

I wonder how much difference a better transformer would make to the M3.......hhhhmmm.......

[drvenom]

Man, I wanted to get an MXL v69 and an MXL 960 and change out there stock tubes, but now the M3 really has my attention. Maybe I'll just get the 960 and the M3.

[MadGuitrst]

Originally Posted by drvenom

Man, I wanted to get an MXL v69 and an MXL 960 and change out there stock tubes, but now the M3 really has my attention. Maybe I'll just get the 960 and the M3.

Wait! Before you do, think about what you want from your mics.

While MJ may not like the V69ME, many people do.
For a thick, toobey sound, the V69ME has it - the M3 does not.
The V6 has it too......maybe even thicker.

It's just that it has that high-end peak that I didn't like; however, many, if not most, people don't notice it. Maybe it's dependent on specific mics? Maybe that's why my M3 and V63M don't have it.......I dunno.

Still, I didn't sell it because of that.
I sold it because I got a couple of better mics and didn't think I needed it/would use it much.

Of course, I regressed when i came across a couple of deals I couldn't pass up:
M3 - $100
V6- $100
V63M - free
So, all three usable mics for $200.... =

If you do get the V69ME and change the tube, get a Mullard CV-4024.

Good luck on your choice.

[Michael_Joly]

Thanks for the detailed impressions MG - you've got good ears (that I trust) and a clear way of describing what you're hearing, very helpful. I think you were the first person to comment on the V69 HF spike.

[sweetmojo]

V67 still gets put up during shootouts. Has not won any, but it certainly does not suck and sometimes even beat mics that cost at least 3 times its price.

[memphisindie]

It's a shame you can't just rotate the capsules a few degrees (3-10) to one side and aim it up a few degrees to make the chamber a little less reactive on the surface of the capsule diaphragm.

[fiddler59]

I am curious to see how the new V69XM is going to sound.....anyone have a clue as to what this mic will street for ??

David B

[kidvybes]

Originally Posted by Dav Iridium

I really dig the V77 tube.

...IMHO the best mic of all the MXL models...a rare gem in a sea of "just misses"...

...just saw this one on the bay:
Marshall MXL V77 V77s Mic microphone kit V 77 - eBay (item 320334303501 end time Jan-28-09 08:12:00 PST)

[BudgetMC]

Yeah... been watchin' that one myself!

Originally Posted by kidvybes

...IMHO the best mic of all the MXL models...a rare gem in a sea of "just misses"...

...just saw this one on the bay:
Marshall MXL V77 V77s Mic microphone kit V 77 - eBay (item 320334303501 end time Jan-28-09 08:12:00 PST)

[drvenom]

Originally Posted by MadGuitrst

Wait! Before you do, think about what you want from your mics.

While MJ may not like the V69ME, many people do.
For a thick, toobey sound, the V69ME has it - the M3 does not.
The V6 has it too......maybe even thicker.

It's just that it has that high-end peak that I didn't like; however, many, if not most, people don't notice it. Maybe it's dependent on specific mics? Maybe that's why my M3 and V63M don't have it.......I dunno.

Still, I didn't sell it because of that.
I sold it because I got a couple of better mics and didn't think I needed it/would use it much.

Of course, I regressed when i came across a couple of deals I couldn't pass up:
M3 - $100
V6- $100
V63M - free
So, all three usable mics for $200.... =

If you do get the V69ME and change the tube, get a Mullard CV-4024.

Good luck on your choice.

My first mic was the MXL V69M. I remember not liking it because the high end sounded dull and grainy. Maybe I had a lemon. Then again, it was running through the preamps of an old Behringer mixer. I'll most likeky get them all, the m3, the 960, and the V69 (maybe I'll wait for the V69xm that is soon to come out).

[bawingi]

First of all, so there is no confusion, I work for MXL. Interesting that you recommend the CV4024 as a replacement in the V69, that is the tube we currently fit to our Genesis mic. I source them directly from a company in the UK with whom I have been doing business for many years. There are a lot of Mullard "copies" coming out of Russia which need to be avoided. They are Mullards only by the painting on the glass. The new V69XM will be available very soon indeed. The planned MAP price is $399.00.

Roy

[Michael_Joly]

Hi Roy, good to see someone representing MXL in this thread. I can only speak for myself of course, but I have a hunch GearSlutz members would welcome manufacturers wholeheartedly if they would be willing to give candid answers to forum members questions.

I note with interest the published frequency response curve of the V69XM does not have the same HF peak as the older V69ME. Was this reduction in HF peaking achieved in the capsule or in the circuitry that follows?