MXL Mics - Which models are good?

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by DamnYankee

That's surprising. I own a fair collection of mics from EV RE-xx to Neumanns, and I found the V-67G a terrific vocal mic. I actually bought a second V-67G and they are the only asian mics I own.

I'm just saying, when I bought it, I didn't like it, maybe it's just in context with how I work, but, that's what was so in my world.
I modded it to make it do what I wanted, what I thought were it's shortcomings needed to be addressed if I was going to use it.
It is now in use and sounding great.
I'd put it up against any mic now. I tried to maintain what "I perceive" as what they were shooting for in it's design and I think it works better, it sounds more "stable" and definitely lower noise, forward but tighter mids and clear extended top without that unstable feeling up there.

[Sparkle]

Hello everybody, my name is André, I live in Luxembourg and I am a new member to this forum. I want to know if someone could give me advice on MXL microphones. First of all, I have no experience with MXL this brand is difficult to get here, at least they are not at stock in any music shop.

So, I am interested in buying a microphone that´s good for voice and e guitars, especially for distorted guitars.

Mainly I use for vocals an AKG Solid Tube or a Neumann TLM 103

and for e-guitars an AKG 414 ( i want something with a deeper sound )

I am interested in : Mxl Genesis or V67i Tube or Gold 35

Is there someone who can recommend one of these MXL ... which could be a good addition to the mics i use.

Thanx for any suugestions

André

[Corran]

Sounds like you already have mics a lot better than MXL. Probably best to stay away frankly, except maybe a pair of 603 mics for acoustic guitar if you like their sound as some people do. I don't personally.

[Trillion]

Originally Posted by Sparkle

I use for vocals an AKG Solid Tube or a Neumann TLM 103

and for e-guitars an AKG 414

Why purchase a MXL microphone when you have two microphones that are better than any MXL?

[BudgetMC]

OK... let's get down to brass tacks here. MXL isn't the finest mic manufacturer in the world. In fact, they're the GM of mic manufacturers... lots of models with similar parts with different bodies and different names. BUT, even GM has produced some great models over time, and so has MXL. IMHO, for example, the MXL 960 is like a '69 Camaro. Bang for the buck, even if it is parts shelf engineering. The trick is to avoid the Cavaliers and find the Chevy X-10's.

Same metaphor works with Ford. Dodge the Tempo's, find the '89 Mustang LX with the 5.0 option. Snub 'em because they're American (or in the case of MXL, Chinese) and you'll miss out.

Dig?

Originally Posted by Trillion

Why purchase a MXL microphone when you have two microphones that are better than any MXL?

[memphisindie]

MXL Exists because Neuman doesn't make mics for people starting out on a budget.

Yeah, it's best to start out without a budget and buy only the very best, but then, recording would be left to those born with a silver spoon and sometimes no ability.

[Trillion]

Originally Posted by BudgetMC

OK... let's get down to brass tacks here. MXL isn't the finest mic manufacturer in the world. In fact, they're the GM of mic manufacturers... lots of models with similar parts with different bodies and different names. BUT, even GM has produced some great models over time, and so has MXL. IMHO, for example, the MXL 960 is like a '69 Camaro. Bang for the buck, even if it is parts shelf engineering. The trick is to avoid the Cavaliers and find the Chevy X-10's.

Same metaphor works with Ford. Dodge the Tempo's, find the '89 Mustang LX with the 5.0 option. Snub 'em because they're American (or in the case of MXL, Chinese) and you'll miss out.

Dig?

I didn't need the metaphor you could've answered the question without them. I wasn't being smart or trying to clown I asked a simple question. Your answer could have convinced me to make a purchase for similar reasons.

Originally Posted by memphisindie

MXL Exists because Neuman doesn't make mics for people starting out on a budget.

Yeah, it's best to start out without a budget and buy only the very best, but then, recording would be left to those born with a silver spoon and sometimes no ability.

True, My first budget could only afford a dynamic kick drum microphone. Now I have an AKG Perception 200.

[BudgetMC]

Sorry, man, wasn't trying to rag on you. I was replying more to the 'why bother with MXL at all' tone of many replies on this thread more that I was to you... probably shouldn't have quoted you in particular.

Originally Posted by Trillion

I wasn't being smart or trying to clown I asked a simple question. Your answer could have convinced me to make a purchase for similar reasons.

[gearaddict]

Soory to go off topic but...can someone please tell me where I can get my V67-g moded? and if it is worth it!!! Thanks

[gearaddict]

Scratch that...I found the placethumbsup

[Trillion]

Originally Posted by BudgetMC

Sorry, man, wasn't trying to rag on you. I was replying more to the 'why bother with MXL at all' tone of many replies on this thread more that I was to you... probably shouldn't have quoted you in particular.

It's coo

[DivineMusic]

so far the mxl genesis is holding its own vs my 414 and peluso 251.
some artist i prefer the genesis. using a focusrite isa430mkII or ua6176...
$600 or not... the genesis is a great mic.

[Harvey Gerst]

The MXL Genesis is now one of our main goto mics, along with the SP T3 and the Shure SM7.

[Sparkle]

Originally Posted by Harvey Gerst

The MXL Genesis is now one of our main goto mics, along with the SP T3 and the Shure SM7.

So...does the genesis has the same class as an AKG Solid Tube ?

I am looking for a mic thats good 4 Vocals and e-guitars....

Or would the V67i Tube would be the better choice ? or even the Gold 35 ?

I have a Solid Tube, Neumann TLM 103nand AKG C 414 but i want something different but equivalent in quality !

[toxostoma rufum]

Any word on the v87? A low-noise "character" MXL with a transformer output for under $300 sounds good to me.

[Michael_Joly]

Had a chance to investigate ten different MXL 603 capsules from various production runs today. There were two parameters I was interested in documenting and comparing - capsule capacitance and diaphragm resonance.

The first parameter - capsule capacitance, affects sensitivity and output level of the capsule. The second - diaphragm resonance, affects high frequency response tuning.

I found capsule capacitance varied over a 50% range at the extremes with most capsules being within 25% of each other's capacitance measurement. In one particular case I found a capsule that was 100% lower in capacitance value than nominal and its output level was down at least 6db. By working with the number of diaphragm-to-backplate spacers and adjusting retaining ring torque I was able to tune all ten capsules very close to an ideal nominal value. It appears stock capsules could have a couple of dB level variation between them but can be corrected to less than 0.5dB with tuning.

As for diaphragm resonance - I was actually surprised to find the stock diaphragms where quite close to each other - within 12% of a nominal resonant frequency. This is good because the diaphragms are permanently attached to their mounting rings and cannot be re-tensioned. It appears whatever mechanized assembly process is used for diaphragm tensioning is fairly accurate and yields consistent results in this parameter.

In summary, I was impressed that the MXL 603 capsules do seem to fall within acceptable amplitude sensitivity and resonant frequency tuning ranges. And in the case of amplitude sensitivity can be brought to within 0.5dB of each other by tuning diaphragm-to-backplate spacing and retainer torque.

[Sparkle]

Does anyone knows when the new MXL R77 ribbon will be available ?

[craven]

MXL Gold 35

what about this one?

[BOWIE]

Originally Posted by BudgetMC

OK... let's get down to brass tacks here. MXL isn't the finest mic manufacturer in the world. In fact, they're the GM of mic manufacturers... lots of models with similar parts with different bodies and different names. BUT, even GM has produced some great models over time, and so has MXL. IMHO, for example, the MXL 960 is like a '69 Camaro. Bang for the buck, even if it is parts shelf engineering. The trick is to avoid the Cavaliers and find the Chevy X-10's.

Same metaphor works with Ford. Dodge the Tempo's, find the '89 Mustang LX with the 5.0 option. Snub 'em because they're American (or in the case of MXL, Chinese) and you'll miss out.

Dig?

Classic!

[Michael_Joly]

Originally Posted by craven

MXL Gold 35

what about this one?

Haven't heard it yet, but you gotta love the single layer headbasket MXL has adopted for it. Here are some others:

Left to right - OktavaMod MK-319 Floating Dome, AKG C12, Manley Gold and MXL Gold 35

[Tomer1]

MXL Gold 35

Nice... an MXL LDC without a massive presence boost,
more of a mellow upper mid boost
Anyone tried this one yet?

[mshayden]

Originally Posted by MichaelMackie

To the latter: All of them.

My feeling is that MXL mics are okay on their own, but a good preamp will make them sound great...

Just sayin'.

Matt

[mshayden]

Originally Posted by Sparkle

Does anyone knows when the new MXL R77 ribbon will be available ?

June 22. =)

[Michael_Joly]

The Cascade C77 and MXL R77 are essentially the same mic. But does anyone know if the R77 uses a stock Chinese transformer or a Lundahl upgrade? The R77 specs don't mention anything about the transformer.

[mshayden]

hmmm... good thought, it might be better to just go with the cascade. Though I never used one of their mics, how is the quality (sound and build)?

Matt

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by mshayden

hmmm... good thought, it might be better to just go with the cascade. Though I never used one of their mics, how is the quality (sound and build)?

Matt

i have a small handful of each and prefer the cascade quality over the mxl, but for me it's apples to oranges as all my mxl mics are LDC's and my cascades are ribbons. the metal work on the cascade mics i have(fathead one...old style and new style) is heavier duty. the mxl mics i own seem a little on the thin side(v67 and v69). all sound incredible for the price, though. albeit for different applications/tones respectively.

rich

[mshayden]

Thanks! Just out of curiosity, what preamp would you recommend for use with ribbons? Cant seem to find one inexpensively with enough gain.

Matt

[memphisindie]

Does anybody know if the cheap chinese transformer that they may use is actually not bad?

Mike, Any news about a Joly edge polarized capsule?

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by mshayden

Thanks! Just out of curiosity, what preamp would you recommend for use with ribbons? Cant seem to find one inexpensively with enough gain.

Matt

budget?



rich

[mshayden]

$200-$400