MXL Mics - Which models are good?

[rodreb]

"Stupid Deal Of The Day" today @ Musicians Friend is MXL V63M for $49.95. I assume this is not a particularly good sounding mic since I never seem to hear anyone talking about it?

[Michael_Joly]

The V63 uses a standard, peaked high frequency response K67-type capsule inside a three-layer headbasket. The capsule feeds a flat-response Schoeps transformerless circuit. So its topology is incorrect (missing HF de-emphasis - see Stephen Paul's article for the details). In its stock form the V63 sounds simultaneously "edgy" (because the ceramic and electrolytic signal path capacitors mess with the boosted HF of the capsule) and "veiled" (because the three layer headbasket introduces standing wave coloration). But it is certainly worth $50 because of its upside potential.

[Chris Lago]

Originally Posted by rodreb

"Stupid Deal Of The Day" today @ Musicians Friend is MXL V63M for $49.95. I assume this is not a particularly good sounding mic since I never seem to hear anyone talking about it?

That's such a funny studio name. Who is your imaginary friend?

[rodreb]

Iam every local musician's Imaginary Friend!!
Actually, my Son came up with the name and I just kinda liked the "mystery" of it! HA HA!!

[Chris Lago]

That's funny, well it's very original.

[Chris Lago]

The MXL 603 are definitely a great choice for toms, and Michael Joly mods them I think, which makes them compete with the Neumann SDC mics.

[metalfan8806]

V67 all the way.

[Michael_Joly]

The MXL V63 is $69.99 today at MF. Probably the least expensive LDC that is usable stock and worth upgrading. Standard K67-type capsule driving the Schoeps-type transformerless circuit.

[rodreb]

Michael,

The mic on sale today is actually the V63M and the website lists the V69 as an LDC tube mic

[Michael_Joly]

oops, my bad. I corrected my typo above. thanks!

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

The MXL V63 is $69.99 today at MF. Probably the least expensive LDC that is usable stock and worth upgrading. Standard K67-type capsule driving the Schoeps-type transformerless circuit.

Hey there Mr. up early! Is the V63M basically the same as the MCA SP1 with the k67 capsule instead of the smaller capsule from the 603?

[Michael_Joly]

Yep. Though I can't remember which mic has three grille layers and which has two..or if they both have three.

[memphisindie]

I'm so tempted and so broke. Ha ha.

[vonrichter]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

The MXL V63 is $69.99 today at MF. Probably the least expensive LDC that is usable stock and worth upgrading. Standard K67-type capsule driving the Schoeps-type transformerless circuit.

Any comparison recordings available between the stock and modded MXL V63M?

[nightspirit]

has any body something to say about the mxl 2006? I`m considering trading it for a sm57....

[Michael_Joly]

The MXL 2006 is an exceptionally bright and thin-sounding mic (graph below). A trade for an SM57 would be a smart move toward a more versatile and better sounding mic.

re: V63 - I haven't had a chance to post before / after mod clips for that model.

[nightspirit]

thanks

[kidvybes]

...MXL V77 tube mic...MXL's best!

http://www.gearslutz.com/board/gears...phone-nib.html

[MadGuitrst]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

Yep. Though I can't remember which mic has three grille layers and which has two..or if they both have three.

The V63M has three layers....not sure about the other.

[rty5150]

just did a inner mesh removal across the board on all my mxl mics.
v67
v67i
2x v69

swapped a tube in a v69 to a EH 12at7 and swapped grills around on my black v67 to a gold one from the v69. looks killer, sounds killer.

i totally recommend removing the mesh and having a pair of v69's with different tubes around. the subtleties make them worth it!

[Poorbutrich]

Originally Posted by rty5150

swapped a tube in a v69 to a EH 12at7 and swapped grills around on my black v67 to a gold one from the v69. looks killer, sounds killer.

Sounds great man! Any pics of all that eye candy? Also, how hard was it removing the inner layer mesh?

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by Poorbutrich

Sounds great man! Any pics of all that eye candy? Also, how hard was it removing the inner layer mesh?

no pics, yet. it was pretty easy. just a pair of needle nose pliers, some small diagonal cutters, and a small flat head technician's screwdriver to get the mesh started.
a few issues came up, though. the v67 black grill has a gold ring between the body and grill that is unused when going to the v69. the body tube of the v67's are fatter than the v69 by a hair. the gold ring can't be used on the v67 either as it spaced the bottom retainer too far away from the threads.
otherwise, cool as sheeeeet!!!!

[memphisindie]

Originally Posted by rty5150

just did a inner mesh removal across the board on all my mxl mics.
v67
v67i
2x v69

swapped a tube in a v69 to a EH 12at7 and swapped grills around on my black v67 to a gold one from the v69. looks killer, sounds killer.

i totally recommend removing the mesh and having a pair of v69's with different tubes around. the subtleties make them worth it!

yer gonna have to show up and compare.........

try some 100% silicone calk to snug it up.

[rty5150]

Originally Posted by memphisindie

yer gonna have to show up and compare.........

try some 100% silicone calk to snug it up.

it's totally snug on the v67, you just have to omit the gold ring. also, the guide groove on the v69 head is too far recessed for the v67 black so you have to eyeball it to center the body tube with the head grill. ends up looking like a v69 junior.
the v69 all black looks like a ma-201 long body. btw, the black head is not as tall as the gold. just about 1/8-3/16" less. really low profile.

all are cold pimping.

[Vintageblue02]

Originally Posted by rodreb

Thanks for the replies so far.

Anyone know anything about the V63m?

Or any of their stereo mics? Or any of the $99 or under MXL's, really?

MXL 990
-Great Kick drum sound when used on the front head
MXL V67g
-Great Kick drum sound when used on the front head, also good as OH
-Great on vocals (male/female) cheapest "tube" emulating mic I've seen
-Great on acoustic guitar either mono or as a bridge/body mic
MXL R44/R144
-Amazing as a room mic: drums, piano, strings, guitar, etc.
-Also fares well on acoustic instruments, and vocals

[rodreb]

I recently picked up 2 V67G's that are doing a great job on overheads. Which cheaper MXLs would you all suggest to fill out the rest of the drum kit chores? Toms, kick and snare.

[JDM]

Originally Posted by Michael_Joly

To the original poster's question here's what I like and what I don't...

The Good -

MXL 603 - pretty good stock, sounds like the KM 184's twin once modified.

MXL 2001 - Decent enough capsule for Dave Royer to use this mic for his "Barstow / Berlin" article. Cheap Chinese transformer degrades performance (assorted spitty distortion) but does provide an after-market upgrade path.

MXL V63 - Has a 6 micron capsule and is not as zingy as most Chinese LDCs. Transformerless. Headbasket and signal path mods clean this up. Remains a bit bright and lightweight even when mod'd.

MXL 2003 - Very flat response capsule, quite unusual for a Chinese LDC. Transformerless so it needs the usual capsule-to-FET capacitor upgrade and a few other signal path tweaks. A very clean and balanced FET / transformerless sound is possible with this mic.

MXL V67g - The real winner - nearly flat response capsule, transformer output. Combined with some signal path tweaks this a very nice mic with good body and transformer-coupled "heft".

The Bad -

MXL V69 - spitty, spike-in-the-head HF peak with stock capsule and electronics. Just not cost effective to solve all its problems.

For other LDC cheapies I like the Nady SCM 900 because its only $60. Has a poor capsule and transformer, but makes a cheap platform for a complete capsule / circuit / transformer overall.

I just bought the V67g, V63, a pair of the 603's, Nady RSM-4, and Apex 205 due to you and Harvey's repuatations alone. I got all of these on the cheap, so you can expect some mods coming your way. I will probably start with the 205 and V67g. I will already be sending you my V69me Friday. I am very excited to hear that mic after the mod. I don't hate it as is, but it definitely has a sizzle that grows irritating. I also noticed a spitty "break up" sound whilst doing high harmony parts.

[Michael_Joly]

Originally Posted by JDM

I just bought the V67g, V63, a pair of the 603's, Nady RSM-4, and Apex 205 due to you and Harvey's repuatations alone. I got all of these on the cheap, so you can expect some mods coming your way. I will probably start with the 205 and V67g. I will already be sending you my V69me Friday. I am very excited to hear that mic after the mod. I don't hate it as is, but it definitely has a sizzle that grows irritating. I also noticed a spitty "break up" sound whilst doing high harmony parts.

Thanks for the vote of confidence! There is a modified V69 down at Clinton Recording in NYC being revieved by Michael Vecchio for The Deli magazine. Clinton Recording, the last "big room" studio on the East Coast has an amazing mic locker and Michael is really liking the modified V69.

[Stylophone-D]

Hi folks!

Ok, here's a scenerio -

Current stable of mics consist of a dual-element stereo mic from Radio Shack, and an SM58, which heretofore has handled all vocal recording duty.

Other relevant detail - school tax is due; monstah, as usual.

I've been offered a used v67i for $100. Good deal for an incremental upgrade?

[memphisindie]

Nab it now.