Condenser microphone troubles - heavily distorted.

  • Thread starter Thread starter cathrinastor
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cathrinastor

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First off, hello, I'm new around these parts. Hope you're a friendly bunch.

I partake in a lot of home recording with my band. We have been using an MXL 990 condenser microphone for around two years now, and we're having a couple of problems with it at the moment. Wondered if anyone had any suggestions with what could be wrong with it.

We tried recording vocals, but found the gain to be through through the roof, even when turned right down on our interface. Everything was heavily distorted.

If stood around two metres away, the recording level sounds normal, but there is some interferance. Obviously this solution isn't exactly practical though.

It occurred to us that recently the microphone came into contact with a bit of water when a drink was spilt near to it. I'm guessing this could have done the damage.

The question here is really - what's wrong with our microphone? Is it worth getting it repaired, or should we just replace it.

Any ideas and help would be very much appreciated
:)
 
If it was damaged by water, I would just replace it.
I'm trying to figure out why water damage would cause a increase in output levels.

Does the interface (what model ?) work fine with other mics ?
 
We use a Fast Track Pro, and whilst we haven't tried it with other microphones, it worked as normal when we DI'd a keyboard and a bass through it.

The only other thing that we have considered is that it could be our XLR cable, but I'm not sure that would have an effect on the levels?
 
cathrinastor said:
We use a Fast Track Pro, and whilst we haven't tried it with other microphones, it worked as normal when we DI'd a keyboard and a bass through it.

The only other thing that we have considered is that it could be our XLR cable, but I'm not sure that would have an effect on the levels?
Click to expand...

I wouldn't think a xlr cable would cause those problems. I would at least verify it is the mic by testing another mic with your interface.
 
If it came into contact with water, that could certainly cause problems.

I'd recommend not plugging it in for now, if you think it may still be wet or damp.

As mentioned, plug another condenser mic into your interface just to rule it out.


Also, it's very easy to remove the headbasket and body casing on an mxl990, so if you felt keen you could remove these to inspect the diaphragm and components.

If it's wet, put it somewhere warm and dry but not hot, like maybe an airing cupboard? IDK, i'm just guessing here.

Definitely wouldn't go extreme though, like on a radiator, or using a hairdryer or anything like that.
 
Steenamaroo said:
If it's wet, put it somewhere warm and dry but not hot, like maybe an airing cupboard? IDK, i'm just guessing here.

Definitely wouldn't go extreme though, like on a radiator, or using a hairdryer or anything like that.
Click to expand...

Right next to a de-humidifier works great as well! My friend fell into a lake with his cell phone one time...put it by the de-hu over night and it was as good as new! :)
 
guitaristic said:
Right next to a de-humidifier works great as well! My friend fell into a lake with his cell phone one time...put it by the de-hu over night and it was as good as new! :)
Click to expand...

Great stuff! Good to have real life advice.
 
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