Marshall Electronics

[chaser1023]

I just ordered a condenser mic by Marshall Electronics (MXL990).
The price was irresitable, has anyone had any experience with this mic? I 'm doing dry vocals for radio spots, documentaries and some news pieces. Just curious about other's impressions.
I've also got an OKTAVA MK219. And aside from a few proximity issues with bottom end frequencies, the OKTAVA is impressive while used in conjunction with a Pop screen.

 

[DJL]

Well gee, I hate poping the bubble, but IMO the MXL990 sucks... I mean it looks cool and all, but for your needs I think you'd been better off using that money towards getting an SM7 or RE20, or something like that.

 

[Dot]

The 990 will work fine for VO work.

Dan Richards
The Listening Sessions
The Project Studio Handbook

 

[chaser1023]

Thanks for the input. And by the way, after several hours of reading copy and doing my VO thing. . . I'm very pleased with both mics. My favorite???........the 990. Tonight I'll install my COOL EDIT software and really have some fun. Thanks especially to Dan Richards. . . great sites!

 

[deharmonic]

I've got both the mk219 and mxl990. I've found the mxl990 good to capture the high frequencies of female vocals and acoustic instruments, like a mandolin.

The mk219 can be modified to decrease the internal reflections + improve the circuitry.

 

[Han]

Well gee, I hate poping the bubble, but IMO the MXL990 sucks... I mean it looks cool and all, but for your needs I think you'd been better off using that money towards getting an SM7 or RE20, or something like that.

Even if I had the same opinion, I would not have posted it, for it says more about the poster than about the microphone.

The guy is happy with his 990, don't spoil it.

Besides that, what do you know about mics?

 

[Gidge]

Even if I had the same opinion, I would not have posted it, for it says more about the poster than about the microphone.

The guy is happy with his 990, don't spoil it.

Besides that, what do you know about mics?

well, the guy did ask for opinions........

 

[chaser1023]

Hey ..... relax people - it's really not that big of a deal...LOL

But what I found interesting is the recommendation of putting the money towards an RE20???? If I'm not mistaken, that's nearly Five Hundred dollars...."Holy Fidelity Batman" das way too much!
My last VO assignment could pay for that but....I eat and I'm raising a family too! The starter mics have already paid for themselves

 

[billisa]

Hey ..... relax people - it's really not that big of a deal...LOL

But what I found interesting is the recommendation of putting the money towards an RE20???? If I'm not mistaken, that's nearly Five Hundred dollars...."Holy Fidelity Batman" das way too much!
My last VO assignment could pay for that but....I eat and I'm raising a family too! The starter mics have already paid for themselves

You may also want to look at the Studio Projects B1. Very nice for VO. Very little self-noise. $79. or $99. with a shock mount.

 

[chessrock]

I think if you're doing this professionally . . . as in getting paid for this stuff and it's commercial work, you should quite being a cheapskate and get a real voiceover mic. Not trying to bust your kahones or anything, but come on. If you're claiming this work, then can't it at least count on your tax deductions?

Hell, if you're short on funds, hop on ebay and grab a used one. Or see if you can score one of the RE-20's siblings -- the RE-15 or 16 . . . even the 666. All great, classic VO mics. I'm sure you could get a Shure SM-7 used for less than $300.

I wouldn't necessarily say this to someone who was a hobbyist, but you're getting paying gigs for this. You're a professional. Quite playing with these toys and pony up!

 

[darrin_h2000]

Mxl 2001 works good in this area...I can see the flames now.

 

[mixmkr]

I've used the 2001 on a lot of vocals and instruments.

no one in the mp3 clinic has ever mentioned that a track sounded like it was done with a shitty mic.

 

[Flatpicker]

I just ordered one of these. It’s a version of the MXL2003 that Marshall made for Mars Music. I guess MF bought the remaining stock when Mars went belly-up. Since the 2003 goes for $150 new and around $115 used, $79 is a good deal, especially with a shock mount. I like silver better than black, anyway. Of course I'll modify it a bit D), but some say it sounds good stock.

 

[Flatpicker]

...Quite playing with these toys and pony up!

Naw, it's not like his clients are going to listen and say "You know, the voice in this commercial doesn't have that sweet high-end and tight low-end like I wanted..."

I say why spend the money when you don't need to. They'll never know the difference. It's not like you're layering tracks and having to deal with a dense mix.

Now I, on the other hand, would probably take your advice, but I’m just kind of asinine like that.

 

[chessrock]

it's not like his clients are going to listen and say "You know, the voice in this commercial doesn't have that sweet high-end and tight low-end like I wanted..."

No, they won't. But someone might think: "Something about the spots Chaser sends us just doesn't sound quite right or as professional as I'd like, but I can't put my finger on just what it is."

 

[Han]

There are some risks when buying a used mic.

I have bought two D12's and it turned out that one of them had a significant less low end than the other one.

The problem was a dent in the membrane and it needed a new diaphragm, which isn't cheap.

I will never buy used mics again, unless I know where it comes from and who the former owner is.

If you have the $$$'s, buy a new one.

 

[DJL]

There are some risks when buying a used mic.

I have bought two D12's and it turned out that one of them had a significant less low end than the other one.

The problem was a dent in the membrane and it needed a new diaphragm, which isn't cheap.

I will never buy used mics again, unless I know where it comes from and who the former owner is.

If you have the $$$'s, buy a new one.

I buy used mics all the time with no problems. Oh, and thanks for the "lets bicker" type post to me above.

 

[chaser1023]

Hey I'm listening 'Chessrock', .... LOL....but I'm getting there. "Flatpicker" put it best, it's a process. I do write offs with my taxes but I'm still not Donald Trump.

I'll take your advice but in due time...The next couple of car dealer spots should line things up for me. And I'll quit being cheap and go out and buy some real mics. And then an ISDN line. And then I'll freakin lease some space downtown and open up a 3000 square foot recording facility and hire some chief engineers who'll take my money and buy RE20s, and sm7s, and Nuemans and Royers and all the bells and whistles. But tonight - it's me and my cheapies(MXL990 and OKTAVA219), working with my budget and cutting spots.

.

 

[billisa]

Hey I'm listening 'Chessrock', .... LOL....but I'm getting there. "Flatpicker" put it best, it's a process. I do write offs with my taxes but I'm still not Donald Trump.

I'll take your advice but in due time...The next couple of car dealer spots should line things up for me. And I'll quit being cheap and go out and buy some real mics. And then an ISDN line. And then I'll freakin lease some space downtown and open up a 3000 square foot recording facility and hire some chief engineers who'll take my money and buy RE20s, and sm7s, and Nuemans and Royers and all the bells and whistles. But tonight - it's me and my cheapies(MXL990 and OKTAVA219), working with my budget and cutting spots.

.

Mr. Chaser -- After being lucky enough to use various station's gear over the last 30 years, with varying results more related to other people's post production, I went out and got my own little set-up to do commercials at home. I can work when I want and spend as much time, or do as many takes as I need, without any real time constraints. And it's FUN!

In my own view (which is far from definitive), there are a number of budget line mics that can perform way beyond what their price tag would indicate. I'm sure that in a tightly controlled A/B test, a $500. or $1,000 mic would sound very nice next to a $79. one, but when I hear my voice broadcast on radio (especially AM), with all of it's compression and processing, I'm not at all sure the beauties of a Neumann would justify the additional cash. I can only assume my voice might sound subtally different, but better? Not always, and perhaps not ever.

For me, not with all mics, but with a lot of what's available out there, recording, mixing and vocal technique has more of a crucial impact on the final product than brand/price.

 

[Rev E]

Chaser,
I don't think anyone is suggesting that you spend $1000+ and buy a Neumann for VO. What a few of the guys were suggesting (albeit in somewhat brash and potentially offensive tones) was that there are a few mics that the world over agrees are built for VO work. These mics carry the sound and signature of VO. Surprisingly, they are not THAT expensive in relative terms. So you would be much further down the line to buy an SM7, an RE20/27 or a Sennheiser MD421 rather than a budget condenser.

Ultimately it's your money, and you did say that you'll probably eventually buy one of these mics. It is my view (and this is a shared view) that your sound would be better off with you stretching a bit to get a bit more quality than quantity. FYI, you can get either the MD 421 (my fav of this group) or an SM7 brand new for $299. Check www.musiciansfriend.com or most any internet dealer.