Marshall MXL

[davidlim88]

want to tap the experience of all you veterans out there:

can anyone give me some opinions/reviews on the Marshall MXL range of mics. I am looking at the MXL 2003 and the MXL v69 or v77. How are these compared to the Rode NT1000 and NTK.

btw, my budget is in the $300 range.

thks - David

 

[Tom Hicks]

I have the Rode NT1 and the MXL V67B.
I would describe the NT1 as having a bright top end and the V67 as having more lower mid emphasis.Both good values for the bucks.

 

[battleminnow]

I too have owned both the NT1 and the V67G. The V67, while a stellar sounding mic, couldn't handle the forcefull way I sing, so was uncomplimentary for me. On softer tenors that I tried, it was outstanding. I have heard others complain about this same thing. The NT1 was a great mic for me. It was a little sibilant, pumped highs, and you had to work a litle harder to get a good sound than you did with the V67, but not a bad starting point.

Pete

 

[chessrock]

The NT1000, to me, is just very noticeably a better-sounding mic than the mxl2003. I've never worked with either the v69 or v77, so I can't comment on their tube models.

 

[Richard Monroe]

It's a good line of affordable mics, but I don't think any of them is in the same league as NTK, which is a general step up.-Richie

 

[DJL]

want to tap the experience of all you veterans out there:

can anyone give me some opinions/reviews on the Marshall MXL range of mics. I am looking at the MXL 2003 and the MXL v69 or v77. How are these compared to the Rode NT1000 and NTK.

btw, my budget is in the $300 range.

thks - David

Here is what Harvey Gerst said to me on this forum a while back about the Marshall MXL mic's when I was asking him about them.

(The following is out of context, of course.)

Harvey said,

"To the Marshall list, I would put them in this order:

MXL V69
MXL 603
MXL V67
MXL 990
MXL 1006
MXL V77
MXL 2003

While I like the V77 and 2003, I'll prbably start using those less often although I may retire the 1006 in favor of the 2003, but I'll hafta listen to them both side by side first. I'm looking forward to listening to my V67Gs again as soon as they get here. <snip>"

Note: Harvey loned his Marshall MXL V67G's to a friend to look at.

I hope this helps you.

 

[SteveE9C6]

I posted my review of the MXL V69ME here several days ago. I have the V69, V67G, V63 and 603s. I think they are a phenomenal value. The V69 in particular is a just unbelievable mic. I don't mean "for the money"... I mean unbelievable period. I know that that some folks just flat don't think a Chinese mic can compare with the big boys, but I would stack the V69ME up against anything. Here is my review and also a link to several other reviews.

Mxl V69me
I received two mics from UPS on Friday. One of them was the MXLV69ME large condensor tube mic. I used the mic for an 8 hour session on Saturday.

The mic comes in an aluminum flight case with foam form fitted molding inside. The mic comes with the required power supply, cables, windscreen, and suspension shock mount. There is a significant "wow factor" when you open the case. The mic is finished in a black case with a gold screen. It is heavy in your hand and looks and feels well built. I put the mic up on a studio overhead and plugged her in. I let the mic and the preamp equilibrate for about ten minutes.
The artist arrived and put on head phones. He tried a scratch vocal and stopped after about 20 seconds.... "Wow!, what a great mic". He was impressed as was I. The signal chain was mic-Langevin DVC mic pre-Lexicon MPX1- HD24. We used this mic over the entire 8 hour session for all vocals, and fiddle tracks. The difference between the vocal tracks previously recorded sans Langevin and V69ME were so dramatic that we redid all prior vocals on the project. The sound of this mic is warm, large, and lush. It has a very slight upper end rise that is very nice. The mic required no eq to sound absolutely perfect. I had read two reviews of this mic and was hopeful it would live up to it's billing. This is a serious mic that provides a huge return on your investment. The vocal tracks we recorded would stand up with any vocal recording I have ever heard. It is that good. Of course, the Langevin DVC mic pre helps!

MXL Mic Info

 

[chessrock]

I posted my review of the MXL V69ME here several days ago.

So . . . like what magazine(s) / publications are you reviewing for, Steve? I'm not doubting your credentials, I'm just curious. Is SteveE9C6 a surname for Scott Dorsey?

 

[SteveE9C6]

Nah... I was just reviewing it for general interest. My name is Steve Stallings. I'm 51 y/o and own a small project studio which is doing some tracking of new Texas artists. SteveE9C6 is a reference to my primary instrument... Pedal Steel Guitar. The necks on a pedal steel are tuned to these tunings. I play with a band in the central Texas region. You can check out the web page at The Night Shift

I also am the owner and webmaster of The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum UMGF

In my spare time I practice family medicine and play in our churches praise band.

I don't have a credentials really... I just enjoy writing, and commenting on the V69ME was pretty easy.

 

[cominginsecond]

Nah... I was just reviewing it for general interest. My name is Steve Stallings. I'm 51 y/o and own a small project studio which is doing some tracking of new Texas artists. SteveE9C6 is a reference to my primary instrument... Pedal Steel Guitar. The necks on a pedal steel are tuned to these tunings. I play with a band in the central Texas region. You can check out the web page at The Night Shift

I also am the owner and webmaster of The Unofficial Martin Guitar Forum UMGF

In my spare time I practice family medicine and play in our churches praise band.

I don't have a credentials really... I just enjoy writing, and commenting on the V69ME was pretty easy.

Do you have experience with those mics that are generally recognized as being “great”? Your statement, “The V69 in particular is a just unbelievable mic. I don't mean "for the money"... I mean unbelievable period.” seems to imply so.

 

[pdlstl]

Hey Steve!

I didn't know you were hanging around here. Good to see you.

I finally sold my Mullen blue lacquer D-10. Playing strictly bluegrass now.

Earl

 

[SteveE9C6]

Do you have experience with those mics that are generally recognized as being “great”?

Well, I don't own a mic locker of C12 and old Neumans. I've had the opportunity to use these though...primarily as a performer, not the engineer. It's pretty easy to compare great vocal tracks with great vocal tracks though. I own an extensive collection of music. My benchmark for "great vocal sounds" is stuff like Vern Gosdin, James Taylor, Dixie Chicks, Steely Dan, etc. I dont' need to A/B a Neuman tube mic or U87 with the V69 to realize that it is getting a great vocal sound. When I say that it is capable of standing up to anything I've heard, I mean just that. The vocal tracks we are getting are bonafide gems. I am by far, not the only one who feels this way about this mic. Harvey Gerst commented in his coulumn earlier today that he is a little bummed because his V69 is in the shop. It has become his go-to vocal mic on most projects. Obviously I am working with a quality singer and have a pretty good signal path. V69-Langevin DVC-LEX MPX1-HD24. I suspect that this singer could make my AKG C3000 sound marvelous!

Now, I'm sorry if I've somehow ruffled someones feathers. I've been around this site for several years... I just haven't posted that much until recently. I have been involved in music since the early sixties. I do this because I enjoy it and for no other reason. I am primarily a player who also records. God bless you all.

Earl!... man I sure would have liked that Mullen! Didn't Bill buy it from you? Seems I recall something like that.