Marshall MXL600 vs. MXL603

[Azimuth]

Has anyone been able to compare these two mics? I ran a search and found no reference to the 600 model on the BBS.

I see the 600 uses a 3-micron condensor diaphram versus a 6-micron on the 603. They appear to have very similar response curves but the 600 is at least twice as much as the 603.

Can anyone with any experience state how they stack up to each other? I'm looking to use them as drum overheads and for acoustic instruments (guitar mainly) as would be expected with the SD condensor.

The Marshall site describes the 600 as: "Its exceptional transparency captures the "air" of stringed instruments, pianos, drums and cymbals. It is ideal when used in stereo pairs for recording entire rooms or for overhead miking of drum kits. The 600's harmonic accuracy will enhance any performance or recording."

...and the 603 as: Its transformerless design provides a solid bottom and an extremely open top end sound. The 603S is internally wired with World-renowned Mogami Cable for sonic integrity. The 603S is very well suited for most instrument miking and is very rugged for use on the road."

Makes the 603 sound less capable.

Any feedback would be appreciated!

Jason

 

[Harvey Gerst]

I found this review on rec.audio.pro from about a year ago:

The mics we didn't like:

Marshall MXL-600 $270 Veiled top end and exaggerated low-mid, compared to the Oktava MC-012. About 1 dB lower output than the Oktava. It just sounded very dull and lifeless. Very easy to bottom out as well.

The mics we did like:

Marshall MXL-603 $99 This was a flat-out winner, folks. Almost identical to the MC012 in sound, with a wide cardioid pattern, almost approaching omni. We used them as drum overhead mics, and they did a great job. The diaphragms are easy to bottom out on voice, but with a pop filter (and positioned above the singer's mouth), they wouldn't be bad as a vocal mic on some singers, and they'd probably do fine on acoustic guitar, and many other instruments. They were also a perfect match to the Oktava MC012 - they sounded nearly identical.

 

[tubedude]

Harvey, I think that reviewer is a well known crackhead... dont listen to what he says, its rubbish...

 

[Harvey Gerst]

Harvey, I think that reviewer is a well known crackhead... dont listen to what he says, its rubbish...

Actually, I think the reviewer is a a dumb-assed, stupid, red-necked, dickweed, who doesn't know his ass from a hole in the ground.

 

[mixmkr]

well...sheeeeeit... I wonder who posted that on the rec.audio.pro and would say dat!!

You know, but seriously...for the flack that everyone has about the MXL2001, I feel I have gotten some good results....and even on my 4311's that you so love too, Harvey. Now, my mic collection might resemble something more out of the 70-80's, but I think the 2001 fits in good. Some of my stuff includes the EV re15s,stuff like that, an old 666, 421's, a sm7 and a shitload of 57's,58s...oh..and a pair of re20s...yeah...I like dynamics. I have a pair of m160's and a pair of m500s...but I don't really use them alot much now....cept for the 160 on a snare or something. But, my "new" condensor list to add to my c451's(two) and km184s(three), (and some cheapie electrets) includes the 4033, C1, v67 (and not the friggin green/gold one! ) and a pair of 2001's. No...not alot of mics, personally, but as an engineer for the last 30 years myself, I've used a couple of the *big boys* too at various studios I've worked at. Now, I just enjoy doing stuff at home, and having the studio all to myself, anytime, all the time. I am planning a buying fest of the ecm8000, 603's as for "Mcdonalds funmeal money", you can have a couple of mics. Anywayzz...I probably should just sell all my mics and use a 57, as at the MXL2001 Mod post, I didn't think there was much of a difference, in disagreement with basically everyone else. Yeah...I heard it...but to some it seemed earth shattering. I'd be interested in your view of those clips the guy put up using his Marshall cab as an example.(close mic'd)

 

[tubedude]

I'll trade you 2 (new) 603's and maybe another 2001 for the Beyer 160, then...
I want a 160 pair more than I do most other mics...

 

[tubedude]

Oh wait, you DO have a pair.... barter with me. They must be in good shape and not blown, or course. Well, even if they look beat to death, as long as they perform properly.

 

[mixmkr]

the 160's work great...no they haven't been modded, and I've had them for years now...so they are kinda like old buddies. they're low output suckers, and I think many people that would try them, would find they are crankin' their Mackie pres to the max to even get the things to come on! (I use them to record the 70 piece string ensemble that comes to my living room, from time to time...) actually, killer on snare...screw the 57.

 

[tubedude]

WEll, you gonna part with em or what?
I've been planning an order pretty soon from musicians-gear.com, where they have the 160 for $270 each (the 260 for $154!!!) there are a fe w weird import taxes, but the savings of ordering German mics from Germany seems pretty awesome.
Sell em, or no? How about $400 for the pair?
I'm pretty happy, its been over a year since I've had any gear or money, and now its starting to happen again. Joy.

Try the 500 on snair, too...

 

[Azimuth]

OK, so was the review a good one -there seemed to be some debate (not that anyone here has differing opinions or anything like that)?

Has anyone here had experience with them?

 

[mixmkr]

Has anyone here had experience with them?

with what??

tube...naw, ya know they're not for sale...you reach my age, and it's just silly to sell stuff [most of the time...eh?]

man...I wish I still had my showman and bassman heads.. and the duo jet...and.....oh well...

 

[tubedude]

That review WAS harveys review... yes he likes them... the rest was a joke...

 

[Harvey Gerst]

To clarify:

cheap 603 is good.


expensive 600 is bad.

 

[heylow]

Just to share....

....my experience...............


DO NOT....I repeat.....DO NOT go anywhere near the 600!

When talk of the 603 got heavy around here, I was more of a newie mentally and checked ebay. I found that I could buy a 600 for the same price of the 603 and thought, "Hey....the 603 is cool right? Then the more expensive 600 has to be even better! To hell with those cheap ass bums on Home-Rec!"

So I proudly purchase the 600 and for at least week tried to convince myself that it wasn't a harsh sounding piece of crap and I don't have to feel like an ass "

Nowhere to be found was the smooth acoustic guitar and overhead sound I had heard while assisting a friend at a local studio. Just harsh garbage. I sold it for exactly what i paid and learned my lesson well.

If you want to learn to look at an sm57 as a great souding overhead mic, then the 600 is the way to go....you'll think the 57 sounds like a 3000 dollar mic when you're all done!

Darker days, man, darker days



heylow
Rock Jedi/Indie Snob
www.heylowsoundsystem.net

 

[Gidge]

if you had been a good little sheep you would have trusted Harveys artcle:

"Veiled top end and exaggerated low-mid, compared to the Oktava MC-012. About 1 dB lower output than the Oktava. It just sounded very dull and lifeless. Very easy to bottom out as well. "