MXL 960 Tube Mic

[docmattic]

thanks phil.

one last question, ive been looking for a place to buy the royer mod components and am unsuccessful. Are they not sold any more meaning people have to make their own circut board and buy the components?

thanks

i'll keep the idea about the transformers in mind. i assume it changes with every tube used though right?

 

[PhilGood]

I'm thinking for shits and giggles I'll try the 960 stock, then swap for a K67 capsule and see what changes occur before changing the circuit. Maybe it'll just be worth keeping as-is with the new capsule!

 

[PhilGood]

thanks phil.

one last question, ive been looking for a place to buy the royer mod components and am unsuccessful. Are they not sold any more meaning people have to make their own circut board and buy the components?

thanks

i'll keep the idea about the transformers in mind. i assume it changes with every tube used though right?

If you PM me I can supply you with layouts and instructions on how to make you're own circuit boards. What mic are you using? I have resources for parts as well.

 

[docmattic]

If you PM me I can supply you with layouts and instructions on how to make you're own circuit boards. What mic are you using? I have resources for parts as well.

im using a v67. all is explained in the pm

 

[PhilGood]

UPS dropped off my 960 a little while ago. First impressions are nice. I'm going to leave it stock for a while before seriously messing with it, just so I have a really good idea of what this mic is really like.

It's very quiet, and very sensitive. I started monkeying around with headphones and stopped because someone outside was running a leaf blower and that was all I could concentrate on. Then I took the headphones off and realized it was pretty far away - LOL! I think upgrading the tube would be the first thing I would change if I left it stock.

I was expecting it to be brighter, but it's not. It's nice. Some reviews said it had an artificial low end, but I don't get that. It's warm and somewhat neutral. This is probably due to it being transformerless, which would eliminate the color a transformer would give it. It does have a slight peak in the higher end, probably around 10k, so if hit hard it could be sibilant, but with a singer who knows what they're doing this shouldn't be a problem.

The build is pretty solid for the most part. It has some good heft. You'll need a sturdy stand for it.

All in all, not bad at all! I agree with Harvey that it's close to a V69, but there's something different about it. Haven't put my finger on it quite yet. I need more time with it. Maybe when I get back from the doctor. I need to let it warm up a little more.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

I believe the difference is the head cavity is bigger than a V69. I find it to be a very warm, nice mic, without the excess top end sizzle. It's one of the nicer Chinese mics, IMHO.

 

[PhilGood]

Not only is the head cavity bigger, but the grill wires and spacing are larger, probably attributing for a slightly friendlier EQ. It does seem like it has more air, but is also smoother.

 

[docmattic]

phil would you be interested in posting up some samples? I think it would be nice for people to be able to hear the quality of the mic.

 

[PhilGood]

Well, I'm not too sure about that. I don't have anything here at home to record to test and compare. Everything is at the studio (besides my voice). I'm at home recovering from surgery and was hoping to just get straight to performing surgery on this mic and mod it while I have down time.

Maybe I'll hold off and see what I can do.

 

[kidvybes]

UPS dropped off my 960 a little while ago. First impressions are nice. I'm going to leave it stock for a while before seriously messing with it, just so I have a really good idea of what this mic is really like.

It's very quiet, and very sensitive. I started monkeying around with headphones and stopped because someone outside was running a leaf blower and that was all I could concentrate on. Then I took the headphones off and realized it was pretty far away - LOL! I think upgrading the tube would be the first thing I would change if I left it stock.

I was expecting it to be brighter, but it's not. It's nice. Some reviews said it had an artificial low end, but I don't get that. It's warm and somewhat neutral. This is probably due to it being transformerless, which would eliminate the color a transformer would give it. It does have a slight peak in the higher end, probably around 10k, so if hit hard it could be sibilant, but with a singer who knows what they're doing this shouldn't be a problem.

The build is pretty solid for the most part. It has some good heft. You'll need a sturdy stand for it.

All in all, not bad at all! I agree with Harvey that it's close to a V69, but there's something different about it. Haven't put my finger on it quite yet. I need more time with it. Maybe when I get back from the doctor. I need to let it warm up a little more.

...jeeez brother, you're making me wonder why the hell I sold mine ...too many toys cluttering up the place I guess...but yeah, I was actually pleasantly surprised too by the smoothness as compared to many other of the cheap Chinese "toob" mics...of the MXL models I've owned, the V77 gets top honors and the V69 & 960 were next in line...unfortunately, only my 2 V77s made the final cut...but Phil, once you get around to modding that bad boy, be sure to give us the details...interested in your findings as always...

 

[docmattic]

Well, I'm not too sure about that. I don't have anything here at home to record to test and compare. Everything is at the studio (besides my voice). I'm at home recovering from surgery and was hoping to just get straight to performing surgery on this mic and mod it while I have down time.

Maybe I'll hold off and see what I can do.

sorry i thought you said you were leaving it stock for a while. that is the only reason i asked. Im happy to hear it gutted aswell. i havnt heard a modded mic as of yet.

I get the feeing this mic worth its weight in gold for $150. am i correct?

 

[PhilGood]

The reputation of the V69 is well founded and the 960 seems smoother an richer. If I didn't buy this for the specific reason of using the mechanics with another circuit, I'd leave it stock and keep it!

I'd say for $150 it's a steal!

 

[docmattic]

by the looks of it musicians friend wont ship it international..stupid website. o well always next time.

 

[mrface2112]

Well, at $150 shipped i HAD to pick one of these up. I'll give a review of it after i've had some time to live with it and try it on a few things.

i've got a V77 (one of the "earlier" models) so i'm curious to hear how it compares/contrasts. i love my V77.

it was harvey's comment about it being "like the V69 but smoother and richer" that sold me. on the couple times i've tried the V69, i liked the way my voice sounded it......but the top end was a little too sizzly for my tastes.

i'm looking forward to trying it on vocals, acoustic and electric guitars, and drum overheads.

if all else fails, i'll just put it in front of the kick drum.


cheers,
wade

 

[docmattic]

heres a comparsison between the Mxl 960 and the neumann tlm49.

tlm49 is first mxl 960 is second.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=R4W6OG9W

from memory u boost the 400hz range b4 a few decimals and lower the 1khz range a few decibels and they sound very much alike. the neumann is more dence..but it is considerably more expensive

enjoy

 

[PhilGood]

That's an interesting comparison. (almost as interesting as figuring out how that site works) The Neumann does seem more dense. The midrange and overall sound feels like if it were in a mix it would muscle it's way through. The 960 sounds smoother, but also much less aggressive. The TLM49 has that sound.

 

[PhilGood]

After doing some research on the TLM49 I am finding that mic is about 50/50 in like and dislike for it's sound. It might not be a fair comparison to the 960 with the descriptions that match my first impressions after hearing this wav file. The TLM49 mic does indeed sound automatically compressed and boosted, with almost a nasally sound. Maybe the 960 is superior in respect to it's natural sound and smooth response. It may have bested the TLM49 after all. The TLM49 sounds to be a very good voice over mic, but maybe not so good in other respects like drum over heads.

Follow along here:

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/0/10703/32/0/

I am starting to think the 960 may be very good as-is!

 

[JPXTom]

After doing some research on the TLM49 I am finding that mic is about 50/50 in like and dislike for it's sound. It might not be a fair comparison to the 960 with the descriptions that match my first impressions after hearing this wav file. The TLM49 mic does indeed sound automatically compressed and boosted, with almost a nasally sound. Maybe the 960 is superior in respect to it's natural sound and smooth response. It may have bested the TLM49 after all. The TLM49 sounds to be a very good voice over mic, but maybe not so good in other respects like drum over heads.

Follow along here:

http://recforums.prosoundweb.com/index.php/m/0/10703/32/0/

I am starting to think the 960 may be very good as-is!

Hmm...interesting. Would you say the 960 would be "good to go" for vocals with its flat response? Cause thats why i was thinking about getting it.

 

[Harvey Gerst]

I am starting to think the 960 may be very good as-is!

I don't wanna say I told you so, but....

 

[PhilGood]

I don't wanna say I told you so, but....

I should always remember that's as good as gold.