MXL 990...TLM 103 look-alike

[H2oskiphil]

Tube-

I've got 2 of the basic A51's. I don't have the huge experience base to compare them to other mics, but I did a quickie comparison a couple of weeks ago with an AKG 4000, the A51, and a C-1. The ADK and AKG sounded very similar-not a lot of hype in the high end, and not as much "sizzle". I wouldn't go so far as to say they were "dry", but they were very neutral. I'm not sure if I would consider them "colored" or "smokey", but I haven't had the exposure to the number of mics that you have, so my basis for comparison is pretty limited. For the singer I was working with that evening, the A51 proved to be the best mic for his voice. They were the first LD condenser's I owned, and I still use them fairly regularaly.

I've used them with acoustic guitars, as well. I think I had some placement issues, because they sounded a little muddy. That having been said, I had one aimed directly at the sound hole of the guitar from about 8" away-I've heard from several people since then that this is a guaranteed way to make ANY mic sound muddy...

Tell you what-I'll try to record a little something with mine and either e-mail or post a link to the results. Gimme a couple of days...

 

[tubedude]

What version are they? Do you know? adkmic.com might be able to tell you. The "smokey" flavored ones are supposed to be the type II and III I think, but mainly the II.
Post something when you can.

 

[H2oskiphil]

Tube-

The web site was no help. I'll give them a call tomorrow with the serial numbers and see if they can get me the info. I'll record something tonight w/the acoustic and some vocals, and you can see what you think.

On a different but related topic, once I've got something in MP3 format, what's the best way to post it?

Phil

 

[H2oskiphil]

Tube-

If I'd simply looked at my mics before I posted, I'd have been a lot better off...

My A-51's are type III.

You may wonder how I figured that out. I went to the expense and time of actually pulling them off the shelf, opening the case, and looking at the back of them.

I'm pretty tired after all that research...think I'll sit back and watch some football and recuperate...

 

[tubedude]

Want to sell the pair? I'll give ya $220. Never hurts to ask, as its how I have aquired about 90% of my mics.

 

[H2oskiphil]

Want to sell the pair? I'll give ya $220. Never hurts to ask, as its how I have aquired about 90% of my mics.

$220 each? (never hurts to ask...)

 

[Magnumaster]

I Actually Bought One

Hey all, I am special. I own the MXL-990. I got it for christmas, but haven't been able to use it much because my crappy sound board doesn't have phantom power. Fortunately, I've been able to borrow my friend's Behringer board for short periods of time, thus enabling me to utilize the mic. I'm not anything even close to pro, but the as little as I've use the mic, I have been quite impressed. I would recommend it to anyone who is fairly into home recording. It's a great buy for those who are on an insanely tight budget, looking for a condenser.

 

[gobblefisher]

Hey, there are about 150 "reviews" over at the MF link...suppose they have a deal together (note the number of MF Exclusive MXL's...) to weed out all the bad reviews?

 

[gtrman_66]

I am going to buy one. Guitar Center is opening a store in town and their grand opening circular has a 990 and 991 set for $49.99. WTF, 50 bucks, I can use them in my mobile recording kit if nothing else. I don't always like taking my good mics into clubs to record live. Too much chance of getting knocked over by drunks, but $50 for the two, what the hell?

 

[thajeremy]

I have an MXL 990 and an SP B1. Im not sure what the 990's SPL rating is but im sure its pretty low (unless i just have a bad mic). I have had some success with it on accoustic guitars and as a room mic...I placed it about 6 feet in front of a drum kit once about cymbol hight and was pleased with the highs it brought out..BUT DONT PUT IT ON A GUITAR CAB!!! sounded like it twisted the diaphram inside out. The B1 on the other hand has been awesome on my Fender Bandmaster. I havent tried it on accoustic yet or on drums.

 

[junplugged]

ya dug up a thread.

I have 2. I can't compare them to an expensive mic. I don't own any. I use a few mics and a few pre's and it's gonna take me 10 years to really know the differences. I try to not have the same sound all the time, but I can't yet tell you how to use what mic for what, yet....

 

[junplugged]

I am going to buy one. Guitar Center is opening a store in town and their grand opening circular has a 990 and 991 set for $49.99. WTF, 50 bucks, I can use them in my mobile recording kit if nothing else. I don't always like taking my good mics into clubs to record live. Too much chance of getting knocked over by drunks, but $50 for the two, what the hell?

geez, I thought 100 for the 2 mics was so good, I got 2 of those combos. Are you sure it's 50 for 2? That's $25 each mic, insane.

 

[gtrman_66]

geez, I thought 100 for the 2 mics was so good, I got 2 of those combos. Are you sure it's 50 for 2? That's $25 each mic, insane.

I thought that was an insane price too. I guess it is just a hook to get people in to their grand opening. They are doing 12 sets of guitar or bass strings for the price of one, drumsticks too. Just a silly marketing hook, but I am oing to take advantage of it.

 

[Nick The Man]

i've never heard a TLM but i own a MXL and i dont know how you could call the TLM a bang for the buck its 1000 dollars! i dont really enjoy the MXL's sound quality i just like the price ... but it would work good for screaming vocals not for much eles IMO

 

[MadAudio]

Hey, since we're responding to old threads...

The TLM103 is worth every penny of that $1000 and blows the 990 out of the water. I've used the former and own the latter.

 

[Nick The Man]

im sure it does ive heard many good things about them

 

[mcolling]

As far as an OH, IMO the SP B1 is far better than the 990. I like the 990 for acoustic guitar and vocals.

 

[Innovations]

Hey, since we're responding to old threads...

The TLM103 is worth every penny of that $1000 and blows the 990 out of the water. I've used the former and own the latter.

But hey, as the 2002 poster said, they LOOK a lot alike!

 

[DJL]

I don't always like taking my good mics into clubs to record live. Too much chance of getting knocked over by drunks

And sooner or later, you can bet on that happening... I know for a fact.

geez, I thought 100 for the 2 mics was so good, I got 2 of those combos. Are you sure it's 50 for 2? That's $25 each mic, insane.

It makes me wonder how much it cost the factory to make the mic... maybe $2 to $5 or so? Anyway, it can't be very much.

Hey, since we're responding to old threads...

Yeah... Magnumaster sure dug up an old one didn't he... lol.