MXL 990 vs 603

  • Thread starter Thread starter patlang12
  • Start date Start date
patlang12

patlang12

New member
The 990 is about half the price of the 603. What do people think of them. Which one would you suggest I get. I am on a tight budget so take that into consideration. I would probably be using them for drum overheads, vocals, and on a Martin acoustic guitar.
 
I have also been considering the oktavias. I forget the exact model # but they are the ones that a lot of people around here use.
 
I would also agree about the 603 over the 990, but since you are on the Musician's Friend website anyway look at the 993, which is very comparable to the 603.

Now as for the 603, the Oktava 012, and the 993 they shouls be fine for the overheads and the accoustic, but you will eventually want to save up for a vocal oriented mic, which these are not.
 
Innovations said:
I would also agree about the 603 over the 990, but since you are on the Musician's Friend website anyway look at the 993, which is very comparable to the 603.

Now as for the 603, the Oktava 012, and the 993 they shouls be fine for the overheads and the accoustic, but you will eventually want to save up for a vocal oriented mic, which these are not.
Click to expand...

In general, I would agree with this sentiment. The 603s is just better and easier to use on acoustic (I have a pair of each), and I've heard it is pretty good for overheads as well. However, it is not a good vocal mic for most people, and you would probably want to invest in an LDC for vocals. The 990, which allegedly has the same capsule as the 603s, is decent on both acoustic guitar and vocals, but doesn't really excel at either, in my opinion. It could almost certainly be used as overheads as well. Your budget will dictate. A pair of 990s or Studio Projects B1 would be very versatile for not much money, but, as I said, they probably won't blow your mind on any single application.

Getting a pair of SDCs and one decent LDC will give you a lot of options. Getting even one SDC and using with an LDC is acceptable. Some people get great results with just a single LDC, but it takes a great mic and a lot of practice.
 
So does anybody know where I can get the cheapest price on the 603s. How much are they? How much are the oktavias? Where is the cheapest place to get them?
 
patlang12 said:
So does anybody know where I can get the cheapest price on the 603s. How much are they? How much are the oktavias? Where is the cheapest place to get them?
Click to expand...

the cheapest i've seen the 603s, for a matched pair is $200 at:
http://www.audiogear.com/cgi-bin/shopper.cgi?key=MXL603SPR&preadd=action
or
http://macmidimusic.com/prod.itml/icOid/4671

Single ones can be had for $90-$100, and, in my opinion, it's worth it to get the matched pair, as it will make your stereo recordings really shine.

Oktavas are available in the U.S. primarily through Guitar Center, and I don't know how much they cost. The soundroom sells rigorously matched pairs of the MC012, but they are pricey:
http://sound-room.com/customer/product.php?productid=18&cat=3&page=1
 
The 990 sounds just like a 603, and can be use in the same situations.

Only it looks a lot more slick, and it's a lot cheaper. My vote goes to the 990.
 
chessrock said:
The 990 sounds just like a 603, and can be use in the same situations.

Only it looks a lot more slick, and it's a lot cheaper. My vote goes to the 990.
Click to expand...
Really? I have heard a lot of people trash the 990's and like the 603's. Does anybody else have anything to say on that? Remeber this would be for drum overheads, vocals, and 000X1 martin acoustic which is small bodied.



Thanks for the links scrubs.
 
don't forget about the 991 a.ka. 603s so if you get the combo of 990&991, you get the same cap in 2 cans for the price of one 603s a.k.a. 991.
 
junplugged said:
don't forget about the 991 a.ka. 603s so if you get the combo of 990&991, you get the same cap in 2 cans for the price of one 603s a.k.a. 991.
Click to expand...
Yeah, but will they work well as overheads together? Or will it sound bad because they are not matched. If it matters I plan on using recorderman's technique where you put one mic right above the snare and one over the drummers shoulder.
 
I don't know, but I don't think I'd try to match the 990&991, But I don't have anything matched up here, I don't even have 2 channels of the same preamp.
 
patlang12 said:
Really? I have heard a lot of people trash the 990's and like the 603's. Does anybody else have anything to say on that? Remeber this would be for drum overheads, vocals, and 000X1 martin acoustic which is small bodied.
Click to expand...

chessrock is wise, but, in my opinion, the 603s and the 990 don't sound exactly the same (at least mine don't). The capsule mounting and large-basket enclosure on the 990 alter its sonic properties slightly. I think it makes it better for vocals (more like an LDC, even though it has a 20mm diaphragm) than the 603s. I've used the 603s for background vocals, but I don't like it for lead vocals at all. The 990 is also difficult to use in an XY pattern because of its size.

So, to answer your question in a roundabout way: If you want one inexpensive mic to do it all, the 990 is a decent choice. It will do vocals, and a pair of them (even unmatched) could be used for overheads and acoustic miking. Studio Projects B1 would be a similar choice in that pricerange.

If you want something specifically for stereo miking, get the matched 603s, Oktava MC012, or Studio Projects C4 (a little more $$). SDCs sound good and are easy to place for these applications. However, with this route, you'll almost certainly want to get a separate mic for vocals.

Thanks for the links scrubs.
Click to expand...

No problem.
 
So would the combo of 990&991 work well for overheads or no? Would it be better to get matched ovehead. Oh and a quick question a little off topic: Can dynamic mics work with phantom power. I am thinking about getting a Yamaha mixer that only lets you turn phantom power on and off on all of the tracks and I want to know if it will work with my sm57 when phantom power is on.
 
patlang12 said:
So would the combo of 990&991 work well for overheads or no? Would it be better to get matched ovehead.
Click to expand...


Scrubs brings up a good point. There are going to be slight differences between the two. The 990's housing means it's not going to be as smooth off-axis, and I'm assuming the pattern would be a bit narrower (the 603's is unusually wide). For that reason, I don't know how well the 990 and 991 would match up in a stereo config. One might think the stereo image would be less-than-perfect.

Strictly from a value standpoint, though, the 990 wins pretty easily. Jeezus, c'mon, it's like half the price for cryin' out loud, :D and it certainly ain't half the mic.
 
DJL said:
The Marshall MXL990 DOESN"T sound just like a Marshall MXL603S!!!
Click to expand...
could you elaborate on that a little more. Anybody else care to voice their opinion.
 
patlang12 said:
Yeah, but will they work well as overheads together? Or will it sound bad because they are not matched. If it matters I plan on using recorderman's technique where you put one mic right above the snare and one over the drummers shoulder.
Click to expand...
I prefer matched mics. Checkout this thread http://www.homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=116651&highlight=matched

patlang12 said:
could you elaborate on that a little more. Anybody else care to voice their opinion.
Click to expand...
Sure... they just don't sound the like each other... the off axis response is different, tone and etc, etc. IMO, the MXL603S responds and sounds better on acoustic instruments, overheads, and etc than the MXL990... however, the MXL990 works a little better on vox (still sucks tho) and amps... and you really have to watch out for pops with both mics. If they sounded just like each other I would have recommend the cheaper one... but, trust me... the Marshall MXL990 doesn't sound just like a Marshall MXL603S.
 
Last edited:
so the 990 works better on a 4x12 cab than the 603
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top