MXL 990 vs. AT2020

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olana

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Hello,

I'm relatively new to this board (joined 3 days ago), brand new to home recording, and have gotten amazing support as i begin to create a studio in my apartment for a small project. I'm about to purchase a condensor microphone to record vocals/acoustic guitar/piano, and the MXL990 came highly recommended and at the extremely low price of $49 (I still shake my head in disbelief and excitement:)

But today I read that 2 people on this board have had some problems with that microphone "humming" when connected to a 4 track. Today someone else recommended a slightly more expensive mic, the Audio Technica 2020, as a better option. It's about twice the price the of the MXL, but I might be able to afford it.

Anyone know if the AT2020 would make a substanstial difference for a home recording? And, would it record a clean, quiet, electric guitar well also?

Thanks for taking the time to consider this,
-Chris
 
I have used the MXL990 for awhile now, and never had hum problems that could be traced back to the mic.

I *have* had hum problems where the source of the hum was elsewhere, and the mic picked it up. That's hardly surprising with this kind of ultra-sensitive mic.

In general, mics don't hum. They pick up hum (or any other noise around), and of course if you have shady cables, they tend to add to the problem. If you have a bad 48v phantom power feed, that could make things worse (remember that like most condensor mics, the MXL990 needs phantom power).

If the MXL990 has any fault you can put a finger on, it is that it is *extremely* bright, and *very* sensitive.
 
Olana, do a search for the MXL990 and I think you will find a lot of neg. feedback about them. I do not own one but I am shopping around and I did the search and that is what I found...so I have changed my mind
 
I don't know anything about the 2020, but I have the 990 and it has its uses. It has no hum, and it is bright.
 
At 2020

I just heard the AT2020 yesterday at our local store "Pro-Sound".
http://www.pro-soundcenter.com/
It is a well built solid little unit and sounds very good.
It has a nice tight sound and not very colored.
The diaphragm is a tad smaller than the MXL but that could be a good thing for some. There have been many positive reviews on the 2020 since it's release.
Do some research ie type in "AT2020 review" in your search engine and see what you come up with. Check it out on the Audio-Technica website too!
BG/HSG
 
To record piano/acoustic guitar/vocals I would get a Studio Projects B1 in that price range. Its probably the most respected microphone in that price range. The MXL990 you will want to upgrade after a little bit and from what i've heard the AT2020 has a high cut off which wouldn't be very good for low guitar/piano chords.
 
Hi Homestudioguy

I have just read some amazing reviews on the the Audio tech At 2020.

I am thinking of getting one as thats the price I can afford for now.

dave
 
How about an alternative to both?

I own this mic and have nothing but good to say about it:

http://www.8thstreet.com/prod.asp?pid=7731

I usually don't like posting links to online stores, but the mic isn't widely available anymore AFAIK, and this store has a GREAT price on it - with a shockmount to boot.

This mic is a pretty neutral mic - no hyped highs, great overall response.
 
As I'm sure you've already learned

but just in case you haven't, when it comes to vocals especially, what works for one person isn't what works for another.

What kind of voice do you have, what kind of music is it roughly, and what's you're budget? ( I know, I have a hard time with that last one, too. )

A 990 might work well for all three (at that price level), but it might not suit your voice. Then again it might. I would think an SP B-1 would probably be a good alternative, too, again, for the price. But again, it might not be what your voice likes.

And when you get your first condensor, be prepared to be shocked. You'll hear the dog barking down the street in the background.
 
i had the 990 and thought it was total garbage. you'll like the b1 much much more.
 
The 990, due to quality control issues, can be a great deal or a sucker punch. I have one that does well, but I guess I was lucky. At such a low price, you may try it, and if it doesn't work out, sell it on e-bay for half price and you're only out 25 bucks. Shucks, the case is worth that! Another idea would be to take it apart and see what's inside and try to upgrade some of the capacitors and other electronics. You may even find a loose connection that needs solder. Like I said, it's a gamble with not much to loose.
 
warble2 said:
How about an alternative to both?

I own this mic and have nothing but good to say about it:

http://www.8thstreet.com/prod.asp?pid=7731

I usually don't like posting links to online stores, but the mic isn't widely available anymore AFAIK, and this store has a GREAT price on it - with a shockmount to boot.

This mic is a pretty neutral mic - no hyped highs, great overall response.
Click to expand...
I agree, the CAD M177 is a superb mic for the money.
I think it is better than the AT 2020 and MXL 990.
 
I think the AT2020 is a great mic to have in your arsenal. However, it isn't a large diaphragm condenser. It's just under 2/3rds of an inch (16mm). Usually, a large diaphragm is considered to be an inch or more, though I've seem some people fudge it a little and include stuff as small as 3/4 inch (e.g. the MXL 990). 16mm is right out.

I realize it's probably not proper terminology, but I think of the AT2020 as a medium diameter condenser. Stuff over a half inch and under an inch tends to behave somewhat like the large diaphragm in terms of transient response, but a bit faster, and at least in this case, a little brighter.

The AT2020 is a good mic to have around for when a LDC lacks too much clarity but a SDC sounds too sterile. The AT2020 tends to be somewhere in-between the two. I've tried it on just about everything from vocals to acoustic guitar. It is rarely the best match for anything, but is generally a usable match for everything. In other words, it's the SM57 of the condenser world, albeit nowhere near as muddy sounding. :D
 
I have both and neither are great at a lot of things. The 990 is good for cymbals because of it's voicing and the 2020 isn't subject to proximity effect as much as the 990. If I had to chose I would rather have the 2020 I guess.
 
I now have two AT 2020's and I strereo miced my Tanglewood guitar yesterday and I loved the clean sound when I used it while fingerpicking.


I was suprised at the low cost of these mics.

Dave
 
Not sure of the MXL. AT2020 is a good affordable mic for non-bass instruments and vocals. Not a "warm" mic but very quiet with good detail. On an amp, it depends what you're going for. You can find them for around $80 if you shop hard...
 
Don't waste even $10 on a MXL 990. Bought one yesterday. It is almost worthless as a LDC. :(

Still not sure if it is the Audio Buddy though. LOL Another worthless POS device.

I tried the 991 just talking into it. It was SO prone to distortion and pops that I would be hard pressed to find a use for it.

I am used to my cheapest mic being a AT 4033. 4033, 4050, ADK tube, Neumann U87's, AKG 414's, stuff like that, are going to be the mics that you won't be looking to "upgrade" down the road. Anything cheaper will just frustrate you.

The mic is the first thing to happen between your source and what you hear. It is one of two mechanical conversions that will happen in the audio. It is one of the two most important purchases you will make!

Don't put a price on such an important piece of gear! Try out a bunch of mics and purchase the one that compliments what you intend to use it for best. Otherwise, you will be back here bitching about the "quality" of your audio, and once you actually try a decent mic, I will be saying stuff like "I told you so".

But really, I would steer clear of the 990. For $50 you can get a used SM-57 and find many more uses for THAT!
 
I'd also recommend the Studio Projects B1. very good and consistant build quality, very clean, lots of gain, very smooth. They come with a shock mount now too. And if you ever need support, PMI Audio (the distributor of the Studio Projects mic series) are excellent to work with.

PS : yes, I own two SP B1's and I love them.
 
For me, I experienced sibilance issues with the B1 - something I don't experience with my CAD M177 or Groove Tube GT50. I'm pretty consistent with my vocal approach, the B1 just didn't work out for that purpose. On acoustic guitar, it sounded pretty good.

I will say something for SP support - it's a simple thing really, but proved that little things are important. The shock mount band broke quite easily the first time I used the mount. Contacted SP, and if I remember correctly, Alan got back with me and sent me new bands quickly and for free. Yes, a simple thing.
 
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