Nick The Man
New member
what do you guys think good bad ok .... ill tell you one thing they sure do look cool ....and there all like 100 bucks
Treeline
New member
Great value for the money and versatile mics. They are quirky, though.
I have a pair of 603s small diaphragms that I use a whole bunch; I like what they do with large acoustic guitars, like a D-18. But they are fragile! I'd handle them gently and try to use a suspension mount. Don't do close high SPL stuff or close vocals - vocal plosions can be murder on the 603. I also have a big el cheapo LDC that I keep as a reserve if something breaks.
I have a pair of 603s small diaphragms that I use a whole bunch; I like what they do with large acoustic guitars, like a D-18. But they are fragile! I'd handle them gently and try to use a suspension mount. Don't do close high SPL stuff or close vocals - vocal plosions can be murder on the 603. I also have a big el cheapo LDC that I keep as a reserve if something breaks.
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Cheeky Monkey
New member
After doing my research here, my conclusion is that the best budget mics to buy for my use are a pair of MXL 603s for X/Y config for my acoustic guitar (in fact, someone posted some sound clips of the same mic/config and members here reported that it sounded great), and a MXL V67G for vocals. The Studio Projects B1 is well-regarded as an all-around budget mic, but I believe the MXLs suited to the application will be better for me. For the price, I can't see how I can go wrong. Keep in mind though, that I'm completely new to mics and recording and my decision is solely based on my research/member reviews.
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wang191
New member
I like the way the 603's sound but i add a 2001 on the sound hole and adjust the volume for the sound
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chessrock
Banned
For the most part, I think MXL have some hits and some misses.
This is just a personal opinion, but I think their LDC's leave something to be desired; even at their price point. I've basically went through the whole merry-go-round of hearing friends talk about a particular model or reading about them on the board ... buying it ... thinking it sounds good at first ... and over time, I just grow to dislike it. Then I sell it and pick up an Audio Technica or something.
They just tend to be either unusually bright or distorted / excited ... I don't like the way they handle esses, and they're a little on the thin side, overall, for my taste. The transformer-based ones aren't nearly as bad, except for the fact that the transformers are pretty cheap and they sound that way.
On the positive side of things, I think they make a really dynamite small-diaphragm capsule. The mxl 603 is a crystal clear, bright, articulate sdc that has it's uses. It's brothers -- 990, 991, and 770, etc -- use the same capsule, sound just as good and are equally useful.
I know a lot of guys - and not just on this board - who use the mxl LDC's (a lot of them are in to the DIY Royer mods, etc.) and think they're alright. I just don't agree; maybe I'm not hearing what they're hearing.
Tha'ts just my personal opinion on them, for what it's worth.
This is just a personal opinion, but I think their LDC's leave something to be desired; even at their price point. I've basically went through the whole merry-go-round of hearing friends talk about a particular model or reading about them on the board ... buying it ... thinking it sounds good at first ... and over time, I just grow to dislike it. Then I sell it and pick up an Audio Technica or something.
They just tend to be either unusually bright or distorted / excited ... I don't like the way they handle esses, and they're a little on the thin side, overall, for my taste. The transformer-based ones aren't nearly as bad, except for the fact that the transformers are pretty cheap and they sound that way.
On the positive side of things, I think they make a really dynamite small-diaphragm capsule. The mxl 603 is a crystal clear, bright, articulate sdc that has it's uses. It's brothers -- 990, 991, and 770, etc -- use the same capsule, sound just as good and are equally useful.
I know a lot of guys - and not just on this board - who use the mxl LDC's (a lot of them are in to the DIY Royer mods, etc.) and think they're alright. I just don't agree; maybe I'm not hearing what they're hearing.
Tha'ts just my personal opinion on them, for what it's worth.
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acorec
Banned
chessrock said:
Yeah, that is how most people buy mics. The only one that I got hammered into buying was the GT 44 and I either got very lucky, or this is the best damn guitar cab/drum mic I have ever had in the studio. But, almost exclusively, I stick with the big boy names because they last a lifetime and stack up in a mix well. The budget mics of today, at least the ones I have tried, end up being a mix nightmare somwhere down the line. I just can't be wasting money on a gamble anymore as I need the mics to work when I hit record. My time is much more limited these days and a $100 mic costs me way more in wasted time when it shows its warts down the line.
And, this is just a personal opinion, when the young guys get through wasting their money and time trading up, they will find out that buying a quality mic now will make better recordings and be tools that they can use throughout their career.
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Cheeky Monkey
New member
Well, I'm not a young guy, and although my wife and I make good money, it's committed to other more important things (like house needs/kids university), especially since my songwriting/recording is a hobby. I'm just now assembling the necessary entry-level gear, to get started, learn how to do things. I don't think it's a waste at all to buy some MXL mics, and since I'm soon to have just about everything else I need to proceed, I can't see waiting months not using the gear because I can't afford more expensive mics. IMO, buy what you can afford, learn the ropes, train your ears, then upgrade. You won't lose that much if you sell the used gear that you didn't pay much for in the first place. All JMO.acorec said:
Nick The Man
New member
which one do you guys think is the best for vocals.... most clarity
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chessrock
Banned
Cheeky Monkey said:
I think sometimes we get a little carried away on this board, and we need a reality check every now and then.
Most people who record are doing it as a hobby, much like yourself, and aren't really expecting to be the next Joe Chicarelli. For someone like yourself, the mxl's or any other cheap mic -- heck, anything that plugs in and has output -- will do just fine.
Guys like Acorec and myself tend to speak for discerning listeners / perfectionsists who are more picky about sound quality and that sort of thing.
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photoresistor
New member
I can only comment on the MXL v57ms which I bought a long time ago mainly for drum overheads... they arent bad and for the money they're a great value.
its funny... this is like the second thread in the past week about MXL mics. anyways, if you end up wanting an mxl v57m... im selling one to a guy on here and ill let the other one go for the same price ($30). they worked great as overheads for what they were but now that i have my audix scx-one mics i hardly use them at all. let me know.
heres the recent thread in which mxls were mentioned: https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=144135
its funny... this is like the second thread in the past week about MXL mics. anyways, if you end up wanting an mxl v57m... im selling one to a guy on here and ill let the other one go for the same price ($30). they worked great as overheads for what they were but now that i have my audix scx-one mics i hardly use them at all. let me know.
heres the recent thread in which mxls were mentioned: https://homerecording.com/bbs/showthread.php?t=144135
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Cheeky Monkey
New member
Someday I hope to be in your company.chessrock said:
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mrface2112
Well-known member
<<You won't lose that much if you sell the used gear that you didn't pay much for in the first place>>
yeah, but there's the corollary: buy cheap, buy twice.
i used to be a proponent of the "cheap chinese" mics, and to some extent i still am--they're good for the hobbyist or those who want to "just get audio recorded". plenty of folks will be content with a V67.
but for folks who do this for a living, or who have higher exacting standards aren't gonna be happy with "just ok". plus, you want something to WORK when you plug it in.....and a lot of the pro-sumer gear is intended to be used at most a handful of hours per day. it's not designed to be used 8-12 hours every day. hence, there's a bit of "apprehension" and "snobbery" by those who require something to WORK (let alone work WELL) when they turn it on.
these days, i find myself to fall somewhere in the middle here.....i definitely hear the shortcomings in my "pro-sumer gear", but have a hard time getting over the hump to buy something "high-end".
either way, i'm THRILLED that for only a couple grand i can get GOOD sounding audio recorded. 10 years ago, i was fighting with a portastudio and pissed off about it.
cheers,
wade
yeah, but there's the corollary: buy cheap, buy twice.
i used to be a proponent of the "cheap chinese" mics, and to some extent i still am--they're good for the hobbyist or those who want to "just get audio recorded". plenty of folks will be content with a V67.
but for folks who do this for a living, or who have higher exacting standards aren't gonna be happy with "just ok". plus, you want something to WORK when you plug it in.....and a lot of the pro-sumer gear is intended to be used at most a handful of hours per day. it's not designed to be used 8-12 hours every day. hence, there's a bit of "apprehension" and "snobbery" by those who require something to WORK (let alone work WELL) when they turn it on.
these days, i find myself to fall somewhere in the middle here.....i definitely hear the shortcomings in my "pro-sumer gear", but have a hard time getting over the hump to buy something "high-end".
either way, i'm THRILLED that for only a couple grand i can get GOOD sounding audio recorded. 10 years ago, i was fighting with a portastudio and pissed off about it.
cheers,
wade
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chessrock
Banned
Cheeky Monkey said:
Being a perfectionist isn't as fun as you might think.
Takes some of the enjoyment and spontaneity out of things, sometimes. Enjoy where you're at.
MadAudio
Damned if I do
Here's my worthless 2 cents, based on the MXL mics I own. My grades are based on my own use, which in most cases is very limited. I'm also grading on the bang-for-buck scale, not the pro-audio-worthy scale. 
990 - An acceptable condensor for the money. I've been able to get some good acoustic guitar recordings from it, but it stinks on vocals. I've read of it being used on guitar cabs and as drum overheads with decent results. I have two of them, one still new in the box. My grade: B My cost: $59 ea. + shipping
V93M - A very very bright LDC. I haven't yet found a good use for it, but I'm not ready to sell it, either. My grade: C My cost: $89 + shipping
603 (matched pair) - I got these primarily to use as overheads for my drums, and I'm very happy with them. I had read of a harsheness on cymbals with these mics, but I've been very pleased with my results. I've read reports that they make good acoustic guitar mics as well. My grade: A- My cost: $279 + shipping
V69M - IMO a very good entry-level tube mic. Very good for some voices, not quite right for others. I haven't tried mine on any instruments yet. My grade: B+ My cost: $299 + shipping
V67 - I scored one of these from eBay for $79, but when it got here I discovered there was something rattling around inside the housing. I still tested it out, though (I couldn't help it!!) and thought it sounded amazing. I got in touch with the vendor who then put me in touch with MXL. They not only gave me an RA right away, but said they would reimburse me for my shipping costs. Sweet. Anyway, I can't wait to get this mic back in my studio, because I think it will be getting a workout. My grade based on just 5 minutes of use: A My cost: $79, FREE shipping, but $9 to send it back to MXL and time (up to two weeks) of potential mic use lost.
Overall - MXL makes some useable mics for budget-recording-type persons. But know what your mic need is before you click that "Add To Cart" button.
990 - An acceptable condensor for the money. I've been able to get some good acoustic guitar recordings from it, but it stinks on vocals. I've read of it being used on guitar cabs and as drum overheads with decent results. I have two of them, one still new in the box. My grade: B My cost: $59 ea. + shipping
V93M - A very very bright LDC. I haven't yet found a good use for it, but I'm not ready to sell it, either. My grade: C My cost: $89 + shipping
603 (matched pair) - I got these primarily to use as overheads for my drums, and I'm very happy with them. I had read of a harsheness on cymbals with these mics, but I've been very pleased with my results. I've read reports that they make good acoustic guitar mics as well. My grade: A- My cost: $279 + shipping
V69M - IMO a very good entry-level tube mic. Very good for some voices, not quite right for others. I haven't tried mine on any instruments yet. My grade: B+ My cost: $299 + shipping
V67 - I scored one of these from eBay for $79, but when it got here I discovered there was something rattling around inside the housing. I still tested it out, though (I couldn't help it!!) and thought it sounded amazing. I got in touch with the vendor who then put me in touch with MXL. They not only gave me an RA right away, but said they would reimburse me for my shipping costs. Sweet. Anyway, I can't wait to get this mic back in my studio, because I think it will be getting a workout. My grade based on just 5 minutes of use: A My cost: $79, FREE shipping, but $9 to send it back to MXL and time (up to two weeks) of potential mic use lost.
Overall - MXL makes some useable mics for budget-recording-type persons. But know what your mic need is before you click that "Add To Cart" button.
Nick The Man
New member
out of all of the MXL mics which one would you say sounds the best for vocals. and mostly classic rock covers will be sang into it if that helps anything
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mrface2112
Well-known member
<<out of all of the MXL mics which one would you say sounds the best for vocals>>
the answer is "whichever one works best on your voice". that's why most studios who record a broad variety of people have extensive mic collections.
of the MXL mics, the ones that seem most "intended" for vocals and have gotten the most "press" around here are the V67, V69 and V77. all three are very different mics. one may sound considerably better suited for your voice.
much like madaudio, i really liked the way the V67 sounded on my voice when i initially got it. but, once i started listening to the takes, i noticed this "gnarliness" in the midrange that really started to get on my nerves the more i listened. i DO like the sound of the mic on my voice, but there's just something about it that i don't like. maybe you won't have that problem, or maybe you won't hear it. i do. chessrock hears it too--i knew exactly what he was talking about when he mentioned it in a post a while back.
i'd really like to try the V69. though, b/c it's reported that if you like the way you sound on a V67, that the V69 gives you even more of the things you like. haven't gotten around to that, though.
cheers,
wade
the answer is "whichever one works best on your voice". that's why most studios who record a broad variety of people have extensive mic collections.
of the MXL mics, the ones that seem most "intended" for vocals and have gotten the most "press" around here are the V67, V69 and V77. all three are very different mics. one may sound considerably better suited for your voice.
much like madaudio, i really liked the way the V67 sounded on my voice when i initially got it. but, once i started listening to the takes, i noticed this "gnarliness" in the midrange that really started to get on my nerves the more i listened. i DO like the sound of the mic on my voice, but there's just something about it that i don't like. maybe you won't have that problem, or maybe you won't hear it. i do. chessrock hears it too--i knew exactly what he was talking about when he mentioned it in a post a while back.
i'd really like to try the V69. though, b/c it's reported that if you like the way you sound on a V67, that the V69 gives you even more of the things you like. haven't gotten around to that, though.
cheers,
wade
Dracon
New member
I bought the V67G and I have to say that I love it. Although, when I tried out the 990 I hate that mic. I guess is all in what you want to spend and what you are looking for.Nick The Man said:
nuemes
Be Here Now
MP3 of MXL V67 & MXL 603
You can get an idea of what the V67 ($99) sounds like at the link below. On the first song a V67 is used to record the vocals and a 603 on the acoutic guitar.
The second song has the same guitar but a Blue Baby Bottle ($499) on the vocal. Otherwise the signal chain was the same for this mic as in the first song.
It's relatively hard to hear the difference due to MP3 format, which also says a lot about the quality of the V67. I think it's a good value for the money. However, you'll likely soon want something that cuts through the mix and has more natural tone.
http://www.myspace.com/nuemes
You can get an idea of what the V67 ($99) sounds like at the link below. On the first song a V67 is used to record the vocals and a 603 on the acoutic guitar.
The second song has the same guitar but a Blue Baby Bottle ($499) on the vocal. Otherwise the signal chain was the same for this mic as in the first song.
It's relatively hard to hear the difference due to MP3 format, which also says a lot about the quality of the V67. I think it's a good value for the money. However, you'll likely soon want something that cuts through the mix and has more natural tone.
http://www.myspace.com/nuemes
