WHAT to buy? v67g v 990

[anth0]

Im new to recording and just tring to set up a small studio at home. I have a:
spirit folio sx
m audio delta 1010
sm58
di box
sm57

I reckon i need a mic for recording vox ive read so much about these mxl mic's and for the cost (59 quid) i reck0n i cant go wrong. But whats the difference between these mics? ive read reviews saying they both suck and they both rule. People saying the v67g is the best mic theyve used. Im really confused. If someone could tell me how one is better than the other and what criteria they base their opinion on i would be very greatful.
Cheers.

 

[chessrock]

They're different sounding mics. People base their opinions on the degree to which the mic does (or doesn't do) what someone wants/needs it to do within the context of their recording situation.

If you read people's opinions, you'll notice sort of a trend. People who like the v67 tend to view it as an "unhyped" mic. People who like the 990 tend to like it for it's brightness and clarity.

On the other hand, people who don't like the v67 might refer to it as being muddy and indestinct in a mix, while those who don't like the 990 think just the opposite ; that' it's too bright or even harsh.

Draw your own conclusions from there. The truth on either mic is probably somewhere in between the extreme positive and extreme negative comments.

 

[anth0]

cheers

All I was concerned about was some kind of massive difference in quality or reason I shouldnt buy one/the other. Ive read a lot that the 990 is bright and the v67 is muddy. how would these two sounds lend themselves to vox/ac gtr? im sure once ive used the mic i buy I will be able to see these factors in progress but as for now im sorry for the newbie questions.
cheers again.

 

[chessrock]

Ive read a lot that the 990 is bright and the v67 is muddy. how would these two sounds lend themselves to vox/ac gtr?

Well, best-case scenario, one might be brighter and more distinct on voice and accoustic guitar, while the other might be a little rounder and less detailed.

Worst-case, you might find one to be harsh and the other to be muddy.

It just depends on your recording setup, room, source, processing ... everything, really, including personal taste. Do your accoustic guitar recordings, currently, sound dull and indestinct? If so then that might be a good reason to lean more towards the 990. Does your guitar sound too strident and your vocals too harsh on consonants and esses? If so, then that might be a good reason to lean towards something like a v67.

 

[gullfo]

I think chessrock hit it right - the v67 is "unhyped" - I find myself often added high end eq to it for some "cut" but I wouldn't say muddy, more like "flat". I don't have a 990 to compare it to but if your source is bright, then the v67 may work, if the source is dull or flat, then maybe the 990 will work. I do have a Behringer B-2 which in figure-8 mode is actually pretty decent - a slight rise on the high end but not too bright for a vox but I find it a bit too bit for my acoustic (which is somewhat bright to begin with) and but the v67 works perfect on it.

 

[anth0]

cool

i think ill go with the v67g after all it looks nicer my voice on other recordings is too sharp on the high end and my guitars are bright sounding already. Any other suggestions on what to buy next considering my setup? cheers all.

 

[xstatic]

Neither mic is incredible or anything, but I would certainly go with the V67. I find the 990 to be harsh no matter what the source signal. Kind of the definition of grainy.

 

[homestudioguy]

sE Electronics

If you can pick up a slighty used or even a new SE-2200A large diaphragm condensor by sE Electronics, you'd be much better served.
I picked one up on ebay for $120 U.S. a while back.
They are going for $299 U.S. new with a (nice) aluminum case and monstrous stand mount, etc
It would most likely satisfy your mic needs for quite a while.
If you are going to go the chinese mic route, I wouldnt suggest doing it any other way!!!
See my comments about it on my website if you'd like (Studio Stuff page).
http://mysite.verizon.net/homestudioguy
Bob Gallagher
PS-go to the sE Electronics website and read the reviews too!

 

[mrface2112]

while i wouldn't exactly call the V67 "muddy" in general, it does have this weird midrange "hashiness" going on. i like the tone of the mic a lot, but it's certainly a "situational" mic more than an "all around" mic.

it would certainly NOT be my first choice on an acoustic guitar.....unless that guitar was full of really nasty high end that needed taming (think: really cheap plywood guitar with brassy strings). on the acoustics i've used it on, there is indeed a bit of a muddiness.

i tend to find a much better use for the V67 on thin, nasally vocals that need a little fattening up.....in otherwords, i essentially agree with chess here. again, depending on the voice, that midrange hashiness might work to your favor or not.

see, when i first got the V67, i really loved the sound of it--and i thought it was an excellent mic--let alone "excellent for the price". and it IS an excellent mic on my voice--in a standalone context.....but when i got to using it in the context of a mix, i found something "wasn't quite right" about it......and then i heard that weird midrange. but it took me hearing it in the midst of a mix before i heard what others have said. still, tonally, i like it on my voice. and on a friend's voice, it worked very nicely in a live acoustic session.

my favorite use for the V67 is as a drum overhead. that weird midrange really helps it bring out the meat in a snare drum, and given that it's not hyped on the high-end like a lot of chinese mics, cymbals aren't piercing on it, either.

i don't have any experience with the 990, but from what i've read around here, it would seem to be the opposite of the V67, tonally speaking.

so does that make me a lover or a hater of the V67? neither, i suppose--it's definitely got its uses, and for some vocals it's quite good. for $100US, it's not a bad mic at all, and even better if you can get one used. there are certainly a LOT worse mics out there.


cheers,
wade

PS--spend the extra $20 and get a shockmount for it

 

[chessrock]

my favorite use for the V67 is as a drum overhead. that weird midrange really helps it bring out the meat in a snare drum, and given that it's not hyped on the high-end like a lot of chinese mics, cymbals aren't piercing on it, either.

My favorite use for it would be as a doorstop. But that's just a personal opinion.

 

[anth0]

ppl are telling me audio technica!

some people are saying go towards a at mic! what do these mxl's stand up against the audio technica's like?

 

[chessrock]

I think you're getting some good advice, there.

 

[TamaSabian]

I bought the 990 (my first condenser mic) 3 years ago I think. I was impressed the first time I used it, then I read some opinions on this forum that make me feel bad about it, I was influenced by, and I started to think that I made a bad decision. After working with it I have to say that it´s fine for me and it serves my needs. I know that a SM57 could do the job but the pre´s I got aren´t good enough to bring the max out of this workhorse mic, so I stay with the 990 until I have money to buy a real vocal mic.

TS

 

[gullfo]

some people are saying go towards a at mic! what do these mxl's stand up against the audio technica's like?

I have an AT3035 and it is probably my number one go-to mic - clean, smooth, not dull but not bright, just right in most cases. I usually start with that mic and then depending on how it sounds for something I'll switch off to the B-2 or V67, or even Shure 57/58 depending on what the sound is calling for. the AT3035 are about $199 in most online stores, but on ebay you might get them for less.

 

[mrface2112]

some people are saying go towards

people will have all kinds of opinions. the only real way to tell what mic will work best for you is to go and try a few out, and then buy the one that sounds best on your voice.

otherwise, you're going to get a bunch of different opinions, none of which may pertain to you in the least.


cheers,
wade

 

[Treeline]

Check this link out and it may help.

http://www.mxlmics.com/tech_advice/record_basics.pdf

 

[Lt. Bob]

Fact is .... what you do with it is more important than the mic when you're talking about cheap mics. I could get a decent sound out of either. But I like my V67 a lot .... especially on sax. Don't care for the 990 as much although I could EQ it to where it would sound ok.

 

[anth0]

excellent advice cheers

 

[altiris]

people will have all kinds of opinions. the only real way to tell what mic will work best for you is to go and try a few out, and then buy the one that sounds best on your voice.

otherwise, you're going to get a bunch of different opinions, none of which may pertain to you in the least.


cheers,
wade

How do you try them out? I mean most online store's have a no return policy on mic's per health laws. Even if you go to a music store do you really want to sing into a mic someone else spat into . I'm in the market for a mic and Im having a hard time making a choice based on reviews and opions I really dont want to buy something I cant return.

 

[79_Les_Paul]

Musicians Friend has the 990 for 49 bucks right now.... I ordered one with a couple of tube mp pre amps, I'll let you know in a week or so..

Have a great day!