junplugged
Taking the slow road
Well, I just finally got one. And I don't know what I'm doing with it. It seems darker, than my ss condensers, but I don't want any of my new mics to sound like any of my old mics, that would be useless....
cellardweller
New member
in my hand or when inserted....... 
junplugged
Taking the slow road
How'd u get so much rep power?cellardweller said:in my hand or when inserted.......
cellardweller
New member
being charming and smiling pretty...
R
rdozz
New member
What type of tube mic did you get? I love my MXL V69 and on some voices, I get all teary eyed...soooo sweet and smooth..
Rob
Rob
S
sdelsolray
Active member
My first tube condenser was quite an eye opener, although I believe it was simply because it was a high quality mic. I now have three different tube mics, and several different SS mics. I like them all.
junplugged
Taking the slow road
you got the 69? I just got the 960, I had to, I really wanted a tube mic and this was on sale. Great reason, right? Well, also I heard at least a couple of good things so I did it. Thing is huge for a mic, and gets warm, they suggest uing it inverted.rdozz said:
I know it's better on my vox than ac. guitar, but got throat ill day after I got it and just been trying w/ guit.... will do more in a few days,.
R
rdozz
New member
I would love to hear more about the 960, when you get to feeling better.
Rob
Rob
E
EleKtriKaz
Home (w)Rec'r
I touched it...and it felt warm. Sorry, I couldn't resist.
Seriously though, my first mic period was a Rode NTK. I didn't realize how good it was until I got some other mics. Really great vocal mic, among other things. It has a "space" around the sound that my solid state condensors don't have.
Seriously though, my first mic period was a Rode NTK. I didn't realize how good it was until I got some other mics. Really great vocal mic, among other things. It has a "space" around the sound that my solid state condensors don't have.
O
Olflattop
New member
I couldn’t help but inject an opinion on the MXL 960. I’ve stayed away from Chinese-manufactured mics in the past (with good reason, IMO) but I had to jump at this one only because it’s so ridiculously cheap. When I received it I thought I’d do a comparison with the NTK since that mic is fairly ubiquitous and an exceptional value at $500.
First, the build quality of the 960 is good. It’s obviously modeled after the U47 so it’s quite large and weighs in at pretty close to two pounds. The internal components and wiring are neat, and the tube is mounted in a socket with rubber retainers at top and bottom. Overall internal and external workmanship are better than I had expected. It would be a difficult task to approach the same the level of build quality as that of the NTK at this price, but it’s good, nonetheless.
I used the (reasonably-priced but very good) Presonus Eureka recording channel and sent to a DPS24. Since the NTK is bumped at 2-5kHz and again at 10kHz I was curious how the 960 was EQ’d. This mic is probably intended mostly for male vocal and acoustic guitar as it’s voiced similarly as the NTK, but has a considerable boost above 10kHz, so it has quite a bit more sparkle. As you approach the diaphragm (within 6”) the proximity effect becomes quite pronounced—more so than the NTK, and the vocals can get a bit honky (unlike the NTK), but at 8-10” it’s very nice indeed. The 960 is also just a little more sensitive than the NTK.
This has become more of a critique than I expected, but I am surprised at the quality of this mic. I don’t know how it compares to its MXL tube mic siblings as I’ve never used them, but if any of the opinions I’ve read that this mic is “darker” or “not as hyped” are true I’d have to say that MXL did the right thing by taming it a bit. The NTK would probably be a better general-duty condenser (slightly flatter, better SPL) but the 960 is inspiring and an unbelievable deal under $200.
BTW, re the poll—what’s “tubey” sound like?
First, the build quality of the 960 is good. It’s obviously modeled after the U47 so it’s quite large and weighs in at pretty close to two pounds. The internal components and wiring are neat, and the tube is mounted in a socket with rubber retainers at top and bottom. Overall internal and external workmanship are better than I had expected. It would be a difficult task to approach the same the level of build quality as that of the NTK at this price, but it’s good, nonetheless.
I used the (reasonably-priced but very good) Presonus Eureka recording channel and sent to a DPS24. Since the NTK is bumped at 2-5kHz and again at 10kHz I was curious how the 960 was EQ’d. This mic is probably intended mostly for male vocal and acoustic guitar as it’s voiced similarly as the NTK, but has a considerable boost above 10kHz, so it has quite a bit more sparkle. As you approach the diaphragm (within 6”) the proximity effect becomes quite pronounced—more so than the NTK, and the vocals can get a bit honky (unlike the NTK), but at 8-10” it’s very nice indeed. The 960 is also just a little more sensitive than the NTK.
This has become more of a critique than I expected, but I am surprised at the quality of this mic. I don’t know how it compares to its MXL tube mic siblings as I’ve never used them, but if any of the opinions I’ve read that this mic is “darker” or “not as hyped” are true I’d have to say that MXL did the right thing by taming it a bit. The NTK would probably be a better general-duty condenser (slightly flatter, better SPL) but the 960 is inspiring and an unbelievable deal under $200.
BTW, re the poll—what’s “tubey” sound like?
junplugged
Taking the slow road
Hey, cool, that's alsmost the same thoughts I had about it. I am also impressed with the quality. It's also good to know that you have the same EQ idea that I got from it, at least these 2 are consistent in terms of quality.
For the insane price it's amazing that it has all that heavy hardware, the case is nice, the power supply, the mutli conductor cable, and an xlr, the mic itself is substantial too. No shock mount tho. The adaptor is sufficient maybe a little annoying but it works. I like that the powersupply has a switch and an led on the other side to show it's on.
They should sell lots of this mic at that price, people who never had a condenser or a tube condenser really need to jump on this, just for these reasons alone. But there are other low-cost tube mics too, just not sure if they have any good reviews, I'll be auditioning this thing for a long time.
For the insane price it's amazing that it has all that heavy hardware, the case is nice, the power supply, the mutli conductor cable, and an xlr, the mic itself is substantial too. No shock mount tho. The adaptor is sufficient maybe a little annoying but it works. I like that the powersupply has a switch and an led on the other side to show it's on.
They should sell lots of this mic at that price, people who never had a condenser or a tube condenser really need to jump on this, just for these reasons alone. But there are other low-cost tube mics too, just not sure if they have any good reviews, I'll be auditioning this thing for a long time.
O
Olflattop
New member
Right, John--I neglected to mention the power supply, cables, and reasonably attractive case. I usually prefer a mic clip to the shock mount anyway, so there was nothing lost for me.