Customer Reviews

MXL 990/991 Recording Microphone Package

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I produce music for a living and normally write only at my studio. Recently I became interested in having a basic laptop rig for home and I picked up this mic package based on some reviews. When I got them home I had found that they were an excellent value. They're really quite good sounding with lots of detail in the high end. Again, this is considering price- if they were $1,000 for the pair it would be an incredible ripoff. Of course I should state the obvious: These will not sound like a high-end Neumann, Lawson, or Telefunken mic costing many, many, times the price of these mics. That said, they're only $99! I bought two packs and have found they work very nicely in stereo pairs. There seems to be a large influx of inexpensive condensor mics coming in from overseas (particularly Asia) which IMHO are miles better than similarly-priced competition from Europe. However, if you want a Neumann U87, you have to buy one. While the high end on these are nice for the price it does have a bit of a synthetic sound to it at times, and lacks the smoothness of some of the much higher end mics. That said, the pair of these cover much sonic ground; you can use them for most instruments. Drums would be inadvisable unless you were using two matched larger ones as overheads.

This is the type of package I would strongly recommend to the hobbyist because of the price to performance ratio. I -wish- that something like this had existed when I was in high school, just getting into recording. It would make a great gift for the budding enthusiast.

1st The bigger one has the same size capsule as the smaller one. It has a better bass response due to mounting. Neither of these is a Large Diaphram Condenser, but they can get you some higher frequency response in your recordings. The 990, with its larger frame lends itself to many mods and there are even a few companies that will get it sounding quite good compared to $800 SDCs. If you have a PC/or DigitalWorkstation set up this could get you started getting things recorded fairly quickly but in the long run you are better off with with an Audix i5 or Shure SM57 and then one of the LDC's from AKG Perception , Oktava Mk219 or Mk319 or an inexpensive MXL, Marshal, or Rode. If you are looking for recording drums you might get usable results with these using the recorderman technique and a kick drum mic. They are usable but a LDC or even SM58 would be better on vocals. On acoustic instruments they might shine better than most <$100 dynamics. I picked them up when I needed OH's in a pinch last year. Take what I say as personal opinion. They may be great for you but they aren't the smoothest or the cleanest but they are better than nothing if that is the situation. Save and buy better if you can.

I have had no experience with mics except that I am a avid listener of music and I could recognize if something sounded aweful. I am very happy to report for a $100 this package is a great start in home recording. I'm doing a podcast and some light guitar recording and it works like a charm.

I've been working in radio broadcasting for about 6 years in my life..so when I'm telling you this is a decent deal, you should trust me.
Given the price, the sound of the MXL 990 and 991 is more than fair..is more than I expected.
With a bit of touch you can capture instruments and voice like a pro.I would say 90-95% ..you are there.
Since these mics require phantom power, be sure you have your mixer equipped with phantom power or buy a pre-amp that has one.Also you will probably need a tripod as well.Don't be cheap on cables - bad ones can pickup ground noise or other noise..if possible use balanced connections between your mixer and your computer..(if that's what you using for recording).Other than that..warm, round sound..you have to play with them until you get your perfect sound.I rarely give 5 star to a product, that's the reason for 4 out of 5.
I've been using them to capture acoustic guitar and voice.

I bought this condenser mic. combo-set about two years ago. I had received an interface (fire-wire, from guitar/mic to computer)the previous Christmas and decided it was time for a serious equip upgrade. The problem? I was low on funds. However, per a serendipitous find at my local guitar boutique, I came across this Microphone set. The salesman had me questioning my buy by offering precautions against cheaply priced equip. (he worked on commission) but at the end of the day price won over quality and I sauntered back to my recording den with the MXL 991/990 (pair) in hand.
Aside from the jaunty carrying case and foam buffers, the set was straight forward: One Uni-directional Mic, One Choir Mic (cables sold separately). I opened, plugged(P48 req.), and tested. The microphones were great! The lows were fat and highs were crystal clear. The 990 is great for vocals and the 991 is great for instruments. I have no professional studio practice to speak of, but from my experience, both mics. have extremely dynamic properties and are great for either @home or in-studio recording. This set is great for the low budget aspiring artist, or money strapped pod-caster.

Well, I purchased this set with a tascam us-144 bundle when I first started recording on my laptop using cubase as the DAW. At first I was amazed by the clarity, and just simply the fact that I was recording. As time progressed, I noticed I spent a lot of time playing with the E.Q. on my vocals... for some reason they seemed dull, or muffled, or how many describe muddy. I recently purchased a Rode NT1 and it too is amazing me.

I spent some time recording through the MXL at the same level as I'd record through the Rode, and the difference was the same as VHS to Blue-Ray. Now comparing a Rode to the MXL, atleast the two series im evaluating, is rather unfair, but what it did show me is what people where talking about when it came to muddy, or highs, or color.

The MXL 990 is what i used for vocals, and it got the job done for about 2 years, and the the 991 i used for acoustic guitar which did exceptional. I know theres better out there, but for the 990 being around $50 its not a bad starter, but thats what it is... a starter. there durable, the case is pretty solid, but to be safe keep every mic covered to protect the capsule. Id imagine I could still use this mic paired with the NT1 to catch more lows, but thats yet to be expiramented with.
I research a lot, and im not very savy, but I love this type of stuff. If you have any questions, I'd be more than happy to try and help. (penpalanonamouse@yahoo.com)

This is a great deal for those looking to record acoustic guitar and vocals. The vocals mic works great even without a pop filter. The instrument mic is small but records very well. They come in a nice and small case with two stand hook ups. The best part is that they are very cheap but still produce a good sounding recording.

I found the MXL mic package to be very versitile as well as affordable. Great buy great combo

The sound quality on this mic is great im really glad i got it and for the value i got it. Definitely worth while.

i have been into recording for about 20yrs now, and had never had a condensor mic, i must say, its a huge difference. even over a sm57 or 58. nice and clean sound. and as far as know most condensor mics do require phantom power, good news here though, you can find tube mic pre amps with phantom for a descent price, and it does improve the sound of the mic(even moreso than installed phantom on digital recorders) i recieved these mics, along w a set of fostex pm04monitors, w two stands, two xlrs, and a set of headphones for 212$ from musicians friend.
trickle down technology! please trickle down.