MXL 990 Condenser Microphone Review [September 2022 ]

Before this MXL 990 condenser microphone, it was unheard of for a studio vocal mic to cost less than $110.

This MXL 990 condenser microphone has surprised users and even the manufacturers themselves with how well it performs.

On Amazon, it is currently going for $109.99 which is very affordable. Let’s learn more about the MXL 990 condenser microphone in this MXL 990 condenser mic review.

Review Contents

Basic Features

Dimensions: 5.11 x 2.36 x 1.00 inches
Types: Pressure Gradient Condenser Microphones
Polar Pattern: Cardioid
Sensitivity: 15mV/Pa
Diaphragm: 6 Micron Gold-Sputtered
Frequency Response: 30Hz~20kHz
Impedance: 200 Ohm
Equivalent Noise Level: 20dB
SNR: 80dB
Max SPL for 0.5% THD: 130dB
Power Requirements: 48V Phantom Power (+/-4V)
Current Consumption: Less than 3mA
Metal Finish: Champagne
Dimensions: 2.36 x 5.11″
Weight: 1.2 lb
Accessories Included: MXL 90 Shockmount, MXL MT-001 Hard Mount Mic Stand Adapter, Rugged Carry Case

Performance

When it comes to microphones, one needs to be extremely careful, if not, you will end up with a piece of junk with poor range and extremely terrible sound quality. This is however not a problem when you have this MXL 990 condenser microphone. It has a ¾” gold-sputtered diaphragm that ensures it produces a very professional sound.

MXL 990 Cardioid Condenser...

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Last update on 2022-09-25 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API

Whether one can sing or not, we all enjoy a tune or two from time to time. Just because you’re not all blessed with a good singing voice doesn’t mean you wouldn’t appreciate a microphone that would make you sound just a little bit better. The MXL 990 microphone has an amazing frequency response that gives your voice a thick rounded voice and makes it crisp while reducing the sharpness and nasal sound.

When recording, it is important to make sure that whatever you are recording can be heard clearly. This, therefore, means that you do not need interference from any background noises that may mess with the quality of your recording. Luckily, the MXL 990 condenser microphone with shockmount has a fixed cardioid pickup pattern that eliminates any background noises and only concentrates on picking up the voice right in front of it. This however should not be your only guarantee. Since the mic is extremely sensitive, it may pick up other noises if you’re in an extremely noisy environment so make sure you are not recording any sharp noises.

Every time we are using a microphone, we hope that everything we say will be captured exactly as we say it. However, there are some things we cannot change such as the sharpness of sound when we pronounce some letters such as ‘b’ and ‘t’. We can however be able to control how the microphone sounds when you say them. When you use the MXL 990 mic, you are advised to use a pop filter which will make sure that you’re a safe distance away from the microphone hence reducing the explosiveness of pronunciation.

There is a very misguided notion that expensive means quality. This is the misguided idea that just because something is expensive, then it must be good. This is not always the case as with the MXL 990 condenser microphone. It costs below $100 and performs a lot better than most of the other expensive ones. Unless you’re a real audiophile, you’d easily confuse it with the higher priced microphones.

MXL 990 vs 770

These two microphones have sparked quite the debate among users and most cannot decide which of the two they should purchase. Let’s look at a comparison;

Differences;

The 770 has a lower signal to noise ratio
MXL990 has a lower maximum sound pressure level

Similarities;

The same equivalent noise
Equal frequency response
Similar sensitivity
The same tube type

What is Good about the MXL 990?

Amazing sound quality
It is very affordable

What is Bad about it?

It is extremely sensitive and can pick the tiniest sound.

What is my Opinion?

I have come across numerous MXL 990 condenser microphone reviews and they all agree that this microphone is the best there is considering how affordable it is and how well it performs.

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