MXL 2003

The MXL 2003 Condenser mic was made for recording acoustic guitars (mostly). A lot of people will record instruments with a regular vocal mic (not that there is anything wrong with that) but there are mics out there that are built for specific applications yet they serve a dual or multiple purposes.

Decent sized condenser capsule
3 micro diaphragm (gold)
Balanced Output
10-dB pad Bass cut
Comes with shock mount
3 position Switch


OVERALL OPINION

A pretty good condenser mic if you are working with a limited budget. I had a chance to work with this mic during a sound designing session and I wasn't too impressed with it because it very unpredictable. I found that if you recorded 5-6 inches away from it then it recorded very well but any further it seemed to pick up less of source and if you boosted the preamp it would get noises. This wasn't the amp or the surrounding it was the mic it self. Another odd flaw that I noticed is if you got to close to the mic the vocals would sound muffled. Keep in mind the distance comparisions were when recording vocals (male). When it came to recording instruments it shinned, not as clear as other mics but it did it's job well. If you stay centered on the mic it sounds really good. Some people complain about the recording not picking up so well on the sides of the mic and that's is because this is not a omni directional microphone. So the clarity isn't going to sound the same when directing sound toward different positions of the mic. One thing this mic is great at recording aside from guitars is drums. It works wonders when it comes to over head mic drumming as well as percussive instruments.

The microphone is really easy to use just make sure you have the following for best results

good recording area
phantom power
preamp
pop filter
good cables

I stress good cables and preamps a preamp can make a mic sound a lot better and if you have bad cables you're going to have a lot bad noise in your recording. Oh and last make sure your outlets are grounded. That's just general information but it's good to know.

When I first hooked up the MXL it blew me away. The clearness of the mic is absolutely beautiful. Our band practices in a bedroom that can barely fit all the members and there equipment. When we played it picked up absolutely ZERO background noise. Very surprising considering im standing within arms reach of the bass and guitar amps. I would suggest to all that don’t want to spend to much money on a quality mic to buy this one. It does the job that many mics costing 100's more would do. Very good buy. Try it you will be satisfied 100%. Also I got the package with the directional mic as well. The directional is exceptional. I use it for my table work. Picks up the drums so clear and perfect.

OVERALL OPINION


If you don’t have money for a high quality mic and this is all you can afford than this'll do but make sure you have an ANALOG mixer of some sort to provide the phantom power... plus, it picks up all sorts of external noises so keep it away from the computer, and if you have time and resources put together a vocal booth and your good to go. Just make sure you are standing in a good position when you record, if you tend to get off to the side of the mic the quality will be affected for some reason. I am not sure if that’s normal or if its because the mic isn’t a higher end mic. But if you keep good spacing and distance from the mic itself and have a well treated area then you will have great sounding clean crisp warm vocals to build your projects off of. But if you can save up a little more cash and get a high quality mic that doesn’t have to have an acoustically treated room. Especially if your like most of us and record from home.

Hello

For those who do not look at the price and open their ears:
MXL MXL 2003 or 2003 A (+5 dB power but ditto color) is one of the best microphones in the world!
Point bar!
First off circumstances test does not mean anything!
So those who try "in fact" they must be taking the same comparison, and integration testing in an existing mix and mastering to really conclude!
This is what I did for 30 years with almost all the microphones on the market! and yes! ...
(See my KR if necessary 2005: 350 microphones already tested, etc ...)
The MXL 2003 20Hz/23KHz 146dB / A Version: 152dB wins hands down in all areas:
Taking singing nearby (modern) and all distances
Choirs 2 or 3 etc.
Over Head / Head over against: Drums, all Sections of brass or bows ... Choirs ...
MXL 2003 A: Toms bass or other toms, Snare ...
Taking Acoustic Guitar
Piano, 2 or 4 pair of MXL
Before HP Guitar kind JVM410 Engl Mesa, etc.
Even before a Ampeg Bass: MXL 2003A
Strength:
color
nervousness
modernity
Balance
Easy mixing
clarity to the mix / mastering
low fat and perfect medium
MXL 2003A saturates almost never (MXL 2003 tom + SN than on Jazz or Pop jack but not a drummer Rock / Metal for example)
The union of a MXL 2003 Avalon 737SP, or Millenia STT1 or Voxbox Manley gives the best results among the world. Ie with a tube preamp + mic without lamp ideal for nervous signal.
The equivalent color is a little different to the mix re-balanced with:
Neumann TLM 107, T-bone T3000 (excellent but lamps), AKG 420, C412, C414 (its different color), Brauner Phantom (V), Shure C800, etc ... and Manley Cardioid black remaining invincible, but it is not the same price.

Thank you
Olivier Marot
600 Albums 2000 Concerts, Film 300 AV.

OVERALL OPINION

Used since its release