Mike's Mics: MXL 2001

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

MXL 2001

Another microphone, with which I’ve had good results in acoustic applications, is the MXL 2001. The basic MXL 2001 is discontinued, but has been replaced by the MXL 2001A and is currently available as a package deal with the MXL 600 (if I can get hold of a sample of the MXL 600, I will review it as well). Even still, the MXL 2001’s are readily available on EBay for about $60.00/each.

I find the MXL 2001 to have a very smooth and slightly “warmer” sound compared to the MXL 990; however, the MXL 2001 does seem to have a very slight midrange emphasis – which is not at all objectionable. My experience shows the MXL 2001 to compliment the sound of reed instruments and low brass (tenor and bass trombone, euphonium, tuba, Sousaphone).

As with many of the inexpensive Chinese condenser mics, the MXL 2001 makes a very good platform for modification. Here is an example of one of these modification projects that converts the MXL 2001 into a tube mic requiring a dedicated, external power supply.

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Mike's Mics

Here, you'll find reviews of inexpensive condenser and ribbon microphones with the emphasis on acoustic instruments. If you’re a pianist, percussionist, clarinetist, harpist, violinist, trombonist, etc., this blog may give you enough helpful information to make a more informed decision regarding which budget-priced studio microphone will work best for you.

Most online user reviews of inexpensive studio microphones seem to relate only to how these mics sound on drums, electric guitar cabs and vocals. There is relatively little information about how these microphones work on acoustic instruments and ensembles.

There are currently only a few companies in China that build most of the inexpensive condenser and ribbon microphones available here in the United States. They are almost always “rebadged” and sold under various company monikers (MXL, Nady, Behringer, Apex – to name a few).

There’s an unfortunate tendency to sneer and bad-mouth any equipment that comes from China, particularly microphones. Some of this is justified as quality control is frequently inconsistent and noticeable variations in the sonic character of these Chinese microphones can be very noticeable between samples of the same make and model.

Inexpensive Chinese microphones certainly don’t compare to the high-dollar “boutique” microphones by Neumann and Telefunken. Nonetheless, the overall quality of these inexpensive microphones is surprisingly good for their price range and many of them prove quite adequate for acoustic instrument/ensemble recording projects.

The question then becomes,” Should I spend $5,000.00 on a microphone when a $500.00 microphone will work almost as well?” Yes, the $5,000.00 Neumann U87 will sound better, but does it sound $4,500.00 better? For many musicians on a tight budget (like me), the answer is almost always no.

If you play an acoustic instrument, this blog will hopefully give you enough helpful information so you can make a more informed decision regarding which budget-priced studio microphone will work best for you.

Enjoy.