MXL 990 USB Microphone Review

[mcloven83]

Never mind I just read comments below. Your speaking into the wrong side. Fail

[mcloven83]

I don't no if it's your room or gain but you sound muffled

[RankOne0121]

what a twat lmao, you're speaking into the back of it

[bandabend]

PUTZ ALGUEM DA O MANUAL PARA ELE . ... BRINCADEIRA

[dikkeleowassenaar]

you are speaking to the backsite!

[ToneyDaRapper1995]

epic fail LMFAO

[waterbuggg]

can anyone send me that pre amp software for a mac?

[CantFearWontFear]

It's quiet and your making it look bad because you talk into the back of it. And it's a unidirectional mic!!!

[ZZWWW23]

@CantFearWontFear

Is funny how he says this mic is good for begginers as if he was a proffesional and he uses it backwards what a waste

[bgomz]

Hey I've seen a bunch of videos mention something about phantom power and I was wondering if you could explain to me exactly what that is?

[stratd00d]

@bgomz

Mics that contain active electronics require a power source. Phantom power provides that power by transmitting a DC electric signal through the XLR cable of the mic. This means that you don't have to have an extra power supply for the mic; the power can simply be supplied through the cable. In order to use a mic that requires phantom power, you obviously need a preamp or interface that is capable of supplying phantom power. Most preamps you come across will have this.

[triggerdance]

please someone help me i really want this mic but cannot find the usb version in the uk anywhere!!!!!!!!!

[crolhlub]

thank you for this review... i was having second thoughts about buying it...

[crolhlub]

does it collect a lot of background noise???

[bboy2490]

I got that MXL 3000 (:

[Reverse61]

I think its better to have xlr input then usb

[DennyVMusic2K11]

its a USB mic not a condenser idiot, condenser its a fatter cable that goes into a fast track or mixer

[stratd00d]

@DennyVMusic2K11

It is a condenser mic, and it has nothing to do with the cable size or whether it connects by USB. A condenser mic has a diaphragm that is vibrated by sound. That diaphragm is one of the plates of a capacitor. When the diaphragm moves, we can measure the change in distance between the plates and translate that into a signal. That's how this mic works, so it is indeed a condenser.

[mmazed]

Your mic is backwards.

Problem?

[flargrbargr]

yeah so. i realize you intentionally put it backwards. but reviewing this mic backwards for the WHOLE video really defeats the purpose, no? showing us the logo for 10 seconds then flipping it around back to normal would be quite sufficient. yes its nice to hear your thoughts about the mic and the stuff it comes with, but its be cooler if we could hear what you think clearly with the mic facing forward...

[saunagamer]

Your microphone is set up backwards.

[Lucio5150]

Should we put our microphone backwards too? hahahahaha..

[emmanceb]

hey, i think ur mic is backward :(

[krisgay1973]

Who cares if we can see the damn logo? You are showing the mic's quality with it turned BACKWARDS for recording so it sounds like CRAP.

[toolbass24]

just to piss you off: Your mic is backwards :)

[UGM63MUSIC]

will this work on audacity

[AustinTV4real]

@UGM63MUSIC yes. even a guitar hero mic works in audacity.

[ssj33gokuu]

dude this work on PC?

[CrazyPiker]

You want to let the viewer listen to the sound the mic produces, not the logo.

[commentman789]

Should I get the USB one or the XLR one? Which one will I get better quality with?

[jef539475]

screw the haters man they wouldnt try to help anyone like you have,thats probably all thier lives are about (criticism), so thankyou and keep doing what your doing we need and appreciate folks like you out there helpig us ijits

[sanjosefan20]

is it this quiet or is it because you have it backwards? (i know you have it backwards on purpose) XD

[mRSileNces]

he looks like Wanye Houchin

[therealneon]

I'mma say this just to annoy you..."YOUR MIC IS BACKWARDS!" xD lol

[ERyan806]

I just bought the MXL 990-S. Its uses XLR cable and not USB. Its a condenser mic with cardioid pattern. Other differences from the MXL 990 is the 990-S includes a

-10dB pad as well as a 150Hz low cut switch. It does not include the mini stand but instead it comes with a shock mount and mic stand adapter. Still waiting on the mic in the mail. When it arrives I will post a review. The price of this mic $89 USD.

[enterthevoid86]

Is this a good mic to do death metal singing to?

[guitarhero419]

hey is this only usb? or can it be plugged into a regular mic cable with the three things?

[edralde]

bro hahaha your mic is grrrr backwards LOL!!!

[aznargo]

The cheapest one I've found is $59.99 on musician's friend (though there might be a cheaper one out there, maybe even on eBay). It comes with a shock mount and adapter, and I don't believe it has the mini stand. :D

[CraigTube]

I think you should put up an annotation telling people that you are not talking into the right side of the mic. That way you stop being bothered with people reminding you. I was just about to point out that it was backwards, until I read the comments. An annotation would solve this.

[redrrimmed91]

fuck the usb get the 990 phantom it is suprisingly better than the usb...also sounds like u need the shockmount too

[jacaboii]

thats embarrising mic is on backwards. but appreciate the review just make sure you sound check first.

[mik8y]

what mic would sound best for rap within the limits of 300 bucks? someone hit me up thanks

[redrrimmed91]

@mik8y the mxl 990 or the or the mxl 2000 or if u have real money, any kind of neuman large diaphram

[iAmR3alMUZIK1]

Uhhh.. Hey guy who thinks he's doin a good review on a mic he only thinks he knows how to use...THE MIC IS BACKWARDS!!!!!

[MissMaggieLicious]

you need to speak up......... so hard to hear

[RipSTXiceman]

When i record on Audacity the volume is low. So i have to amplify it but then there is way to much static. Any Help?

[4543563]

It's backwards my man.

[KLUBmusic]

why do people who have no idea what they are talking about feel like they need to post videos about obvious things about products that aren't even very good. especially when you have the mic backwards. i know people have said it and you know it too but seriously..... rookie mistake man! well good luck lol

[Zhokul]

@KLUBmusic The MXL 990 is a beast for it's cost!

[KLUBmusic]

@Zhokul

I wouldnt say a beast for it's cost, i would say its good that people dont have to pay more than $100 for it lol. its funny how people are decieved into thinking crappy mics are really good.

[simsdogg92]

@KLUBmusic actually if you know how to mess around with sound you can get decent quality recordings out of it. but you have to mess around with your recordings.

[KLUBmusic]

@simsdogg92 im sure it could sound decent, a lot depends on how well your ear is trained and what you are trying to acheive but for this mic you would have to mess around a lot and then it starts to sound unnatural, but you wouldnt be able to tell because you messed with it so much that you forget how the recording should sound, and then someone listens and says wow that sounds kinda weird. and then you are like dang i hear it now, i shouldn't have used the mxl 990

but for demos its great haha

[simsdogg92]

@KLUBmusic i usually only put a compressor on my vocals when i record. it still sounds natural. i use a compressor to even the sound out. i have to admit i've heard way better and i've used worse. it's not "studio quality" but it gets the job done for what i use it for. i do it only for the love of music and don't plan on making money

[KLUBmusic]

@simsdogg92 i can respect that :D

[zyryllabeto]

hi! i just bought a mxl 990 usb condenser mic and i have a laptop i want to record song on video with it.i dunno how to properly set up my mic when im using it and im recording on video its like i dont have a mic..can u plas help me do i need anything else in order for me to record my song with my mic u can check my video so ull know what i mean..pls rply

[Danimercdoeswork1]

what interface do you use?

[dECisivE6]

i didnt get dhat cord.! nd my case wuhzz blaCC.!

509 area reppin ndd ill battle yhh on dha mic anyday c^uhzz.!

tryen to get wet if u tryen to catch myy drift.! if u knoe whutt ii mean

[IAmBland]

You really sound like you know what you're talking about. Thanks for posting this. I just bought the XLR version, with a pop filter. Plan to use it for my bass drum/vocals.

[LILMONEYP100]

hey guys if a buy this mic is it going to work if i plug in directly into my computer please let me know cause i heard some people said i need a mixer for it i want to know before i but it please let me know guys .

[uptown5015]

i got mines for 40

[1133kay]

@uptown5015 mines is not a word the correct grammar is mine

[brianhoorn]

I got mine for $70. Came with a shock mount.

Mine's not USB though. No software. Had to buy a preamp. However, the quality on mine is noticeably better.

[slashoasis156]

nicely explained brother, I just bought one of those mikes today, but mine is not USB, do you know how can I record songs to my computer using the regular mike, (the one I got) I also read I need some panthom power, I don't even know what that is, can you help me with that, I'd really appreciate it, what cables would I need?

[invisiblePerson99]

how much did you buy for that mic? please respond

[darklotus666x]

i hear a slight echo.

[SeanjWalker]

hey man, I have a problem recording with this mic, but im thinking its something having to do with my settings. it's like 2 weeks old, and i used to be able to record clear vocals fine, now when i record the vocals come up as short, distorted cracks instead. any idea whats wrong? im new to this.

[javieralza]

can you only use usb, or can i use it with an xlr input or camera mini jack

[realjuvelive]

Why do they use this circle in front of mic always ? O_o

[Tonglee12]

@realjuvelive uh so that spit and stuff doesnt get into the mic lol :P pop filter

[nanakon28]

@realjuvelive watch?v=mlu57_0-Z0U and it will all make sense. Tonglee12 only gave you 50% of its true purpose.

[Flipjunkie1]

Dude , did you know the mic is backward's ?  J/k man ! thanks for the review very informative !

[cgambarrotti]

What did he say?

[valeriantd]

thanks maan, exactly what I wanted to hear... great review!

[Lextant]

uhh, i think ur mic is backwards. ;/

[thehornypuppy]

If i wanted to see the fucking microphone don't you think i would go look for pictures on the web? I WANT TO LISTEN TO IT! At least you aren't playing some shitty pop song like all the other videos out there.

[RikMeister650]

dude, your mic is backwards. -__-

[Oathbreakingninja]

Hey dude... No ones probably told you this yet. But your mic is backwards. xD

[sl33p1987]

yo i went to your page on myspace theres no songs i wanted to hear how this microphone sounds in a song because i need to get a mic so can you send me a song or post up on your page so i can hear it?

[MRshoz1]

would this work with garageband 4 the mac?

[BSLP11]

I ordered mine the other day!! Excitement!!.....Next, I'll order a pop filter...Lol I paid 50 bucks..

[iSNEVEET]

Your mic is backwards -.-

[InsightSkate]

@iSNEVEET said this a thousand times already... i know. i did that so the viewer can see the front. you can see that i use it normally in all my other videos... and for the purposes of this video it wouldnt make a big difference.

[erics270]

@InsightSkate

Boy people sure didn't pay much attention. Givin ya a real hard time.

[CoDisafishy]

@InsightSkate why would we need to see the front? No offence but I don't believe you

[derracsdl]

@iSNEVEET I have to say it too, how come so many people think that condenser mics are like dynamic mics? you can't simply speak any where into the mic it has a front where the mic is facing and the back is closed off. I've seen videos with people holding a condenser mic in their hand and singing into the top!! best advice to newbies is take a flashlight and shine it in the screen and you will see. I'm not hating on anyone. I'm just saying and yes Insight I saw what you wrote.

[KalanDath]

Your MIC is backwards.... Maybe thats why there is so many contradicting reviews of this MIC because retards buy expensive equipment they don't know how to use

[ZZWWW23]

@KalanDath

Some retards dont even know a microphone is never backwards it works all the way around dummy

[j3nningz54]

@ZZWWW23 well that is wrong that only is true if it is a dynamic microphone. this is not and when you read the back of the box the pickup aura is meaning that his mic is backwords.

[ZZWWW23]

@j3nningz54

well mam how about you do the microphone video the right way go do it your self

[Waterpistol101]

1) Can you please make some demos of f.e. Rap, singing, and instruments mith your mike please. I really think to by this mic.

2) Do you know whats the difference between this mic and the MXL 2006? thank you

[skateordiecastro]

im not good on mics but what is the black thing behind the mic that your talkin to called and whats it for?

[InsightSkate]

@skateordiecastro i believe i explained that in the video... its a pop filter... takes out the sharpness of p's and t's etc... pretty much a necessity for talking closely to the mic

[infamousGriff]

Would it make a decent overhead drum mic?

[SmackHisAss]

u retard..ur talking on the wrong side!!

[InsightSkate]

@SmackHisAss holy crap... do you not read descriptions, annotations, or comments? I KNOW how to use a mic, that was so that the viewer can see the logo and what the mic looks like from the front.

[mason092]

@InsightSkate I don't think that's a good idea if you want to accurately show the mic. People are more interested in the sound than what the logo looks like.

[thehornypuppy]

@InsightSkate Couldn't you just have added a picture? I can't hear shit...

[boudo2006]

@SmackHisAss he is lol

[LameROMEO]

I'm thinking whether to get This or Samson C01U .

Which one would you prefer ?

[InsightSkate]

@LameROMEO not really a big fan of samson's, so i'd go with this

[Domindian2829]

i just played around with the settings. I dont have the USB one, but i figured it out in a lil while and it was ready to go. i really like it

[RayJones215]

OK I HAVE A MXL 99O THAT NEEDS AN INTERFACE. & I'VE BEEN GETTING A LOT OF LAG ISSUES ALONG WITH THE EASIEST EDITING PROGRAMS NOT BEING ABLE TO SUPPORT MY AUDIO DRIVERS? DID YOU HAVE ANY OF THESE PROBLEMS????

[InsightSkate]

@RayJones215 Not with the USB one

[InsightSkate]

@BludStatic123 already answered something like this below... I know, I just used the side without the logo specifically for this review... for visual purposes... in the other videos that I use it, its facing the right way

[JAF596]

Nice vid bro

But i need to know If this microphone is easy to set up on music programs such as logic, pro tools....? Let me know plz

[jdude7721]

FUCK YOU

[TheProphycee]

does it come with a cable?. and tha circle thing that u put in front of it.?

[InsightSkate]

@TheProphycee comes with a 6ft cable, but no pop filter

[Dedication3jkt]

Great review i think im going to buy it now!

[TheKero12345]

thank you

and does this mic record high instruments well (high pitch) like flute? does it handle high pitch well? 

[TheKero12345]

since the microphone is usb powered and not phantom powered, is there any differance?

[InsightSkate]

@TheKero12345 I believe technically there are slight differences, but none noticeable during recording or playback

[TheOfficialStonebull]

how big is the cable

[InsightSkate]

@TheOfficialStonebull I believe its 6' maybe more

[InsightSkate]

@TheOfficialStonebull I believe its 6' maybe more

[kingofkeyboards]

great review man!

[InsightSkate]

@kingofkeyboards Thanks :D

[gregoryhyde561]

i have a question

when you plug your mic inside your usb port and then plug your headphones into your computer does your headphones work

mine do not do yours or what do you do to get both to work

[InsightSkate]

@gregoryhyde561 mine do work... idk what would be wrong actually :( do they work when its not plugged in?

[TrakHustla]

im planning on gettin one of these for my home studio.....im using Cool Edit Pro for recording.....i Rap and i need crisp clean vocals......thx for the video.....im plannin on gettin 2 pop filters

[InsightSkate]

@TrakHustla sounds good :) i would invest in a good editing program if i were you... i use adobe audition... its pricey, but worth the extra bucks... you can also torrent them lol

[TrakHustla]

@InsightSkate ......i had adobe audition and i didnt like it.....but thx

[javet]

@InsightSkate I bought the non usb one with a behringer mixer with phantom power do I still need a preamp?

[InsightSkate]

@javet You should be good with that setup :)

[Sephiroth1984]

This reverb is weird. Maybe it's the room.

It seems hard to find a USB mic that gets rid of those obnoxious "S" and "T" shrill harshness. I listened to the Blue Snowball and that's what I noticed big time.

[InsightSkate]

@Sephiroth1984 go to my myspace and listen to the quality there, it should be better. its myspace slash arowemusic

[jasonloden]

I just ordered this mic but I really don't want to use the tripod, do you know any inexpensive stand or w/e you have? thanks

[InsightSkate]

@jasonloden I'd just go to guitar center, or guitar center online and get the cheapest boom stand they have. (the boom comes in handy)

[lilcs26]

how long is the usb plug

[InsightSkate]

@lilcs26 I should've mentioned that haha... its acutally pretty long, like 7 or 8 ft. and its a standard plug, so if thats not long enough for you, itll be easy to buy another

[godzola]

dude. Its backwards. Lol

[InsightSkate]

@godzola that was on purpose :) so you can see the front of the mic

[felipipi]

50 bucks on Amazon... i just got one

[InsightSkate]

@felipipi thats an awesome deal!

[felipipi]

@InsightSkate Hey dude, mine is not USB, is XLR, what do i need to make the hole set up to my mac ??? thanks

[InsightSkate]

@felipipi you'll need to buy a usb interface

[ncpproductions]

@felipipi if you have the XLR version you'll need a mixer with phantom power to power it

[InsightSkate]

@ncpproductions alot of the USB interfaces have a decent mixing system and some phantom power, if you have the money though, go for the mixer

[felipipi]

@ncpproductions thanks, i just get a usb, i rather getting another one than paying for extra items. Thanks anyways

[InsightSkate]

@felipipi yeah it makes more sense, thats why i bought it too... i wouldve rather gotten a full setup but it wasn't in my budget. eventually when i have the money I'll probably trade it or sell it for a different xlr mic... but its really good for the money.

[guitarnumb]

ya i got the blue snowball one i returned it cuz it didnt sound for studio... Anyway I have a macbook so i just need that mic for simple recording songs ya? i dont need any midi stuff or anything. I just plainly just want to record a song. and garageband works automatically with that mic right? sorry im not sure thats why im asking.

[InsightSkate]

@guitarnumb i haven't tried this with a mac yet, but I have been told that it should work.

and even if it doesnt, you can record the track in a seperate program and import the audio into garageband

[saintcommon]

Does the mic allow for recording playback or do you have to wait til you're done recording to review the track?

[InsightSkate]

@saintcommon it does... you can set that in the control panel

[WemSum]

when you rap while youre recording are you suppose to be able to hear yourself in your headphones?

[InsightSkate]

@WemSum you can set the computer to let you hear yourself through headphones or a monitor

[InsightSkate]

youtube direct webcam recording takes away quality... but my newer videos should have better quality.

[MrRocque]

few suggestions, the side bar is on YOUR left (our right), you may want to let ppl know that the audio quality of this video is the microphone BUT that you're recording into the BACK of the microphone, hence some wall reverb. The rule of side address microphones is, where the 'pattern' is engraved, is the side you speak into. And I can see the 'pattern' engraving, so you're addressing the BACK of the microphone. Also, when you do turn it around, speak 'squarely' into the front, not off angle.

[sound191]

from where i can buy it man i d'ont find it here in my fucking contry

[InsightSkate]

try guitarcenter

if not... maybe sweetwater

i thought musicians friend shipped worldwide.

[app411]

nice video! keep up the good work!