If you’re looking for a high-quality microphone, but you don’t have anything ridiculous like a couple thousand dollars or more to spend, then going with an MXL is going to be the best option.
MXL microphones are great for beginners who want to get into recording. The sound quality is good and the price tag isn’t too bad either! They’re perfect if you’re on a budget or just starting out.
What is an XML mic?
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It is a condenser microphone that usually comes with either an XLR or USB connector, meaning that it can be plugged directly into a soundboard over the standard microphone jack.
It is usually sold within about $150-$300, depending on which model you want to go with.
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Specifications
If I’m talking to somebody who has never used a condenser microphone before, they might ask me, “what are some good specifications for my microphone?” And this would be my response:
Frequency Response – 20 Hz – 20,000 Hz Maximum SPL – 135 dB Signal-to-noise ratio – >90 dB Open Circuit Sensitivity – 3 mV/Pa Recommended load impedance – 200 ohms to 2k ohms. Still, since you’re reading this article, I’m going to say it anyway… The more expensive your microphone is, the better quality of sound it will have.
In my opinion, if you want a really clear sound from your vocals, then you should go for a studio mic.
What’s so good about them?
For the most part, MXL is known for producing microphones with really high SPL ratings. That means they can handle loud things like drums and loud instruments without distorting.
But, you know what else makes them suitable?
Their solid construction. You won’t have to worry about breaking or tearing them just by being too rough with your mic stand because it’s made out of that high-quality metal that feels strong but isn’t so heavy that you’re going to tire yourself out holding onto it for extended periods.
Plus, they make some excellent shock mount adapters as well, so if there are single mic stands or boom arms you’d like to attach your new microphone too, we’ve got you covered on those as well.
Now, as far as the quality of your sound goes well, XML I would consider more on the neutral side for what it does to your audio. Still, if you decide to do a little bit of research and experiment with some presets on your recording/editing software, then I think you’ll be happy with what comes out.
Is the XML good for rapping?
Yes, it is because of its low-frequency response, it’s the perfect microphone to pick up vocals (especially with rap). Furthermore, its high quality makes it ideal for hip-hop producers.
MXL microphones are great for recording rap vocals because they have high SPL ratings which means they can handle loud instruments and keep distortion to a minimum.
They’re perfect for beginners who want to get into recording but don’t want to spend too much money on their first mic just in case it doesn’t work out.
And lastly, all MXL microphones come equipped with a built-in high pass filter so you don’t need to worry about cutting anything out in post-production if there is any extraneous noise or frequencies present in your recordings when you go back and listen through them after you’ve recorded.
Who makes MXL microphones?
MXL is the company that makes the MXL microphones. They’ve been producing audio equipment for over 20 years and have a wide range of different products.
Pros
- Price – MXL microphones are very affordable. For the most part, you can’t go wrong with them if you’re on a budget. And they are usually either at or under the hundred-dollar mark.
- Solid construction – They make their mics out of high-quality metal that is lightweight and sturdy enough not to break when mistreated (i.e., dropped).
- Sensitive – They have some of the highest SPL ratings around, meaning they can handle high sound pressure levels, making them perfect for rap vocals and loud instruments.
- High-pass filter is another feature that makes this mic ideal for rappers because it cuts out any extra background noise that might interfere with your recording clarity.
- Close-Miking – I would like to mention that close-miking is a technique used for recording vocals. This means that your microphone should be no further than 6 inches from your mouth while you record. This will provide the best sound quality for your voice because it eliminates all of the other noise in the room and makes sure that you get a nice clear vocal track without any background noises interfering with clarity.
Cons
Now, as far as what’s wrong with these microphones, the only thing I can think of would be their high-pass filter not being adjustable within the mic itself.
Extra accessories: If you’re somebody who needs a pop filter or shock mount, then you have to purchase those items separately, which increases the overall cost of starting your recording rig from square one.
Overall, I think these are great microphones for somebody on a budget and has to make sacrifices to afford their first mic (or second, third).
And as far as quality goes, the sound you get from this type of microphone can be excellent or awful, depending on how well you know how to tweak those levels and filter out the background noise with your recording software.
So feel free to give them a try if you’re ever thinking about recording rap vocals!
Do XML microphones use phantom power?
Yes! All MXL microphones are powered through phantom power, which most audio interfaces have or can be purchased for a reasonable price.
That being said, either get an internal phantom power-enabled audio interface.
Additionally, they have a built-in high pass filter, so you don’t have to worry about your vocals.
What kind of cable connection do MXL microphones use?
XML microphones use XLR connection mics.
This means you need an audio interface with XLR inputs at the least.
If you want to get the best sound quality for your vocals, I highly recommend an MXL microphone. You can purchase one of these microphones for under $100, and it will provide a great recording experience with little background noise interference.
These are perfect mics if you’re on a budget because they have high SPL ratings, so they can handle loud instruments as well as rap vocals without distortion or extra background noise that might interfere with clarity in your recordings.
All MXL microphones use phantom power, which is provided by many audio interfaces already, but if not, there are external options available at reasonable prices too! Lastly, all MXL microphones come equipped with their own built-in high pass filter, so you don’t need to worry about cutting out any extraneous background noise or frequencies after you record.
