MXL USB006 USB Cardioid Condenser Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I got this microphone to record voiceover narration for a video.There are points where there will only be narration, and no music or background audio.

Although it sounds pretty good for a USB mic, in that it gives a rich, faithful reproduction, there is a noticeable pitch generated by the microphone itself.This self-noise is audible during quiet moments or even when speech is recorded, if you listen carefully.On the plus side, it does come with a nifty case, desktop tripod and has hardware gain control with three settings.It worked right out of the box with my Mac, so no problems in the compatibility department.

I was poking around to make myself feel better about buying this microphone over the popular Samson C01U and Snowball, and came across a review of all of these microphones, including the new Rode Podcaster, pitted against each other.The reviewer noted a distinct B-natural pitch from the MXLUSB.006, though it did have less self-noise than the Samson.Check out the review at Emusician, search google for Samson, MXL, Podcaster and you should find it.

Wish I saw that review before I bought the MXL, since I experienced the same thing.Though the MXL has a rich sound, the noise is unacceptable for my application and I'll be returning it.

Although USB mics are notorious for noticeable self-noise, I went ahead and got the Rode Podcaster, and have not noticed any significant self-noise.

If a faint high-pitched noise is not a big deal to you, this is a pretty good condenser microphone.I would be all over it if it weren't for the fact that I need a really quiet mic.

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Product Description:
Designed withease-of-use in mind, the new MXL.006 features a large gold diaphragm that delivers a big, rich sound characteristic of studio and broadcast microphones. Unlike most studio condenser microphones, however, the MXL.006 is a USB (Universal Serial Bus) instrument that connects directly to a computer without the need for external mic preamps. Now, anyone requiring high quality, professional sound on their computer can record music or dialog by simply connecting to a standard USB port. Featuring support for USB 1.1 and 2.0, this exceptionally easy-to-use microphone even includes gain adjustment settings via the built-in three position attenuation switch.
Working with the new MXL.006 is a pleasure. As a plug and play device for both Windows and Macintosh, it requires no special drivers whatsoever. Simply connect the microphone's USB cable to a computer's USB port, and installation is quick and effortless. In addition to recording instruments or voice for home recording applications, the new MXL.006 is the perfect microphone for podcasting or adding dialog to presentations and other multimedia projects. It is also the perfect solution capable of opening new possibilities for radio and news broadcasters and for location recording.Unlike electrets or dynamic microphones typically used for computer work, the MXL.006 has an extremely smooth, natural sound typical of what one would hear on a professionally produced CD or radio show. The analog section of the new MXL.006 microphone features a 20 Hz-20 kHz frequency response, a large gold diaphragm, pressure-gradient condenser capsule, and a 3-position, switchable attenuation pad with settings for Hi (0 dB), Medium (-5 dB), and Lo (-10 dB), making it easy to configure the microphone to virtually any sound source. The digital section features a 16-bit Delta Sigma A/D converter with a sampling rate of 44.1 kHz and 48 kHz. Protecting the instrument's capsule is a heavy-duty wire mesh grill with an integrated pop filter.To make recording a trouble-free process, the new MXL.006 features a red LED behind the protective grill. This LED informs the user that the microphone is active and correctly oriented toward the user. To complete this terrific package, the new MXL.006 ships with a travel case, a desktop microphone stand, a 10-foot USB cable, windscreen, an owner's manual, and an applications guide.

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Rode Podcaster USB Dynamic Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For recording my voice (baritone), it does a great job.For extra warmth that means close-miking, which in turn means not popping your p's, etc.If you hold it close to your mouth but don't directly face it end-on, that's easily done (or get a pop filter).[...].

The microphone electronics are extremely quiet - the audio is sampled at 18 bits.

It comes with a warranty which is easily extended to 10 years for free.

The real-time headphone monitoring is a great idea and works well.

It's a bit heavy (part of being built like a tank), and you need to think a little about how you're going to mount it, since some cheap desktop stands can barely manage it.

Some things to keep in mind are:
1) It likes close-miking (at least for male voices)
2) It is USB-only
3) It is a on the bit large and heavy side.

If those don't bother you, and the price is in your range, then you will probably like it a lot.

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Product Description:
The Rode Podcaster is the easiest way to record high quality vocals or audio on your computer and upload them to the world.Seamless integration was the idea, and it was obtained by creating a studio dynamic microphone with unparalleled A/D converters, so that the microphone can be plugged into any computer with no in/out boxes, no expensive computer pre-amps, just a USB cable.The Podcaster offers an end-address configuration, the clarity of RØDE's tailored-for-voice frequency response, an ON L.E.D, a direct headphone amp, and of course very low self noise.The Podcaster opens up possibilities for anyone who records audio from podcasters, journalists and students to business people adding audio files to websites and multimedia presentations.

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MXL USB007 USB Stereo Condenser Microphone Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As a music director, I bought this for its portability to record concerts in stereo.Just hook it up to a laptop computer (plugs into a USB port) and record away - anywhere!The resulting WAV file is already on the computer ready to tweak in Sound Forge.The stereo sound quality is rich and accurate. We have been very impressed.

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Product Description:
MXL Introduces the World's First USB Large Gold Diaphragm Stereo Condenser Mic. It's like having a recording studio in a mic. No mixers, pre-amps, or expensive studio gear. No mixers, preamps or expensive studio gear. No special software or drivers, just plug in to your portable or desktop computer, set your preferences and enjoy instant studio quality recordings.

The mic uses dual gold diaphragm capsules in a XY pattern together with low noise electronics and the latest in enhanced digital conversion techniques for pristine audio quality.
In a demonstration CD a vintage acoustic guitar was recorded with a famous studio mic going thru high quality studio gear to a hard disk recorder and then was compared to the MXL USB.007 recorded direct to a standard computer. The results were nothing short of amazing; the MXL USB.007 sounded like a pristine direct to disc recording while the studio mic sounded nice but lacked punch or detail of the USB mic.

Because of its high quality and ease of use the new mic opens up new possibilities for direct stereo recording with a standard computer such as live performances in the professional, school and home environment. It's also a very exciting tool for podcasts, multimedia, news and broadcast applications using portable computers for remote stereo recording of concerts, lectures, or even documenting outdoor sounds in stereo for film and and sharing with friends and TV backgrounds.

Imagine the fun of recording performances and sound effects from anywhere in the world on a portable computer in full stereo and sharing with friends and associates.
The MXL USB .007 comes with a carry bag, a desktop mic stand, mic stand adapter, a 10-foot USB cable, wind screen, owners manual and an applications guide. The new MXL USB mics usher in a new era of high quality recording never before achieved without a studio. It completely redefines what users can do on their computers opening up a new world for the audio, computer and broadcast industries.
All New MXL Microphones are Designed in Our HDTV Design Center inLos Angeles, CAand are wired with MOGAMI.

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Samson G Track USB Microphone and Audio Interface Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This will be a nice semi-quick review with a little more technical perspective than a lot of the previous ones.I'm a big home recording nut, who's been on the road a lot the last year, mostly recording with my laptop, this mic, and a full version of Sonar.

First off, the audio quality:
Pretty decent.No noticeable glitches while using.Does sound a little tinny at times, but it's definitely on par with most of my other $100+ mikes (my most expensive one is a $200 Rode).Very usable for recording vocals (singing), but I haven't tried it with an acoustic guitar or other acoustic instruments.VERY-usable-plus for recording spoken words.Frequency range seems decent, but again, I haven't really ran the thing through a full range of applications.

Build quality:
Nice and solid.Almost too heavy though for easy lugging on small trips...but I keep it in the manufacturer's box and slide it in my suitcase, and so far it has made every trip just fine.

Ease of use:
Big plus here, despite a stable Windows OS possibly being as much responsible for the super simple use of the thing as the mic itself.Plug it in via USB, and you're ready to go.No special driver install or software required to get it working.

Extras:
-Line in and headphone out are constructed directly on the mic...this lets you use the mic as a line-in for recording an electronic keyboard or electric guitar directly into your recording software.And then you can use the microphone part of it to record vocals or any acoustic instruments.Nice double-feature to have in the same piece of hardware
-Comes with a very usable desk mic stand
-Comes with all the necessary cables to use right away
-Comes with some scaled-down Cakewalk recording software for your computer

I expected the sound quality would be usable and it is, but I admit the all-in-one extras and the acceptable price were what ultimately snagged me and prompted the one-click order.

Final thoughts:
If you're only doing podcasting (no music or instrument input required), you might consider a lower priced USB mic without the extras.BUT, if you're doing music with the thing, the line-in and line-out features and easy direct monitoring are way nice and worth the price.

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Product Description:
The G-Track is a total solution capable of taking you from your musical inspiration to your finished tracks. Samson's G-Track is the world's first USB condenser microphone with a built-in audio interface and mixer, allowing simultaneous input of vocals and guitar, bass, or keyboard while also providing monitoring through an on board headphone output.


The world's first USB condenser microphone with a built-in audio interface and mixer.Click to enlarge.
Includes everything you need to get going, including SONAR LE software.
Detailed Sound
The microphone's 19mm capsule with 3-micron diaphragm is extremely detailed, and the super-cardioid pick-up pattern makes it ideal for recording vocals, acoustic instruments and just about any other sound source. On the road, in the studio, or in a fixed installation, the solid die-cast construction makes the microphone a reliable audio tool from venue to venue, day in and night out.
The on-board, high quality AD converters with 16 Bit, 48K sampling rate provide better than CD quality recording.
Record Vocals and Instruments Simultaneously
The G-Track allows you to record vocals like a standard USB mic, or two mono instruments through the line/instrument input, or a mix of one mono instrument and vocal. Now singer/songwriters can directly record vocals and instruments quickly and easily with one device, making the G-Track a must have for any songwriter's home studio. And its ease of use and portability allows you to take it anywhere inspiration may strike you.
The Instrument and Mic input gain controls with Peak LED make it easy to set the proper clean signal when recording with the mic or line inputs. Connect electric guitar and bass, plus keyboards, drum machines, MP3 players and just about any other line level signal.
Onboard Headphone Amp
The G-Track's onboard headphone amp with level control allows you to listen to the inputs and mix directly from the microphone, plus you can use the output to connect active studio monitors.
Ships With SONAR LE
The G Track ships with Cakewalk's SONAR LE, feature-rich recording software for musicians using PC-based recording. SONAR LE provides a cutting-edge music production studio, giving users what they need to get started creating music on Windows XP, X64, or Vista PCs.
What's in the Box
Samson G-Track, Desktop Mic Stand, Swivel Stand Mount, USB cable, 1/4-Inch Cable, User's Manual

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MXL 24BIT/96KHZ USB Condenser Mic Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For years I've been working with traditional XLR cardioid condenser mics (love my Neumann TLM) but I've had to travel a lot lately, and humping the XLR cables, pre-amp, and heavy mics through airports and hotels has gotten to be a real bother, so I started The Hunt for a Great USB Mic.

Now, there are good USB mics out there for under $100, and Blue's Snowball is adequate. At ~$70 you get what you pay for. It is ok for podcasting, if you aren't too picky about sound quality. I had one shipped to me, didn't like that background hum, sent it back thinking it was a problem with the mic, and got another one that sounded exactly the same. (And yes, I read all the instructions and advice and made all the adjustments. I even tried it on Mac, Laptop, and PC--so spare me the "oh did you try this, and you're an idiot because you didn't try that" Snowball fanboy snarkiness ;).

So, when I returned the Snowball, I considered getting Blue's Yeti, but it's sheer size disqualified it -- the mic is way too big and heavy to be considered remotely portable, and since I like to record standing-up instead of sitting down, I worried that it would be too heavy for my boom.

Having eliminated Blue's mics, I tried the Samson G Track at ~$120 and the AudioTechnica AT2020 at ~$110. I like that the Samson has the headphone output and the gain controls (which the AT does not) and better recording quality versus the AT2020 at 48kHz versus 44.1kHz. However, the Sampson weighs a half-pound more. For both mics the sound quality is great for podcasting, and while vastly superior to the Blue Snowball, and certainly adequate for most vocals that will be supported with background music, neither mic produces recordings clean enough and of high enough quality (limited to 16bit) for pure narration (IMHO).

So I upped my price-point again. And found THE perfect USB mic for voice-overs at ~$275. The MXL USB.009. It records at 24Bit/96kHz -- a huge improvement over the 16Bit/44.1kHz of all the other mics. It has the benefits of a mic jack and knobs for gain control like the Samson G Track, and is Plug and Play. I don't have to tweak anything on my Mac or my PC. It is lightweight, so I'm not worried about my boom tipping, and there is no background hum. I like the steel carrying case -- it weighs about 6 pounds with the mic and USB cable -- and makes it easy to carry through airport security.

Yes, the MXL USB.009 is 4x the cost of the Blue Snowball and 2.5x the cost of the Samson G Track and the AT2020, but for me, it is worth it. I not only do podcasting, but I do professional voice-over work, and I need something that will give me the convenience of direct USB recording with near-studio quality.

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Product Description:
Producing a 24-bit/96 kHz feature-rich USB microphone for the professional broadcast and music industry meant no compromises on quality. The MXL® USB.009 features a large diaphragm, 32mm capsule, similar to what's found on the world's best analog microphones. With zero latency monitoring, hand selected components and analog rotary knobs to dial in the perfect mix, the MXL® USB.009 replaces an entire studio. When it's time to listen back to the tracks you've recorded, it will impress with its amazing detail and punch.
The MXL® USB.009 is a simple, feature-rich, elegantall-in-one recording solution that is nothing short of professional!

24-bit A/D and D/A 96 kHzrecording
114 dB dynamic range
Large gold sputtered diaphragm
USB 1.1 and 2.0 compatible
Zero latency monitoring
Analog gain control before A/D
Hand selected components
USB powered - no externalpower needed
Plug and play with no preamps, mixers or any other externaldevices required

Includes:
• Mic
• Aluminum flight case
• Desktop Stand
• Mic stand adapter
• 10' USB cable
• Cleaning cloth
• Manual

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