MXL 990 microphone FAQ

This video is not for everyone. It's for the people who have many questions about the microphone I use and what they need to run it. Rather than answer dozens of messages, I decided to post this video.

[@Tzadeck]

A lot of people spend their whole lives and never do a single thing this helpful. Thanks so much!

[@jeffersoncamargo1]

Amazing video, Craig. Thanks for sharing your experience using the MXL 990 with us! We all appreciate!

[@LOLTHONG]

This has been very useful. Keep up the good reviews! I don't think I've seen anyone else who has gone into this much detail

[@MrBERLINTON]

Mr. Craig, thank you very much for dedicating time to this teaching and sharing your experience, thanks to you I decided to buy a microphone mxl 990 and a Mixer, I am from Colombia, I watch your videos, thank you very much for sharing your knowledge. Blessings to you and your family

[@BSGentertainment]

Perfect explanation that was very easy to understand for a newbie. This helped a loot more then all of the other videos. I recently bought my first professional cardoid condenser microphone that runs on phantom power, the audio technica at2035

[@bloodylite]

you answered all my questions that no one else seemed to answer:) thank you so much. i have the M-AUDIO mobilePre (the upgraded version of the M-AUDIO you showed) i was very confused if i needed a separate preamp or not. Thanks again.

[@bgomz]

thank you so much man. this is the best and most thorough review i have seen about anything haha. this really helps and MXL should call you back because you do great reviews. thanks again!

[@Lyte-tech]

Thank you so much for your videos on this. They are extremely helpful. I hope to get into home-vocal recording doing covers of songs and have researching mics for awhile. Now I just need to decide which version I should go with. :) Thank you again.

[@TheHideousgamer]

Thanks for these video. My Blue Snowball died on me a day or so ago. So the past day I been looking in to getting a new mic I was going to get the Audio-Technica ATR2500 usb. But watching these videos and listening to the MXL 990 I am going with MXL 990 usb. So thanks again and keep up the good work.

[@Ball_Black]

Awesome video man! Best and most informative I have seen...I was on the fence about which Mic to buy,and I am definitely less apprehensive about what to get.

[@Kyderra]

I went trough the shopping list of items with what you suggested: XLR version + Behringer XENYX usb mixer + XLR cable: male to female (0.50m) + Cable: USB to XLR (female) (3m) Total: € 165,50 vs USB version: € 150,- So for € 15 more I get a mixer with it and it can be used on anything. Great videos, this helped me out so much.

[@niteowl9354]

recently purchased this mic from guitar center on sale new for $50 , very happy with it. Watched this video over 9mts ago.

[@QuranListeners]

Thank you for this Great Review, Craig!

[@zimguy55]

this answered all my questions. THANK YOU!!!

[@DJHeyOfficial]

Hi Craig. Thank you so much for this video. It was very helpful. I think the USB version of the microphone is definitely the perfect one for me. At this point, I don't need a $400 microphone for doing my podcast. But one that sounds great, and $60 is a pretty good deal. So, I think I'm definitely going to go with this one. And it's thanks to you for recommending it.

[@DanDDirges]

Your so right. You can buy an XLR to USB adaptor that plugs directly into your computer if you don't have an interface with phantom power.

[@barnabiofskies]

The M-Audio interface "is" primarily an USB interface for multiple audio source recording. So yes, phantom power, USB connectivity and "inter-lock" licensing for use with Pro-tools. I have an Alesis USB mixer with phantom power that I use. I have the MXL 990 (I like it despite what some audio-phile friends say about it). I also have a little a little tube pre-amp that I got for $20. That too has phantom power and the advantage of tube coloration, which can be nice. That's another option.

[@TrueShayari]

R u using dbx 286 ?

[@roboedar]

Extreeeeeeeeemely helpful video. Man. That has answered questions that I've had about the two for a LOOOOOOOOONG time. Order the XLR version with a 4 channel mackie mixer.

[@myportfoliomax4971]

Thanks, man. You gave an answer to my question. I was planning to buy a mic. I didn't know which one to choose. I want to create video tutorials about computer programming and I think I'll go with usb mic since I am not a musician.)))))))))))) Subscribed.))))))))

[@Maineyak]

Nice informative video, I just wanted to mention that the Alesis USB multi-mix 4 mixer is the exact board I use on all my broadcasts, coupled with the MXL-990 of course, heh heh. Cheers!

[@MichaelNJ853]

This is the best sounding mxl 990 I have heard on youtube. Did you make adjustments on the mixer/ levels/ compression? Or did you make changes through your audio program? Because this definately isnt the way this mic sounds naturally!

[@InnerWorlds]

Got my XLR cable and the 990 sounds every bit as good as I hoped. This is going to improve my work a lot. By the way... I don't know about others but I pronounce Behringer "Berrin jur" ;)

[@jakeanddar]

Great video Craig! You sounded so clear for a second there I thought you where behind my monitor. LOL Take Care!

[@un-enlightened]

This was extremely helpfull thankyou.

[@wulfist]

Another thing you could recommend to people is a Blue Icicle, Its a tube that simply converts XLR to USB and has phantom power. Very small and convenient.

[@InnerWorlds]

I was given a 990 today and have watched 3 of your vids on it now incl. the MWS cover (sent chills down my spine btw). I haven't watched any of the brewing vids yet, but I like your style here... I've been recording for over 10 years and should know about phantom power - at 1 point I did but with the amount I absorb on many different subjects sometimes it can be in 1 ear out the other. Lucky for me I just need the XLR cable and I'm set. I hope mine will sound as great with my voice. Sub'd!

[@tsarperseus]

Great audio

[@ravenhousegaming]

I've been searching for a lot of reviews on this mic, and I have to admit, yours is the best. I have one question tough: The quality is amazing in your video and I was just curious, can you please tell me what pre-amp are you using? if you don't use one, what mixer? Thanks in advance :)

[@moronslave]

you really have a nice voice.. whether on cheap or expensive mic.. cheers!

[@rokiranjani5905]

I like your video. Thank you my old man.

[@JimHancock]

Thanks for the video, sometimes we may read something 50 times, but we've never heard it pronounced.... Behringer is an enormous company and as a consequence they can manufacture good stuff at a good price... so it is pronounced..... BARE-injure :) carry on....

[@KarlMarklund]

Would you recommend getting a new internal soundcard, a mixer like the MultiMix 4 or a microphone like the 990? They all cost about the same here in Sweden. Today I'm using a Creative X-Fi card and a Steelseries headset and get alot of noise when recording. I would like a new microphone but then there is the problem with a faulty soundcard.

[@LearningwithMarkWarren]

Hope Craig doesn't mind the reply but I actually owned both the Scarlett 2i2 and the M-Audio Fast Track. The Fast track had many problems and produced a lot of noise so I replaced it with the Scarlett. The Pre-Amps were so much better on the 2i2 and made everything sound great! It was really simple and easy to use. I gave the Scarlett to a buddy because I replaced it with a Propellerhead Balance for Reason. My buddy loves the Scarlett and we still use it to record stuff on his computer. HTH.

[@Madmohawkfilms]

It sounds great, I've got the MXL 990 and the Audio Technica AT2020 still not sure which I prefer. Also find using the Wingard Popgard better than my older style round puck pop filter

[@skylerrosendale]

Hi, great review. One question though. Could I plug the mic into a small phantom power supply (without a mixer) such as the behringer one and then have that plug directly to usb on my computer? Or do I need something such as the m-box? Thanks a lot

[@JeRuJoHn1994]

Thank you!!!

[@theanilio1]

Hi Craig, awesome review with details! I am very new to this. What I want is a decent microphone that I can use to record cover my songs on to the computer. Do you think this is a good choice for me?

[@sikamikan]

good video dude, i hope u show more mixing/editing/whatever videos take care

[@davidgtwasted]

the first phantom power supply that you showed, does it HAVE to go into a Mixer, and from the mixer to the computer, or from the mic to the phantom supply into the computer?

[@rukulathegamer]

I can recommend all the M-Audio audio-cards for use with pod casting (kinda like craig) or for a recording studio (like i use them for). Take a look at the SE Electronics 2200 A microphone, which is a great condencer.

[@xORIGINALTEE]

Thank you Craig.

[@OfficialDzanDervic]

Thank you! I was wondering what was wrong, because I had all the cables plugged in and everything and no sound was being recorded. Now I know that I need a phantom power supply thing or whatever, which one would you reccomend? Best quality for lowest price?

[@JustWickedSwede]

Me myself use a Steinberg CI1. Works perfect! :-)

[@ryane294]

I have this mic, and am using an Mbox 2 interface and use protools 8. Is there anything else you'd recommend to give the vocals a higher quality sound? I do use a compressor/limiter, some reverb, and some auto tune in production. I've looked into the ART Tube MP Project series tube mic preamp. I'm primarily recording pop/rock/acoustic music. Advice?

[@Asadarion]

I AM INTERESTED! :D

[@VoteLib3rty]

Thanks for the review. The mic sounds good in many aspects but lacking some eq it seems there is a sibilance problem. I would not use this mic for podcast / vocals without taking into consideration the need to correct this in the signal chain.

[@schaeffernico]

Can you tell me if the mxl 550 is better than the 990?

[@v95890]

I saw this one and decided on the Audio Technica 2035 and am having problems with too much base. It doesn't sound half as nice as your mic. Now I'm bummed, but have subscribed so hope that works for you! The mic sounds like your standing right next to me...that's the bomb!

[@DaIrishGuy]

subbed. thanks for the info Graig

[@NoTime2Spend]

hi craig, have you tried any fet mics or ribbon mics? what was your impression compared to the mxl990? what is your favorite dynamic mic for recording vocals? thanks.

[@sanchomangosta8578]

Oh Craig thank you sooo much for sharing all this knowledge you just answered a lot of questions. By the way what do i need to get the most out of that microphone? i mean you showed us what we need to use it but does getting a phantom power with a preamplifier improve the mic performance? what is a preamplifier anyways? what about sound cards do the mixers u mention in your video come with sound cards? well i hope you can ask some of this questions any time soon oh and sorry if some of them seem stupid but im reaally curious.

[@Ken.Knight.]

Will you consider reviewing the at2035?

[@GinaSingsxo]

thanks:) so also i have the phantom power supply box, do i need a mixer aswell or am i fine with just the phantom power supply?

[@michaltanay2315]

I would like advices please. I would like need use pa speaker qr12pa with SubZero SZ-MIX04 4-Channel Mini Mixer and then use with any microphone for work because I cannot hear microphone from my pa speaker when I speak to my microphone

[@gunnsi-is]

What channel strip is this behind you? I can see on the lights on it that it is doing something with the mic sound. I am thinking about buying some cheap microphone and this sound from the video is defenetly not direcly from the mic. My Neuman TLM 103 does not even sound this good without channel strip :)

[@jerbersonmusicgroup]

Hello Craig, may i know your compressor and ES you use in this recording?

[@OnlySoulMusicHere]

Hello Craig i would like 2 know what the exact name of the big yamaha mixer that you mention in this video...Thanks!!!

[@vhs9987]

+CraigTube what if I get a usb microphone and mix it on my laptop later? Would it sound the same as having the xlr one with the mic input?

[@Jazzamiah]

THANKS MAN…GREAT...

[@connorkillmice]

OMG. WOW THIS HELPED SOO MUCH

[@alvar3zs]

Hey Craig, I'm really thinking about getting this mic. but I did find another model (the 990"s") do you know anything about it?

[@PoloKiddTooTrill]

Do I need to buy any type of cords for the MXL 900 since im getting a Behringer XENYX502 5-Channel Mixer , please reply asap because I have the money for everything but I dont want to buy till I know I have everything. Thanks !

[@georgiabentley4605]

What microphone stand are you using because I currently have a tiger stand but the shock mount does not fit?

[@arncj18]

you have a radio voice , so no matter what shitty mic you use, you'll be golden

[@antoineinniss5586]

Hey Craig....love your videos....this one , there was noise in the audio...don't know if it's mixer related or microphone related...but there was a light hiss/hum in the audio .....you were not able to hear it, because you weren't wearing headphone.....so we are wondering , if it's the microphone that was giving off that noise in the audio , or the mixer/preamp self noise .......and we also want to know what mixer you used with the mxl 990

[@someone123421]

I have the XLR cable and a mixer with a preamp with phantom power, but i dont understand- where do i record to?? there is no usb through the mixer so how/where does the mix record to? Thanks a lot by the way, i really appreciate this, everything youve put up has helped me a lot!

[@PoloKiddTooTrill]

Ok thanks man. I got the MXL 990 mic, a mixer with 48 volt phantom power and a xlr male to xlr female cable and thats all I need for the mic right?

[@MintStandard]

Craig the M-Audio box has a USB input but I would recommend an M-Audio Mobile Pre ($100 US at BestBuy or $130 US on Amazon)

[@AnjEnriquez]

Hello Mr. Craig, I have a MXL 990 (xlr version) for a year now, Well I haven't used it yet since I don't have a mixer or an interface, I'm hoping of buying an interface, what would you recommend? What do you think of the FOCUSRITE:SCARLETT and a M-Audio Fast Track? - I do covers and my brother bought me this.. I wanna have those hd-bassy kind of sounds that we always hear in covers :) Really need your help. Thank you! - ANJ

[@audiodotlucas]

Hey, great video. What would this be like for overheads on a drum kit?

[@GinaSingsxo]

also do i need to plug my phantom power supply into a mixer or can i just plug it straight into a wall circuit?

[@JohnnyCyberspace]

Craig, the 990 is a great mic for the price. Big Bang for the buck no doubt. Recently though I just decided it was time to upgrade to the MXL 990XL which is an upgrade version of the 990. Have you used the 990XL yet? The MSRP of the MXL 990XL is $300.00 I'd like to see you do a review of the MXL 990XL condenser microphone. Thanks.

[@SidSaynamgeuim]

My mixer has phantom power about 15V. Does this mean it's too low for this microphone? Thanks.

[@TheKazgamingroom]

Hi craig im thinking of getting this mic in XLR form my question to you is i want to be able to use the 2 of the same mic in the same room but not have each others voices echoing in each others mic if you get what i mean do you know how i could do this with XLR and what would i need.

[@RantingTalk]

how did you make this mic so upfront in the sound? cuz mine is spacy sounding. did you use alot of compression??

[@torbjrn4767]

is it good to use as a overheadmic for drums ? :O

[@someone123421]

Also btw, i currently have a Vocalist live3, is it even the right thing for studio recording? im a singer and sing with guitar sometimes, can i use this Vocalist?

[@cursospcstudio]

Hello Craig, very nice videos. I just have a question, the yamaha mixer that you are using is a usb mixer? And if not, how do you connect this kind of mixer to your computer? Are you using a usb interface beside? Thank you in advance for your help.

[@CraigTube]

Yes it is a USB mixer.

[@GinaSingsxo]

I have bought this microphone I had it for christmas! we have the first phantom power supply you used as an example in this video and the pop filter thing..what we have noticed is that in the back of the phantom power supply, there are 3 plug points one which plugs into the wall circuit and then 2 others..we have not been supplied with any wires that connects to the microphone to go to the phantom power supply..can you maybe suggest what wires I need or what I need to plug into etc. confused!

[@PSYCHOsPHILOSOPHY]

Hi, I recently bought a MXL 990 along with a Behringer Xenyx 502 mixer (with 48v phantom power along with a preamp). This mixer is analogue and does not connect to the USB (connect via RCA to 3.5mm female jack port in my laptop). My question is, if I purchase a RCA cable to USB, will the sound recording be of the same quality as getting a USB mic (as you said the standard 3.5mm jack cable can have interference from digital signal in the laptop). Will it even work?

[@limuya]

Hi Craig i ve got a question, i wanna use my laptop doing some sort of singing,and i have a USB sound card(creative sound blaster x-fi 1080) does mxl 990 usb model can connect usb sound card?

[@jyungbrklyn]

what program/software you use to record? please let me know

[@jyungbrklyn]

hey i brought the blue yamaha that you mention before you talked about the one you have, where do i connect the back ??? 0_o to start it from working.

[@MrXreenan]

what is the name of the cable that we use to plug this mic to a mixer?

[@YungPoloKidz901]

how do you get it to sound so clear... eq , etc... please reply

[@Djiceage666]

great vid. We use the same the yahama mixer but I still can't get my mxl to work. Phantom power is on, mic is plugged in and the channel is on but I'm still getting nothing. Not sure what I'm doing wrong. Any help would be much appreciated. thanks!

[@jmvmain]

@Jannn808 Or you could go with Blue's icicle (XLR to USB with +48 Phantom Power) for $40.00 on amazon.

[@marianamercury8336]

Awesone

[@alicemckeeverz]

do you need a mixer if you already have a amplifier?

[@MakeUsayAYYpapi]

is the phantom power the samething with an interface?

[@davidgtwasted]

but the white one you showed, could i just use that straight into the computer?

[@velezpamela]

Can I use the behringer ucg102 interface to record with a mxl 990 mic?

[@Ashleescottgreen]

My sound card has XLR inputs, so would is be better to get this or the usb version?

[@NsKcreWmusiC]

una pregunta. ¿A que tienes conectado el mxl 990? me refiero a preamplicficadores o cosas por el estilo, ya que su sonido suena bastante bueno pero logico no es el real, quisiera saber para resolver mi duda. Gracias!

[@mantasparks15]

Is this good for singing cover videos?

[@GinaSingsxo]

oh yeah and can you please link me to the XLR cable i would need because theres loads of different ones and i have no idea which one is the right one to get

[@irisversify]

Would neewer phantom power work good with MxL?

[@radiokorrekta4684]

I will like to now what model is your mixer

[@niboglin]

If I were to get a XLR to USB, would that power the mic?