MXL990 MOD - RK47 capsule

Hi gang
This video is about getting a mic to sound better. Some of you may be inclined to think the sound before is better because it is clearer but in fact, in a mix, those high frequencies are hard to deal with specially with sibilances..
microphone-parts.com/pages/mx...

[@dannon2010]

That beat....”She’s a brick HOUUSE!” I keep coming back to your video. It sounds great!

[@RafaelSaluotto]

Awesome, man! Thanks for sharing the mod and the knowledge! Cheers from Brazil!

[@maedaeburning]

Thanks for the shootout! I bought my SP-1 in highschool and have been thinking about replacing the capsule since I don't really have anything decent for vocals, so I'm eating up everything I can get of this capsule. KZbin isn't the best format of course, but seems like it would take less work and eat less headroom to get it to fit in the mix than the original. Maybe what I WANT to hear, but I swear some musicality of the guitar stuck out more even if the top end is a lil darker. Having another, brighter LDC next to it for the sake of blending would probably be a winning combo on mixes where that energy is wanted

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Changing the capsule is the easiest mod to do if the mic is well designed. Let me know how it turns out !

[@RickRijuanaPro]

Dope. The upgrade took the sizzle out of the mic

[@dannon2010]

Microphone parts FTW. The capsule only mod helped tremendously. I’m gonna make their K47. It sound amazing. Maybe a bigger body would help even more? I dunno. Good work!

[@MarcoPrimeau]

I don't think the size of the body will make a difference. The part where the capsule sits is an open space.. What could change a tinny bit the sound is the grill.. some will remove a layer of the oem grill or replace it with a more spaced metal mesh. I didn't do it on mine..

[@5BYR]

That's why i love mxl mics

[@CoquiAudio]

Just a beautiful mod!

[@Creativecoverz]

Woah yes. Way more body and less tinny top end. Love it

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Before the mod, I couldn't figure what use I could do of the mic.. Now, it fits great on acoustic guitars to thame a bit of the HF or on room mic for drums etc.. ;)

[@suzukiax100rd3]

Very good video, but I would like to know what happens with the polar pattern of the microphone, is it modified or what?

[@powersliding]

mic tuning great video

[@dannon2010]

Very lovely.

[@bulldozercsgo]

My opinion: As user of this microphone I like MXL990 before mode on voice and guitar but don't like on drums, the modded MXL on drums sounds better and not drilling my ears . Thank you for this video.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

It's a pitty I didn't get time but when recording many instruments with the original mic the harsh high frequencies add up in the mix ;)

[@joekeller6471]

What other mods can you do to cheap .it's to mahe the becone precious like a Neumann sounds??

[@szymontrojanowski7565]

​@@joekeller6471you can replace ceramic capacitors for film ones it's cheap, and results ar pretty impressive for mo well d under ten bucks

[@robertopack2455]

Very very useful! I have a pair of Rode NT1 and i would want to mod them, this is what im looking for

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Yes, MicParts have different mods depending on the model !

[@banditman142536]

Nice mod Sir. I love it.

[@tabodee]

Great video! Have you built the T-3 kit and the T-47 kit from mic parts? I was wondering how they compare as far as difficulty is concerned. Thanks!

[@MarcoPrimeau]

I don't see a T-3 kit on MicParts. There is the S3, unless you talk about a mod kit ? I did build a T47 and T12 - Both identical circuit. Then I recently did a S-87, you can search my channel I did a few videos about it. I also modded a Studio Project C1 and an MXL-990 (capsule only). I can't say the T series was harder or easier to do compared to the S series. I do look at the S3 image and do not feel they would be more complicated.. Having the switches accessible is certainly a plus ! I only have good words for Micparts, pristine products and intructions !!

[@tabodee]

I meant to say T-12. I just finished building that one. So the T 47 is about the same difficulty. How about the capsule install? Everything about the same? The T 47 doesn’t have external switches does it?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@tabodee Both T47 and T12 are identical, you can swap the capsule to change the sound. RK47 for the classic sound with less high frequencies and the RK12 for a more modern sound with a little peak in the high frequencies. The both get good use in my studio. The transformer path gives it nice mojo with some harmonic distortions. For a cleaner sound go with the S series (no transformer) That's why I bought the S-87 as my third kit, I wanted at least one with more pure sound since I have colored preamps too ;)

[@RUGBYmusic]

Hello! What compressor/eq are you using in this demo? Sounds awesome thanks!

[@MarcoPrimeau]

There isn't any ! The mic is connected to a Focusrite ISA preamp and going to the RME FF800.. I used Fabfilter PRO Q only for the spectrum analyser... ;)

[@boyxnine7193]

The moded one is less less less harsh and whistling ! And this probably easier to mix with moded one

[@tchameow]

great. thanks

[@MustacheVerra]

pas mal!

[@thepick5663]

Thanks for the video. What kind of capsule is in the 990 originally?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

I don't know the specific, but it feels like a cheap version of the RK87 which the circuit doesn't tame the HF enough...

[@AntonVorozhtsov]

Cool! Try also to dampen the grill, it will reduce some annoying resonance at 200-300Hz

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Interesting.. specially because Micparts suggest removing a layer of the original grill or changing it for one more sparse.. Would you do this on an original one or a modded one ?

[@AntonVorozhtsov]

@@MarcoPrimeau On a modded one, it improves sound significantly

[@nadler4]

Thanks for vid :)

[@orelanic4178]

Good video

[@OrangeyTangerine]

Did the capsule change also decrease the noise floor of the mic? Or the background noise it picks up?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Because I didn't change the circuit, electric noises would be the same. As for background noises, the RK47 is more sensible than the OEM capsule so we could say it grabs more.. but since the EQ curve goes down in the higher frequencies, some noises will be less noticeable. MicParts also offer a complete replacement of the circuit and the capsule which can transform the mic completely. I didn't go for it in this case because I already had the RK47 in hand. Thanks for asking !

[@OrangeyTangerine]

@@MarcoPrimeau Thanks for answering! I need to try that capsule then.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@OrangeyTangerine If changing it for a darker sound is your goal, you won't be disappointed.. I would never use a MXL stock on my recordings but now it is way better sounding.. ;)

[@EUGENIOBRILLANTE]

Hi Marco, I would like to do same u have done in the video, but instead of a single capsule, I would like to install my ADK double-sided capsule K67 in the MXL 990, do you think could possibly work?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

The circuit of the 990 is cardioid only.. The RK47 that I used was double side but only one side is capturing sound. activating both sides would mean modifiying the circuit as well (more complicated) Unless you keep the 990 as a donner body and buy one of the S3 kits from MicParts...

[@EUGENIOBRILLANTE]

@@MarcoPrimeau I understand, thanks for your answer

[@raatakan]

which is better Dachman Audio K47 Mic Capsule Series 2 or microphone parts RK-47 Microphone Capsule?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Honestly, I never tried the Dachman so I can't say.. Some people claim those capsule all comes from china and are the same.. What I know is MicParts spend a lot of energy on quality control. Other brand may not..

[@OneFlow.Cacique]

Súper vídeo marco, i have an MXL V67GS, i can do the same and change the capsule? I want for rap vocal

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Yes, micparts.com have a few DIY mods for this mic, here is what they recommand : microphone-parts.com/pages/mxl-v67-mods

[@OneFlow.Cacique]

@@MarcoPrimeau thank you so much, bro, very helpfully.new sub.

[@CineDecodificado]

I dont know if a bit of EQ would be equivalent.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

In my perception, there is more to it than EQ. The texture is different and some signal are hard to EQ. But of course it depends on the needs. I do own many highend mics and to me, the good mic for the job is the one that don't need EQ or barely..

[@lawrencearmour5310]

I had the mic so I thought I'd buy the capsule and try the mod. Unfortunately at 4 min 11 seconds into your video, mounts for the RK47 capsule suddenly appear! That didn't come with the capsule I bought, so where do I get them?

[@lawrencearmour5310]

It's fine. I've ordered it from China. It's crazy that the Americans want to double the price for shipping when the Chinese almost certainly send their stuff via the US and charge pennies for it! Won't it be great when the UK does a great Brexit deal with America. LoL!

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@lawrencearmour5310 I'm glad to read that you found what you were looking for. Let me know how it turns out.. if the sound is more to your liking.

[@Pahlko]

To be completely honest, I like the before sound. With all that work, you could easily adjust the high and high mid frequencies with a simple eq to achieve the after sound. Just my humble opinion.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Most people will perceive the clear sound like more pleasing.. That's totaly normal.. The thing is, when you put the recording in a mix, specially if you record many tracks with the same mic, the result isn't pleasing at all.. Also, EQ won't fix the agressive texture of those frequencies.. But of course, it all depends on the source and what you expect as end result.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@Vincent James I might be mistaken, but the noise is produced by the circuit not the capsule.. no ?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@Vincent James I get you, if noise if your only consideration.. But you surely have heard in my video that the frequency curve has change dramaticly, to me the original would have never been used in my studio because I find it to agressive in the high frequencies.. Since the RK47 has fixed that for me, it will get used more often. Of course I have a micparts T47 that sounds even cleaner.. so the 990/47 would be out if I want to record something in stereo that has a lot of HF and I want to record with less.. ;)

[@jannatinkarlen8702]

I think that type of thing can't be eq-ed

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@jannatinkarlen8702 There is more to it than EQ, the proximity effect is different, innerent harmonic distortions or lack of. Agressive frequencies are far easier to fix by changing the mic than with EQ. If I listen to the original I want to lower the high frequencies but then the sound is dull and unclear. If I take the modded and add high frequencies it will react better. Something everyone need to try to figure out EQ can't fix everything.. ;)

[@Musiciansheaven]

I guess your $80.00 MXL now sounds like a $250.00 mic. Great! Now if you replace that new cartridge with the electronics and cartridge from a U87 you would have an MXL that sounded like a $3,000.00 Neumann. Amazing how that works.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

MicParts have a circuit and capsule available to do just that.. Mxl are often considered as donnor mics because of their low price. In this instance, I already had a spare capsule. That's why I didn't ordered the circuit.. ;)

[@tabodee]

I can hear a huge difference in sensitivity at the arms length distance. Also the transformer in the mod is kicking out some very nice harmonics when pushed. I think I will order one. BTW- I know of guy who sold his U87 after buying the T-3 kit from MicParts. Huge bang for the buck if you know how to solder, and have a steady hand.

[@gabedestellano]

LMAO

[@rbelson356]

The only thing I would have done differently if I were you is not holding the mic in my hand during the vocal comparison, as the handling noise kept distracting me from hearing well.

[@mk-prodtv6651]

Bonjour la modification sur cette vidéo est uniquement sur la capsule ou la capsule et le circuit ? Parce que moi je vois que le changement de la capsule, merci

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Comme le titre le suggère, c'est une modification de la capsule seulement.. Il existe des mods pour le circuit aussi mais avec des capsules différentes...

[@mk-prodtv6651]

@@MarcoPrimeau yess super merci beaucoup j’aime beaucoup le son qu’il délivre je vais prendre une capsule demain, vous pensez que c’est compatible avec un lewitt lct 440? Merci

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@mk-prodtv6651 Tout dépend de la taille de la capsule du 440. Il faudrait d'abord voir ce qui cloche avec le Lewitt ??

[@mk-prodtv6651]

@@MarcoPrimeau ok la taille de la capsule est de 25,4mm, mon micro marche très bien, il y’a rien qui cloche je veux juste changer un peu le son du 440 je le trouve brillant dans les hautes fréquences et légèrement agressif, j’aime beaucoup les sons type 47 pour être franc, pour être plus précis j’aime beaucoup ce combos de mxl + rk47

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@mk-prodtv6651 Ah, je comprend. Beaucoup de micro abordable ont trop de haute fréquence. Une capsule comme la RK47 est très bien pour compensé ceci.. Par contre elle fait 34mm et tu auras besoin de changer le pied/support en même temps...

[@rebilacx]

will these mods work on the usb version of the mxl 990?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Yes ! If I'm not mistaken the 990 all share the same capsule.. It could be filed with more parts because of the interface and usb part of it.. but I'm sure you can get to where the capsule is connected inside ;)

[@suzukiax100rd3]

Why does my mxl 990 have a different circuit board? I see that your microphone is a superficial circuit board with small components and mine is with larger components and goes through the board.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

MXL changes the circuit from time to time to save money while trying to keep the same sound (which I'm not sure they can acheive) also they may be made in different country. Larger components is better, easy to fix if it fails.. Unless you got a version that was modded ?

[@suzukiax100rd3]

@@MarcoPrimeau ok I understand and no it is not a modified version

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@suzukiax100rd3 interesting !

[@suzukiax100rd3]

Does the polar pattern of the microphone change or what?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

No, the original capsule is cardioid only. The RK47 can be put in a multipatern microphone but the circuit of the 990 is cardioid only. It would make a weird result if I would have connected the back side of the capsule, but this isn't the case ;)

[@suzukiax100rd3]

@@MarcoPrimeau so you left a cable disconnected?

[@MEGATestberichte]

Finally someone showing a capsule replacement with that mic.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Hey Thanks for the good word !

[@reekrodriqguez6552]

I don’t hear much differences

[@MarcoPrimeau]

@@reekrodriqguez6552 It might be due to your listening device, or ear training. The difference is small but there's one ;)

[@reekrodriqguez6552]

Marco Primeau So it’s really not necessary for me to mod the 990?

[@SianaGearz]

@@MarcoPrimeau I wouldn't call the difference small, it's pretty significant. Originally it's comparatively harsh sounding. Thanks for the test!

[@LanceisLawson]

I bought a 990 and thought it sounded thin. I used it for one or two recordings then quickly sold it. My old V67G is a way better mic for around the same $$$.

[@FatherLamb]

Those V series are golden! I bought one I had years ago, About 11 years or so again last year. Couldn't help it. The V63 Mogami. Despite peoples harsh reviews, It's a SOLID mic for a lot of things! When paired with the right interface or console, This thing is damn near silent with noise levels and amazing quality can be had. Their v67 models are basically the same, A tad bit brighter but a rich tone too. Now that v69, A lot of high BUT amazingly easy to EQ and work with and a very clean rich mid.

[@Godzillah]

Easiest mic mod so far don't know what other peoples on about it's a mic mods video mod mics that's it.

[@gogiaudios]

It will not work at its optimum. That is because it will need 60 volts bias voltage. Right now it will be getting very low bias.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Microphone-parts.com have a circuit mod for this mic, but I didn't want to spend and already had the capsule... for me the mic wasn't good and now can be used.. it's already a plus ! ;)

[@gogiaudios]

@@MarcoPrimeau all you need is a 60 volts dc to dc converter. If you need i can share

[@SianaGearz]

@@MarcoPrimeau Eh it's still going to be above 30V, i wager a guess... i'm thinking other than optimising sensitivity and noise performance, there isn't much to be had from increasing polarisation. I think at this point it's alright not to worry about it and just enjoy the mic. :D

[@maryannr9583]

@@gogiaudios is that just a small part

[@castiliOR]

without mod is pretty good for guitar :^)

[@MarcoPrimeau]

It depends on the guitar, it can be brittle on some..

[@powersliding]

the biggest difference is the arm length test

[@MarcoPrimeau]

On my side I thought the drum room test was also very obvious in the high frequencies.. ;)

[@gabedestellano]

OMG how could you possibly think that sounds BETTER after the mod!?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

Most budjet mics are hyped in the high frequencies. It gives a sens of clarity that impress many but when you have to deal with the harsh frequencies in a full mix, you realise it's not a good idea to have a source like this which also doesn't take EQ well. Note that you can push the modded version to be as clear but less harsh if you need. Sorry I didn't demonstrated this here...

[@blakealanfoster]

@@MarcoPrimeau Yeah. People always hear that high end and think it sounds clearer and more alive until they realize in the mix that those frequencies make it stand out like as ore thumb. Even with the best ears and the most surgical EQ it is nearly impossible to fix. There are just so many weird harmonic frequencies and trash happening there. People saying this stuff haven't worked in any real studio situation.

[@suzukiax100rd3]

did you buy it on aliexpress?

[@MarcoPrimeau]

No from Micparts.com

[@gabedestellano]

Why didn't you just buy a cardioid capsule? I don't know about wanting a loose wire rattling around in my condenser microphone... That's pretty low rent.

[@MarcoPrimeau]

I already had the capsule in stock from other mod tests. . . I did make a knot and secured the wire.. no rattle was ever heard since.. ;)

[@WebbChannel1]

CHEAPER TO JUST BUY A NEW RK47 ($250 at Sweetwater - priced today 12/24/2023)

[@dallinmackay7632]

rk47 is a capsule, not a mic, and is exclusive to mic parts. sweetwater doesn't sell anything with an rk47. they do sell many u47's and clones which are thousands of dollars, and even if it was $250 its more expensive than this MXL+mod.

[@ibrahimboztas8369]

-10 yada -20 pad anahtarı eklemek mümkün mü acaba

[@MarcoPrimeau]

English please

[@PauloGurgelAudiovisual]

before was better, too muddy with new capsule