Mic Comparison: Neumann U87, Stellar X2, and MXL 990 $150-5000

[@metalprognosis]

Really good back to back with all these mics. You could hear a warmth difference with the U87, but couldn't hear a huge quality difference... Not sure if the money would be worth spending on it, with other mics available now that do an awesome job.... Maybe not the same, but as good, just slightly difference.

[@NickLeonard]

I agree, the U87 is a fantastic mic for the right job, and sounds quite nice on guitar, but no way would I spend that much on one!

[@JothanGurr]

The Stellar sounded better to me on your voice and I was listening on my studio headphones. The Mxl was also quite good. No need to buy a microphone that costs as much as a car

[@NickLeonard]

I do like it best on my voice, and I often use a cheaper SM57 since it reduces background noise much better even if it doesn't sound quite as crisp as a condenser. The capsule in the MXL I like much better for capturing guitar cabs, but less than the X2 for voiceover.

[@MrRichard1280]

Hey man...what kind of car ya driving for $3500?

[@victormiller4170]

The MXl 990 sounds really good!!!!!!!

[@NickLeonard]

It does have an upgraded capsule, so it's way better than stock, but a good platform for that!

[@victormiller4170]

I about to purchase that capsule, thanks for posting this video really appreciate it

[@shingAMarie]

its annoying that so many vids reviewing mxl mics mod them because i can't just mod my mic at the snap of a finger.

[@NickLeonard]

@@shingAMarie I do have a video before I modded it too kzbin.info/www/bejne/aJTTeayClNWlgaMsi=RY_CtD4oj74MnY4F

[@BERNARJE]

I just did a back and forward and to my ears neumann the X2 sound shockinly similar when you go back and forth. It also doesn't help that the hight is different in the microphone. You speak more straight sometimes. Anyways, I bought the Stella X2 two years ago and always was wondering if this was really the case as they said they used the same circuitry as an old Neumann... don't remember the advertisement but they got me and they sounded pretty decent on all my recordings.

[@NickLeonard]

It's a great mic for sure, I did find it very different from the 87, but not "worse". It's louder for one, doesn't have all the pickup pattern options or anything of the 87. I found the X2 to be much brighter and with a flatter sounding midrange, but it's not harsh either. It may be a similar modernized version of the circuit, it's certainly not identical though!

[@badmiddens]

nice voice, great mics. well, two of them. the mxl still sounds vastly inferior to the other two.

[@NickLeonard]

Thanks! The MXL has a new capsule, so it's a true large diaphragm now. It's a different tone than the X2, but I wouldn't say it's worse, I prefer it on electric guitar, but the X2 is more neutral for voice.

[@saxyrep1]

Thanks for that review! I really love the Stellar's sound and presence and believe it works at its finest with male vocals from tenor to bass. The U87 is a great legendary mic for a reason but I'd say most home studios producers don't need it. Anyone with a HS would be better off buying a 500$ mic (or the X2) and invest the rest of the money in acoustic treatment which is often overlooked despite being more important than almost anything else.

[@Mope333]

Or even a $150-200 mic