MXL 990 Large-diaphragm Condenser Microphone

Gearank Recommendation

The 990 first appeared on our recommended list for Condenser Microphones Under $100 from December 2015 until February 2018 when it was removed because it had been out-ranked by other mics.

Then in October 2019 it had high enough ratings to go back on the list where it remained until September 2020.

Overview

The MXL 990 Condenser Microphone has a 3/4″ gold-sputtered diaphragm and a frequency response range of 30Hz-20kHz, designed to to retain high and low frequencies and keep the overall sound well balanced and transparent.

This transparency allows it to work well with commonly recorded sound sources in home studio environments, including acoustic instruments and vocals.

It is wrapped in a vintage inspired metal exterior that looks good and can take a beating, making it an inspiring mic to have in case you need the extra encouragement.

The MXL 990 has the right balance of affordability, quality and adaptability, resulting in a well received and highly recommended condenser mic for the budget conscious or beginner.

Specifications

• Frequency Response: 30 Hz – 20 kHz
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid
• Max SPL: 130 dB
• Power Requirements: Phantom Power 48V (+/- 4V)
• Applications: Vocal and Acoustic instrument recording and Voice-overs / Podcasts

Alternatives

• Under $100: MXL V67G
• Under $200: Aston Microphones Origin
• Under $300: Rode NT1

Demo