Studio Update: Comparing microphones
Compared mics today... (see the picture on previous post).... I did speaking as well as singing, about 4-5 inches away from the microphone running through a GraceDesign m101 mic pre. My vocals room is partially treated with 3 home-made bass traps and a few auralex diffusion pyramid panels, but there is still a bare wall or two behind me. I also compared these mics on a guitar amp a few weeks ago (alongside an sm57) at a friend's house. I believe the amp was a peavy 6505, and some kind of mesa cab. I think the verdict is that I'm selling the MXL, but I'm thinking about comparing more just to tune up my ears and get more experience... anyway! here were the results of my listening experiences: -CAD e300 Comparatively bright. I didn't think it was by a TON, but definitely notably brighter. Overall on the vocals it sounded clearer both speaking and singing. much more of a "punch." -MXL v67G Not as bad as I thought it was gunna be standing next to the CAD. Comparatively muffled, but if you look at the CAD specs, there is about a 5db boost around the 10k/12k range so that definitely makes sense. When adding some highs with EQ, the MXL sounded a little bit better... but still didn't seem as clear as the CAD. Back to the CAD e300... This is a multipattern mic. I also tried using the different pickup patterns and noted as follows: OMNI - sounded GREAT back when I did the guitar cab (bedroom/living room size)... added some good body to the sound and went well with the sm57. When I used the omni pattern on the vocals, it just sounded bad. the room I was in was too small and the boost in the highs seemed to get covered up. I wasn't expecting it to sound too great but just want to try everything out. May be ok for an effect... but otherwise no. ...On the other hand, can't wait to try this as a room mic on drums! Bi-directional: not bad for vocals, not the greatest thing on the guitar cab. I think this will be more useful when I try using it for Mid-Side stereo technique, or to record a singer-songwriter playing guitar and vocals at the same time. (Bi-directional can focus on one sound and prevent mic bleed when placed correctly in the right situation.) If I knew about the mid-side technique when I did the cab I would have tried it! ... next time. CARDIOID Guitar cab sounded fine but it's not fresh on my mind so I can't say much about it. This was the best for vocal in my opinion. really crisp and detailed, easy to mix, etc. FINAL NOTE.... The MXL seems like a completely different microphone, but I'm sure it could have it's uses in budgeted recording... when I used it on the guitar cab, I do remember it being significantly more grainy and tinny... not the most attractive sound... but when it was the only Large Diaphragm Condenser I had, then I could spend a while getting an ok sound out of it. I just like the CAD way better. I still want to try out the MXL on some other sources just for the sake of experience, but at this point I think i may be selling it. It really isn't a bad budget mic, I just need to sacrifice it for some other microphones and gear! So I'm gunna put it towards a matched pair of Oktava mk012.
P.S.
I did check phasing issues, but when I recorded the guitar amp the mxl sounded like way too much highs. too crunchy and grainy. But! when I did vocals there weren't enough highs.... interesting. Perhaps it was partially the proximity effect? and/or the general volume and natural differences between voice and guitar.