I have about a dozen mics and finally after settling into our new house after about 3 long years following a fire burning the old one to the ground, I am settled in and making progress.
You will need 2 mics to do this, one of course of better quality.
I bought an MXL 4000 and an MXL 990.
The 4000 would be your standard professional entry level condenser with your 10dB limiter, bass cut and pattern switch.
The 990 is your basic condenser with no bells and whistles.
The concept was, use the 990 onstage since it's a $50 mic during sale season and the 4000 when recording.
Comparing the two of course lessened my initial opinion of the MXL 990 which I was at first quite impressed with when compared to my SM58 cardioid. BUT, I don't want my 4000 at risk until I have a more permanent arrangement in my home studio.
To remedy the quality difference punching me in the ears, I did this.
1) I made a recording on the 4000 with my mixer EQ slightly tweaked to my pleasure.
2) Made a recording with the 990 saying the exact same phrase for the test recording.
3) Panned between the two as they played and heard the EQ adjustments to be made
4) Adjusted the EQ on my mixer for the 990 to compensate for the tonal difference.
5) Repeated steps 2, 3 and 4 until the frequency wave forms were a match.
It's a good compromise for now and I can live with the quality difference between the 2 which is probably about 35-40%. It seems somewhat drastic and it is but the cheaper mic isn't exactly crap.
Although, just imagine the difference between the 4000 and a $5,000 condenser!
You will need 2 mics to do this, one of course of better quality.
I bought an MXL 4000 and an MXL 990.
The 4000 would be your standard professional entry level condenser with your 10dB limiter, bass cut and pattern switch.
The 990 is your basic condenser with no bells and whistles.
The concept was, use the 990 onstage since it's a $50 mic during sale season and the 4000 when recording.
Comparing the two of course lessened my initial opinion of the MXL 990 which I was at first quite impressed with when compared to my SM58 cardioid. BUT, I don't want my 4000 at risk until I have a more permanent arrangement in my home studio.
To remedy the quality difference punching me in the ears, I did this.
1) I made a recording on the 4000 with my mixer EQ slightly tweaked to my pleasure.
2) Made a recording with the 990 saying the exact same phrase for the test recording.
3) Panned between the two as they played and heard the EQ adjustments to be made
4) Adjusted the EQ on my mixer for the 990 to compensate for the tonal difference.
5) Repeated steps 2, 3 and 4 until the frequency wave forms were a match.
It's a good compromise for now and I can live with the quality difference between the 2 which is probably about 35-40%. It seems somewhat drastic and it is but the cheaper mic isn't exactly crap.
Although, just imagine the difference between the 4000 and a $5,000 condenser!
