Wednesday, December 15, 2010

Review: The MXL Genesis Microphone - Is the Genesis Right for You?

By Lee Murray


MXL's flagship tube condenser microphone for the catalog season is the MXL Genesis. It offers wonderful clarity, an immense tone, and a very warm sound... as you can expect with quality tube microphones. It combines a hand selected Mullard 12AT7 tube with a fixed cardioid 32mm, 6 micron, gold-sputtered large diaphragm capsule.

The MXL Genesis tube microphone is powered by 48 volts of phantom power. And the package comes with a heavy-duty suspension shock mount (p/n MXL-60), custom metal pop filter that's perfectly finished to match the Genesis' gold grille (p/n MXL PF-004-G).

The microphone also boasts a 15 ft. 7-pin Mogami cable, a 15 ft. XLR Mogami microphone cable, a dedicated power supply that switches between 115V and 230V AC, as well as a microfiber cloth, all of which is housed in a high-quality, good-looking case. As a result, you get the Excellence Award in the Pro Audio Review.

This particular model was intelligently designed and engineered, boasting features and levels of performance that are usually only seen in microphones that would cost thousands of dollars to purchase. Perfectly designed to record any vocals, even incredibly fast paced rap.

The MXL Genesis tube microphone has the ability to beautifully cut through the mix with amazing clarity. Many musicians love this mic because of the clean sound it provides and the balance it gives to tight bottom, mids and high ends.

The MXL factory, which is located in China, manufactures each and every one of the MXL Genesis tube microphones on the market. Meanwhile, the UK ships out the CV4024 Mullard tube, which arrives at MXL (USA) in perfect condition. These are the "new old stocks" that are initially made for the Royal Air Force, not the copies from Russia that are frequently labeled as the real Mullard tube. They are tested both before they make their way into the MXL Genesis microphone... once in the factory and a second time at MXL in El Segundo, California.

The MXL is burned in each Mullard tube for 2 days before being shipped. This ensures the quality of the product to give flawless performance for every recording, and even when doing live.

You will most likely identify a MXL Genesis tube microphone with its unmistakable glossy red body and gold grille. Each product comes with a 90-day warranty on the Mullard tube, and a 3-year warranty on the microphone itself. With the Genesis, MXL is continually raising the standards for the quality of affordable microphones.




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