MXL 990 Vs AT2020 Both at a Similar Price so How Do They Compare?

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  • Опубліковано 10 бер 2022
  • Both of these mics are a great buy. The audio Technica AT2020 has been around for a long time. Most people seem to feel that it sounds good but has slightly high self noise. As long as you are close, this is actually not a problem.
    The MXL 990 has an advertised noise figure that looks brilliant for the cost but when you see the documentation, there are two figures that don't match ....... -80dB or -20dBa. Normally, the dBa figure added to the dB figure should come to 94, but in this case, it's 100!! I suspect that the -20dBa is more accurate which brings it to the same exact level as the AT2020.
    So that always makes me wonder why so many reviewers haven't noticed the noise on the MXL but have on the AT ........
    In reality, they are exactly the same with regards to the noise level. At least, that's what I find.
    Perhaps the MXL is a little more treble focused than the AT2020. Makes many think that there is more detail with the 990 but again, I don't think so.
    These two mics are quite similar in performance. The MXL has a nicer case and shockmount system, plus the fact that it is cheaper than the AT2020, so I guess that is probably the better buy, unless you don't like its sound!
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КОМЕНТАРІ • 47

  • @iancraig
    @iancraig  2 роки тому

    Affiliate links:
    MXL990 - amzn.to/37e84Km
    AT2020 - amzn.to/3vkQsnN

  • @Fahm927
    @Fahm927 Рік тому +1

    thanks for the review sir!

  • @jannbautista4480
    @jannbautista4480 2 роки тому +3

    Great tip on the subtle noise gate!

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  2 роки тому +3

      It works really well Jann. You don't notice it switching in and out and the perceived noise floor drops by 6 or 12dB. Generally, if the background is noisy, I drop by 6 before it becomes noticeable, whereas quieter recordings can be dropped 12 with no obvious effects.

  • @fransv1398
    @fransv1398 2 роки тому +1

    A nice comparison Ian and great tips at the end.

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  2 роки тому +1

      That noise gate trick works really well and you don’t get that horrible ‘deadness’ in silent bits.

    • @fransv1398
      @fransv1398 2 роки тому +1

      @@iancraig Totally agree. I do the same with only 3 dB reduction. Next time I will try with the higher values of yours.

  • @tatiz4001
    @tatiz4001 Рік тому +1

    Thanks for your help

  • @4sythemusic
    @4sythemusic Рік тому

    thank you for this my friend!!!

  • @GameliGamePlays-ms7te
    @GameliGamePlays-ms7te Рік тому +4

    I have the XML 990 and totally love it.

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  Рік тому

      Such a great value mic.

  • @diogomendes2332
    @diogomendes2332 Рік тому +3

    Thank you, Brian Wilson

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  Рік тому +1

      Yes, I do love beaches. So I guess I’m a Beach Boy!

  • @szymontrojanowski7565
    @szymontrojanowski7565 Рік тому +1

    You can get that extra 10Hz at the bottom end and further lower self noise in mxl 990 by replacing capacitors inside.

  • @ripl1e88
    @ripl1e88 7 місяців тому +1

    great video and thank you

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  7 місяців тому

      I’m glad it’s still a useful video.

  • @phoenixrising1576
    @phoenixrising1576 2 роки тому +1

    Really helpful as always Ian, many thanks : )

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  2 роки тому +1

      Thank you for watching it.

  • @lee8org
    @lee8org 2 роки тому +5

    I would go for MXL 990. I do own AT2020 and it is OK microphone but my MXL V67i is again better.

  • @apock88
    @apock88 Рік тому +3

    Thanks for the review Ian, the AT2020 self noise sounded a bit higher to me.

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  Рік тому +1

      Yes, it is a bit higher.

  • @jamesbondaygee
    @jamesbondaygee Рік тому +1

    Nice little comparison thanks I've always use the MXL 990 ever since I got into music recording and I've always wanted an at4040. Do you think that will be a significant jump in quality?

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  Рік тому +1

      I think the at4040 would work really well. I noticed a big difference even between the at2020 and 2035. More focused sound and less noise on the 2035 so I think the 4040 would be nice!

  • @dbdel
    @dbdel Рік тому

    What are your thoughts on the MXL 2006 compared to these?

  • @corymacdougall3469
    @corymacdougall3469 2 роки тому +6

    Mxl sounds better thank you for the test.

  • @sarielmusic92
    @sarielmusic92 Рік тому +1

    Hello Friend, i receive the set tomorow 13 september, and ill do this...take the plug noise reduction cause i know this microphone is a little too sssss but with eq corection it will be ok i think....

  • @apock88
    @apock88 2 роки тому +10

    I could definitely ear the higher noise floor on the AT2020, the MXL also sounded a bit better in my opinion.

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  2 роки тому

      I like the MXL as well to be honest. Great value for money package.

  • @dannyabaldo3191
    @dannyabaldo3191 2 роки тому +1

    I am getting a mic i am looking at these two
    I heard of the mxl by videos and some pro studios are using, one vis by a pro said he always seems to go back to his mxl
    I must make my mind up soon.

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  2 роки тому +2

      For me, I think the MXL is better for my voice than the AT2020. I quite like it actually.

    • @dannyabaldo3191
      @dannyabaldo3191 2 роки тому +1

      @@iancraig yes i agree esp male vox getting that one thanx for commenting on my question

  • @ELECTRICSCARS
    @ELECTRICSCARS Рік тому +6

    MXL 990 way better

  • @abhishekk.r8773
    @abhishekk.r8773 5 місяців тому +2

    Which microphone is better for rap vocals mxl 990 or at2020 please tell

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  5 місяців тому

      I’ve never rapped in my life! The MXL is slightly clearer up in the top end.

  • @amy20rofficial
    @amy20rofficial 2 роки тому +2

    Please suggest me gyz for rap vocals Akg p120 or mxl 990???

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  2 роки тому +2

      Only used mxl990.

    • @amy20rofficial
      @amy20rofficial 2 роки тому +1

      @@iancraig thnku 🙏

    • @sarielmusic92
      @sarielmusic92 Рік тому +1

      @@iancraig The AKG P120 is very warm and good for rap and MXL 990 is good too for rap and sing

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  Рік тому

      You’re using a 990 though aren’t you?

  • @s.mortezanabavi708
    @s.mortezanabavi708 Рік тому +5

    To me, MXL 990 goes to a less self noise level and also more brilliant vocal sound.

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  Рік тому +3

      Yes. I prefer the MXL too.

  • @mehmetcanbasar2384
    @mehmetcanbasar2384 Рік тому

    For rap vokals which one is better?

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  Рік тому

      Rap vocal isn’t that different from any other vocal. Both would work well. The MXL will accentuate transients in the voice a little more than the AT, so crisper ‘t’s and ‘s’ on MXL.

    • @mehmetcanbasar2384
      @mehmetcanbasar2384 Рік тому

      @@iancraig so which would you prefer?

    • @iancraig
      @iancraig  Рік тому +1

      My own preference is MXL. However, with mics, there is no ‘best’. It really depends on what kind of sound you prefer.
      If you listen on the video, you might hear any differences that are important to you. Your own opinion is more important than mine.
      If you can’t hear any differences, I’d go for the cheapest one!