Kit

Marantz Professional Pod Pack 1 Review / Test

Today we are testing out a microphone pack that I picked up for $17; the Marantz Professional Pod Pack 1 Kit.

If you are interested in this microphone kit, it will set you back $17 on Amazon

What's In the Box

  1. Microphone

  2. USB Cable

  3. Microphone Mount

  4. Boom Arm Mic Stand

  5. Documentation

Specifications

  1. Frequency Response: 20Hz - 17kHz

  2. Polar Pattern: Cardioid

  3. Sensitivity: -34dB

  4. Max SPL: 132dB

  5. Impedance: 100-Ohms

  6. Power Requirement: 5v Provided Through USB Plug

Performance / Features

The build quality of this mic is nothing special. It has an all plastic construction and it does not feel like it can handle a beating. There are no features on the microphone; no headphone port, no light, nothing. The boom arm has an all metal construction, and feels very reminiscent of a Neewer Boom Arm, and I was not able to tighten the head to ensure the microphone would not swivel. 

The frequency response of this mic is 20Hz - 17kHz, and in all honesty, the mic sounds decent. It doesn't have the greatest low end performance, but it has a decent amount high frequencies without sounding harsh. 

The cardioid polar pattern, also did an admirable job. It did a good job at rejection on the sides of the mic, but as you move around the back, it starts to pick up low frequencies again. It also did pick up a bit of keyboard noise as well, but it wasn't unbearable. 

I was absolutely blown away by this microphones noise floor. This is typically the place where you can tell that you're using a budget usb microphone, but the preamps in this thing were extremely clean all the way up to 75%, at which point you start to get a slight bit of digital noise. But all around, the audio was still usable; all you would have to do is pass the audio through a noise gate.

Pros

  • Super cheap

  • Low noise floor

  • Decent audio performance

  • Comes with everything you need to start recording

Cons

  • Build quality feels subpar

Conclusion

When reviewing this mic, it was important to remember that I picked this up for under $20. For that price, I think that this microphone pack is an absolute steal. Out of all the budget USB microphones I have tested to date, this one has the best sound quality on instruments, on voice, and ESPECIALLY on the noise floor (apparent during the gain test). If you are looking for a budget USB microphone, then buy this pack and a pop filter and you should be set, and ready to start recording!

If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them on the youtube video, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

Buy it on Amazon
US: http://amzn.to/2lumDvv
UK: http://amzn.to/2ksfGv2

MXL 990 XLR Condenser Mic Review / Test

Today I am reviewing MXL 990 XLR Condenser Microphone. This is part 1 of 2 of the MXL 990/991 Recording Kit review series. This is the larger of the two microphones in the kit and it is designed as Vocal/Instrument Mic. It is also a condenser microphone, which means it will require phantom power to work properly, so keep that in mind when you are considering this recording kit.

If you are interested in this microphone, it will set you back $90 on Amazon

What's In the Box

  1. Microphone
  2. Microphone Mount
  3. Hard Shell Carrying Case
  4. Documentation
  5. 1-Year Warranty

Performance / Features

The build of this microphone feels pretty nice. It has an all metal construction and an all metal grill. It has some substantial weight to it too. It feels all around like a well built sturdy microphone. It doesn't feel like it's as high quality as an AT2035, but keep in mind that this microphone is between $50-$60 (if you buy the kit). 

The frequency response of this mic is listed as 30Hz - 20kHz which is a very nice range. It sounded relatively nice on vocals and electric guitar, but when I tested it on the acoustic it sounded a little bit thin. This could have been easily remedied by altering the microphones position. Regardless of the mic positions, it does seem to lack a little bit in the low end.

The microphone also offers a cardioid polar pattern. This means it picks up audio directly in front of the microphone and picks up little to no audio around the sides or back of the mic. It seems to be a narrow pick up range, which helps eliminate a lot of the unwanted keyboard noise in the background.

Pros

  • Cheap
  • Nice construction
  • Sturdy case
  • Nice sound on voice & electric guitar
  • Good at eliminating background noise

Cons

  • Lacks a little in low end

Conclusion

All around I think this is a nice sounding microphone for the price. It sounded nice on the vocals and the electric guitar, but did seem to lack a little in the low end. I think this would be a great option for gamers because it does help eliminate a lot of the background noise and has a good clean sound for vocals. This would also work really well as an entry level studio mic set and will allow you to play around with multiple micing positions if you opt for the mic kit.

If you have any additional questions about this microphone, leave them in the comments on this site or on the youtube channel, and I will try to reply ASAP. 

Buy the MXL990 / 991 Package
US: http://amzn.to/29ZPZBL
UK: http://amzn.to/29LBO3j