4.1Where To BuyAmazonAdmittedly, the MXL CR89 is the first MXL microphone I’ve ever brought into the studio. For several years I’ve had a few MXL microphones in my live kit and found them to be quite serviceable on the stage. This time MXL sent me a microphone that belonged in the studio with the rebranded V89 now called the CR89. The CR89 is a Large Diaphragm Condenser mic with no roll off, pad, or pattern options.MXL CR89 SpecificationsMXL CR89 Specifications Type: Condenser pressure gradient mic with large 32mm capsule Diaphragm: Gold-sputtered, 6 micron diaphragm Frequency Response: 20 Hz—20kHz Polar pattern: Cardioid Sensitivity: -30 dB re 1 V/Pat Impedance: 150 ohms Max output: 1K load: + 13 dBu Max SPL for 0.5% THD: 138 dB SPL S/N Ratio: 80 dB (Ref. 1 Pa A-weighted) Equivalent Noise Level: 14 dB (A-weighted IEC 651) Dynamic Range: 124 dB Power Requirements: Phantom power 48V ± 4V Weight: 1.85lbs Size: 64mm x 185mm Metal Finish: Black and Black chromeMXL CR89 Frequency ResponseMXL CR89 Frequency Response & Polar PatternBuildThe CR89 is heavy and feels quite solid. It ships well packed in a rugged, aluminum flight case with shock mount and microfiber cleaning cloth. While I didn’t put the microphone through any rigorous, physical tests to check it’s durability, it can certainly withstand any amount of regular use a studio might put it through with ease.Tone For The MoneyThe CR89 sounds like a microphone that costs a few times more than the $349 street price. The first thing I noticed, and you will also from the audio clips, is that it’s a rather hot mic. If you were to place this microphone in front of a high SPL sound, like a snare drum, I trust that you’d have to engage a pad if you were to be driving the preamp pretty hard for saturation. It’s also a clean sound that sparkles up top. If you want detailed top end, this microphone performs wonderfully. I also found that it wasn’t very susceptible to proximity effect when I leaned right into it while singing.If you want detailed top end, this microphone performs wonderfully.My only criticism, and typically my criticism with many cheaper LDC microphones, is that if you’r e working with a bright or edgy sound source or an overly sibilant singer, the CR89 tends to accentuate that a bit too much for my liking. Some targeted equalization may help to resolve that if you had only this microphone on hand. The CR89 could have probably benefited from a roll off, pad, and polar pattern switch, but then the mic wouldn’t have been a mere $249.The TestI put the CR89 to the test with my voice and my Gibson CL20 Standard Plus using a John Hardy 990 preamp. I’ve provided a couple of examples for review using the CR89 as well as a 414 XLII for comparison. To illustrate the sensitivity of the MXL microphone I set preamp gains identical to one another. However to show the finer details of the microphone as it compares to a more expensive LDC, I level matched them and increased the overall output gain. It should also be noted, that I didn’t use a pop filter in the vocal test.You Be The JudgeWith little proximity effect and a sparkly top end, I found the CR89 to be very usable on acoustic guitar and even acceptable on my voice. I can even speculate that it might be your “go to” mic for shaker and tambourine or even a room mic. Take a listen to the clips and see for yourself that this microphone, at a mere $249, deserves a spot in any mic locker.MXL CR89 Microphone ReviewValueBuild/DesignVersatilitySoundReader Rating4 Votes2.954.1ConclusionIf you want detailed top end, this microphone performs wonderfully. The MXL CR89 deserves a spot in any mic locker.Where To BuyAmazonLeave a Reply Cancel ReplyYour email address will not be published.CommentName* Email* Website This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.
