MXL 2003 Studio Condenser Microphone with Shock Mount

Cardioid polar pattern. Bass cut and -10dB pad switch.

Overall User Ratings

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10

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"Spend more money if you want to impress people with the cost and the wow value of the expensive nameplate."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
The good sound is number one. A selectable pick-up pattern might be nice if added.

Quality:
I have had no failures or mechanical problems and have packed and unpacked them countless times.

Value:
I purchased my first two for $249 each and was verry happy to purchase two more for $149 each, a bargain!

Desirability:
It feels heavy, looks great.

Sound:
I own four of the MXL2003 and have used them on choirs and jazz orchestras. The performers have been impressed with the sound. The mic. has good clarity and a pleasing low freq. response. I have used them to record live performances using a coincident pair configuration that seems to give a feeling of the room. I use the mics. with a CD burner and am now experimenting with a PowerBook G4 with a Lexicon Omega studio and a Mackie 1202-VLZ mixer. I am an amateur but have been told that my recordings sound better than those made by some professional studios.

Support:
I have had no need for support.

Overall:
I would replace the mics. with Neuman if I won the lottery just because I could. I like the smooth sound and good freq. response. If I had to replace them I might like a switchable pattern Cardioid / Omni directional. The product was very new when I bought the first two, they seemed unbelievable for the price. I feel lucky to have stumbled onto such a good choice at the start of my recording endeavors.

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"Great mic, great price"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
Nice shock-mount. dB switch is nice. Wish the carrying case was padded. Otherwise, no complaints.

Quality:
Solid.

Value:
Can't get a better mic for the price.

Desirability:
I've got two. Wouldn't mind having two more.

Sound:
I haven't used that many different mics, but I can't imagine doing significantly better than this. It sounds wonderful.

Support:
Had a problem that was unrelated to the mic, and when I called the company, they were very helpful.

Overall:
Just a great mic for the price.

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"Looking for clean, natural sound? The Marshall MXL2003 is it."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
With a -10db and bass cut switch, what else could one ask for?

Quality:
Heavy and very well constructed.

Value:
The sonic detail and fidelity of this mic says it all. EXCELLENT

Desirability:
The color (black), professional feel, and of course the sound are exceptional.

Sound:
When recording orchestra, this mic exhibits fantastic detail and excellent balance. This mic coupled with a Mackie Onyx 400 makes for an excellent home or mobile recording setup with the ability to deliver professional results.

Ease of Use:
For vocals, you'll need a wind screen. Otherwise, this mic faithfully reproduces the performance in all it's detail.

Support:
Never needed it so I can't rate it.

Overall:
I will definitely be purchasing more MXL2003 mics. The price/performance is great!!

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"This is the truth and nuthin' but the truth"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
I love the fact that this mic has a bass roll off and -10dB switch on it. These features ultimately come in handy. Also it brung a shock mount and carrying bag. Really the only thing missing would have been a pop filter, but hey, you cant have it all when your getting more in the first plact, or can you...

Quality:
This product is visually flawless, when i got it, it was carefully wrapped and in its place, no marks or tarnishes were found. Not that I would shake my microphone, but is seems as if the parts are "tighly woven" for a lack of better terms. I see no problems with the quality of this product.

Value:
It is totally worth the buying price, exept for the fact that its cheaper now that when i initially bought it, i didnt mind the price much.

Desirability:
I just liked the fact that it was big and heavy, but other than that, I dont reallybuy products for their looks, i buy them for their practicality.

Sound:
Well, I would agree with anyone that says that this mic is a very versatile one indeed. As a sax player and Hip-Hop/Reggaeton producer I can deeply say that it has helped me to succed in the mix downs of my recordings. The only real thing to watch out for would be the proximity effect. When recording, stay a moderate distance away, but don't worry, it'll catch you.

Support:
I have never had any problems with this mic but im sure if i ever did i wouldnt have any difficulties getting it fixed, just remember, ALWAYS REGISTER YOUR PRODUCT!!!!!!!!

Overall:
So far i have had this product for about a year or two, and i see no problems with it. Although im sure that i will eventually go out and get another mic, just because thats the kind of person i am, i am overall satisfied with my MXL 2003

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"Why have I just told you about my secret weapon?"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
Enough features for the price. I don't need a swiss army mic anyway. Capture my vocals and make it sound so good I get goosebumps. Thats all I ask.

Value:
Highly competitive price point. MXL wins.

Desirability:
You have to accept the fact that this is not considered a high end brand, but if neumann put this capsule/electronics in on eof their mics, it would sell and the reviews would be favorable.

Sound:
Sounds as good as any mic at any price. Captures vocals with perfection. Don't buy that mic just because its expensive. Buy this one. This will be your favorite mic. I only record vocals. I play with other mics but still have not found one to rival this. I couldn't imagine one would. Poor man's Neumann? No, smart man's Neumann. Buy this then buy your kids some new clothes.

Ease of Use:
Plug it in.

Support:
Mine broke. Could it have been because I left it in sub-zero weather in my trunk for too long? It was likely my fault it failed. Called MXL, they say send it. I sent on mon. and recieved it back thurs. same week. MXL appreciates their customers.

Overall:
The difference between mics today is minute. These Minute differences, seem to be huge leaps and bounds in our minds. The minds of the critical listener. If you are not so critical, use your fiscal sense and buy what you can afford. If you are a critical listener, buy the MXL 2003. Actually, all of you, buy the MXL 2003.

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"BUY ONE!!!!!!!"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Ease of Use:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
I like the fact that it has a bass rollof switch so i have to do very little eq'ing! makes music producing simple.

Quality:
when i first heard this mic i thought it was a $800 or $900 mic.

Value:
Like i said I thought this was a $800 or $900 mic but you get a great deal for only $150!

Desirability:
If i were you (person reading this review)I would kill to have this mic for vocal recording.

Sound:
I love this mic. I own a couple of mics like an audio technica at 3035, mxl 990, nuemann tlm 103, and the mxl 2003. Out of all of the mics i own not one can compare to this one exept for my nuemann, but other than that the best mic i own!

Ease of Use:
plug it in

Support:
NO SUPPORT

Overall:
BEST MIC FROM $50 to $900!

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"May I Have Another?"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Support:
* . . . . . . . . . 1 out of 10
 
 
 
zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
Feature:
Bass cut, -10db and pretty nice shock mount. (this mount really works)

Quality:
although most are sturdy and strong there was one occasion where the mic was producing a thunderous static noise. it was so bad that i couldn't hear the recordings.

Value:
once you get going, for vacals nothing that i have tried has been as clean and crisp as the 2003. i even have the audio technica 3035 andand for rap it is a great one but cannot touch the 2003 for vocals.

Desirability:
very sleek. professional looking and sounding. all black finish, can't go wrong

Sound:
i have been recording rap, r&b and gospel for about two years and this is by far the best sounding mic in my collection. very open crisp and clear sound. SWEET!

Support:
I e-mailed the company twice and didn't hear back from them at all. my problem was not solved at all.

Overall:
i am ordering another one as we speak, the durability could be better but i am willing to take a small hit for this professional sound.

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"Great value for a cheap no nonsense all-purpose mic."

Overall:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * . . . . . 5 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * . 9 out of 10
Sound:
* * * * * * * . . . 7 out of 10
Support:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
Feature:
Nothing special just a pad and a rolloff switch. NOTE! One cannot be used simultaneously with the other.

Quality:
Feels extremely solid but I have a special Mogomi edition. These are Chinese mass produced microphones that sound pretty great for the money. I imagine quality control is what you pay for.

Value:
There are a lot of cheap Chinese mics in this range coming out and all sound fairly good. This one stands out of the cheap seats.

Sound:
I have this mic as well as the v67. This one sounds much flatter and neutral -- possibly a tad on the cold glassy side. Definitely good for recording crunchy guitars, aggressive vocals or sounds that need to cut through the mix. V67 is much better for warming up vocals and seems to push the sound up front more.

Support:
The company president regularly posts and replies to posts on Homerecording.com

Overall:
Wish it had more polar patterns but that would increase the price.

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MXL2003 Condenser Mic Customer Review

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
We basically use these mikes for live vocal acappella recording. They sound really warm and full and have a very good acoustic separation from the other mikes with their cardiod pattern. (We use six at a time) We've tried other mikes (condenser and dynamic), but for the money, these are the best. They have the physical feel of much more expensive mikes. (They are heavy) So far, we are very pleased with our purchase and would heartily recommend these mikes to others who need good recording mikes on a limited budget.
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"Big ticket features, budget price"

Overall:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Features:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
Quality:
* * * * * * * * . . 8 out of 10
Value:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
I Want It:
* * * * * * * * * * 10 out of 10
 
 
 
If you are on a budget (and who isn't) and you want a studio condenser mic with all the detail, clarity and features of the "big boys" this is the mic for you! It's no high-end Neumann, Sennheiser or AKG but you don't need a home equity loan to buy it either!
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