recordinghacks

MXL 606

Detachable-Capsule Pencil Condenser Microphone

The MXL 606 is a small-diaphragm FET condenser designed for instrument miking. It includes both Cardioid and Omnidirectional capsules.

Its sensitivity and self-noise ratings are moderate, at 14 mV/Pa and 17dBA respectively. For close-miking loud sources, as is this mic’s intended application, the self-noise would likely be inaudible.

An onboard pad (-20dB) and high-pass filter (-6dB/octave @ 150Hz) enable the mic to accommodate loud sources — 137dB SPL (0.5%THD). Unlike the MXL 604, the pad and filter on the 606 are on separate switches, enabling them to be used independently or together.

According to MXL staff, the 606 has a cleaner sound than the 603S and 604, due to improved electronics.

Although the 606 includes both Cardioid and Omni capsules, like the MXL 604, these capsules are not compatible from one mic to the other. The 603S/604 are narrower (22mm), and the capsule head construction differs in that the 603S/604 capsules do not include the vents behind the diaphragm.

The MXL 606 includes a plastic clip (MXL p/n MXL H-03) and a metal flightcase (p/n MXL 606 Mic Case). It is compatible with shockmount MXL-41-603, sold separately, as well as any other universal pencil-mic shockmount for 23mm bodies.

This mic appears in MXL’s new (announced 2012) drum recording mic kits, intended for snare-drum use. Its relatively short length and onboard pad are handy features for this application.

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The mic was released in 2011.

Specifications

Compatible Capsules
MXL 606 Cardioid 20mm Cardioid capsule Sensitivity: 15 mV/Pa CHARTFreq. Resp.: 20 - 20,000 Hz MSRP: n/a | Still In Production MXL 606 Omni 20mm Omnidirectional capsule Sensitivity: mV/Pa Freq. Resp.: n/a MSRP: n/a | Still In Production

Pads & Filters	Impedance	SPL/Noise
Pad: -20dB (Via Switch) Filter: HPF: -6dB/octave @ 150 Hz (Via Switch)	150 Ohms (Low)	Max SPL: 137 dB Self-noise: 17.0 dB(A)

Weight	Length	Max Diameter	Interface(s)
113g (3.99oz)	110mm (4.33'')	23mm (0.91'')	3-pin XLR male (1)

Power Specifications
Requires phantom power Phantom voltage: 48±4v

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