Product Comparison: MXL R150 vs MXL R144

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Best Pick

MXL R150 Ribbon Microphone

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MXL R144 Ribbon Microphone with Shockmount

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General Specifications

Brand

MXL

Model

R150

R144

Origin

China

About the Product

The MXL R150 Ribbon microphone uses an aluminum ribbon transducer which by nature is a bidirectional (figure-8) pickup pattern. A figure-8 pattern will pick up sounds from the front and back sides of the microphone with equal sensitivity while maintaining a large amount of rejection 90° off access.

Ribbon microphones are known for their rich, warm sound and have been used to capture some of the most legendary recordings in history. The MXL R144 ribbon microphone delivers a creamy smooth sound with incredibly natural characteristics.

Key Specs

Microphone Type

Ribbon Velocity

Polar Pattern

Figure 8

Minimum Frequency Response

20 Hz

Maximum Frequency Response

17 kHz

What customers say about "Key Specs"

MXL R150 Ribbon Microphone

Has a nice natural sound, with rolled off highs and a very strong proximity effect.
It is a ribbon microphone, so it is quirky as all getout. The proximity effect is very pronounced, the distance falloff is absurd, the preamplification levels required are enormous. Be ready to go to war. But for certain voices it adds a distinct smoothness to the sound.
Make sure you store a ribbon mic correctly with the ribbon being vertical always. Lying any ribbon flat will make it sag over time. do however use them for a room mic or drum overheads and they perform well.
Great price for a RIBBON microphone but I'd figured you, MXL, as the manufacturer and vendor, would know that this is NOT a condenser microphone, and in fact is a RIBBON microphone. This is clear by the ribbon motor showing through the headbasket in the picture.
I remove one star because the ribbon was sagging, almost to where it would touch the blast screen. A loose ribbon results in an overly bassy sound and low output. I took it apart and adjusted the tension on the ribbon, now it sounds great.
I knocked a star off because the first one was DOA. The quality of the interior bits isn't spectacular (but which electronics are nowadays), but it works as advertised. If you want to check out a ribbon, this is the one to play with.

MXL R144 Ribbon Microphone with Shockmount

One of the best low price ribbon mics. No excessive filters or junk in the way of the ribbon. Decent high frequency response for a ribbon and fairly good output.
Sine this mic is lower frequency, my hihats don't overpower the mix and the bass is true. Not bad for hi-pitched voices either.
This microphone provides an amazing sound that you can work with and shape into a truly stunning final output with a little signal processing.
This ribbon mic is one of the best bargains available if you have the right set-up to use with it. On it's own you might find the microphone sounding low in output level and dull in the higher frequencies, but plug it in to a good preamp then into a good equalizer.
I bought this to record Cello and Djembe. When recording certain low-frequency notes, a high pitched buzzing occurs.
Doesn't sound warm at all like other ribbon microphones i've used. sounds really mid-rangey.

Size & Weight

Height

6.75 in.

Width

1.85 in.

Depth

1.85 in.

Weight

0.85 lbs.

Features

Maximum SPL

130 dB SPL

Output Impedance

250 Ω

Microphone Sensitivity

-56.0dB

-36.0dB

Interface

XLR

Power Options

Not needed

Extras

High SPL Handling, Low frequency roll-off to reduce unwanted rumble, Precise Directivity, Shockmount

Classic ribbon sound with a rich smooth midrange, Figure-8 polar pattern that captures instruments and room sound, High SPL capability—ideal for horns and electric guitars, Compact design that makes mic placement easy, Great mic to broaden the tonal palette of your sound

Maximum SPL
Output Impedance

What customers say about "Features"

MXL R150 Ribbon Microphone

Works great on guitar, and I also use this on drums in Glyn Johns method. It picks up my floor tom real nice, my harsh sounding cymbals now sound great.
Due to the low output of the microphone, I recommend a fethead, or cloud lifter if you plan to record low volume instruments or vocals.
Great classic midrange punch, the shockmounts are good quality and with some decent preamps behind them (I'm using a vintage soundtracks desk), they really are great as drum rooms, on vocals and paired with a 57 on guitars.
One amazing microphone, I love this mic its so amazing. This will be my mic for the future and present. I recommend this mic to radio casters or broadcasters, Looking to get the best natural quality of your voice.
You can use it on vocals and other instruments as i have this mic sounds great and i would recommend this to anyone.

MXL R144 Ribbon Microphone with Shockmount

It's going to be a great entry-level mic for someone, or just as something to have around, but I found the sound to be too harsh for the vocal applications I tend to use.
The construction seems to be solid with good weight. Good for vocal for duets because of the figure 8 pickup.
So far, so good. It’s really nice on my vocals where I’m either singing in a higher range or singing quickly. It also sounds great on my acoustic guitar with silk and steel strings.
Very low, and muddy output even after running it through a nice Art pre-amp with custom tubes... So idk what the problem is

Warranty / Certifications

Manufacturer Warranty

1 year(s)

Certifications

CE, EAC

Other Information

Manufacturer

Link

Manual

Download