Marshal MXL 991 Cardioid vs. Azden SGM 1x

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EJShin

Member
Hello, I've been a lurker in these forums for about a year, so I decided it was about time I posted something.

I've been an owner of an Azden SGM - 1x for a while and was saving up to replace it with something else. However, I've also owned a Marshall MXL 991 for about two and a half years and I really haven't touched it until recently. I originally got it to record some drums and never thought about using it to record dialogue. But I got bored and thought I'd test it out for s***s and giggles. I plugged it in to my SD MM-1, flipped on the low-pass filter, and fed it some power. I was very shocked to find out this mic included in a 2 mic $99 kit kicked the crap out of the Azden left and right. Then again, the SGM 1x sounds like everyone has a sock in their mouth. So big woop, huh? Sadly, the rear rejection isn't the greatest and it does seem to pick up the reverb of the room, so I wouldn't necessarily recommend this to anyone to record dialogue, but it really shows how deficient the Azden mic really is. To think a cheap instrument mic beat out something I paid $150 for makes me sick. I'm just going to go get an Oktava and save up for a nice shotgun like the MKH 416.
 
I do have the MXL 990 + 991 kit like you mentioned. Used it on a set a few weeks back and surprisingly I like how the 991 sounds. I also have a borrowed Oktava MK012 hyper from DVXuser "jade8472" and compared the both. Both mics are about equally in quality except that the 991 is a bit more brittle on the high end.

I've never used an Azden before. If you have compared the both and noticed a difference, then you're probably right that the 991 beats the Azden.

An Oktava in your kit would be a very good investment, such recommened by Matt and others. I won't comment on the MKH416 since several members here love them. For my personal taste, I would choose a Schoeps CMIT5U as my main gun for outdoors. It's warm, but the MKH is also warm just in another way. Bringing along your MKH416 on production would be impressive, but using it properly is another skill that you have to master. I remember starting out knowing a little about remote recording. Once I've found this place, it's like a home to me. Every member here is a family member willing to help and bring the community closer. Hope others will chime in.

*And welcome to the forum!
 
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Marshal mics are by most reports fairly decent. I've heard that the large diaphragm one can be modified and sound really good. I believe they are basically Chinese knock offs (read Studio Sound et all) that have gone through some quality control at Marshal.
 
EJShin, I feel your pain. I paid almost 500 for my me66 and everyone now says the octavia for about 170 is way better. Whish I had my 500.

(I was very shocked to find out this mic included in a 2 mic $99 kit kicked the crap out of the Azden left and right. )
 
i have a cure for your pain - find the next sucker on eBay :-)
these are 2 different mics , in noisy outside exterior the me would be better choice.
it is not so bad mic , it just totally overpriced one if you check others you can get for less or for the same sum .
 
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