Detail 01
Cardioid pattern
Picks up mostly what is in front, rejects the rear. Keeps room reflections and monitor bleed out of the take.
Product detailSKU #1274115046145
MXL990 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone With Shockmount
1/8
Independent shopping perspective
The Korena take
Entry-level large-diaphragm cardioid condenser for home recording of vocals and acoustic instruments. Needs an interface with phantom power.
Strong match
Who this is for
- First home studio vocal chain on a tight budget
- Podcast or voiceover work in a treated room
- Miking acoustic guitar, piano, or light percussion
Consider the trade-offs
When to look elsewhere
- Anyone without an interface or preamp supplying 48V
- Live stage use where handling noise and bleed matter
- Engineers wanting a neutral reference mic for critical work
What matters in use
The specifications, translated
Catalog numbers tell only part of the story. These are the details most likely to change how this product feels, sounds, or fits into a setup.
Detail 02
48V phantom power required
Will not pass signal from a plain XLR input. Your interface or mixer must have a phantom switch.
Detail 03
130dB max SPL
Handles loud sources without the capsule distorting, including snare, guitar cabs, and belted vocals up close.
Detail 04
30Hz–20kHz response
Full range top to bottom. Low end reaches below any vocal fundamental, so proximity buildup is audible up close.
Detail 05
Shockmount included
Suspends the mic in elastic, so desk thumps and floor vibration do not travel into the capsule.
Detail 06
1.2 lb, 2.4 inch diameter
Light enough for a basic boom arm, but the body diameter needs a full-size stand mount rather than a clip-on.
Final check
Know before you order
- 01No XLR cable and no stand included — budget for both
- 02Requires an interface or mixer with 48V phantom power
- 03Sensitive to room echo; record in a soft, treated space
Product questions
Before you decide
Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.
01Can I plug this into my computer directly?
No. It is an analog XLR condenser and needs an audio interface or mixer that supplies 48V phantom power and converts the signal to USB.
02Does it come with a cable?
No. A standard XLR cable is not included. The shockmount, clip, and a case are.
03Is it good for loud sources like guitar amps?
It handles up to 130dB SPL, so a guitar cab or drum kit will not overload it at normal miking distances.
04Do I need a pop filter?
For close vocals, yes. Plosives hit large-diaphragm condensers hard, and no filter is included with the mic.
Reference
Full specifications
The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.
4 detailsSound
- Max SPL
- 130dB
- Capsule
- Condenser
- Polar Pattern
- Cardioid
- Frequency Response
- 30Hz–20kHz
1 detailsPickups & controls
- Switches
- None
1 detailsBody & build
- Type
- Mounted
3 detailsConnections & power
- Phantom Power Required
- Yes
- Analog or Digital
- Analog
- Connectivity
- XLR
3 detailsSize & weight
- Length
- 5.11 inch
- Weight
- 1.2
- Diameter
- 2.4 inch
5 detailsIn the box
- Shockmount
- ✓ Included
- Case or Gig Bag
- ✓ Included
- Stand
- ✕ Not included
- Cable
- ✕ Not included
- Clip
- ✓ Included
