Korena by Guitar Center
Product detailSKU #1274115046191

MXLMic Mate XLR to USB Converter With Phantom Power

MXL
MXL Mic Mate XLR to USB Converter With Phantom Power
1/8

Independent shopping perspective

The Korena take

Small XLR-to-USB adapter that turns one microphone into a USB input, phantom power included. For single-mic recording without an interface.

MXL Mic Mate XLR to USB Converter With Phantom Power product detail
Product studyMXL Mic Mate XLR to USB Converter With Phantom Power
MXL Mic Mate XLR to USB Converter With Phantom Power alternate view
Alternate view

Strong match

Who this is for

  • Laptop recording where an interface is too big or too costly
  • Podcasting or interviews with one XLR mic on the road
  • Adding a condenser to a computer setup that lacks phantom power

Consider the trade-offs

When to look elsewhere

  • Recording two or more mics at once — this handles one channel
  • Players needing zero-latency headphone monitoring for overdubs
  • Anyone who wants line or instrument inputs for guitar or synth

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.

MXL Mic Mate XLR to USB Converter With Phantom Power construction detail

Detail 01

XLR in, USB out

Plugs onto the mic end and straight into a computer port. Replaces a mic cable and interface in one small barrel.

Detail 02

Supplies phantom power

Condenser mics that need 48V will work off this without a separate preamp or mixer.

Detail 03

Single channel

One mic only. Two-person interviews need two units, and the computer may fight over which device to use.

Detail 04

Bus powered over USB

No wall adapter or batteries. Draws everything from the computer, so a hub with weak power can cause dropouts.

Detail 05

Converter, not an interface

No knobs, meters or headphone jack in the signal path — gain and monitoring are handled in software.

Final check

Know before you order

  1. 01You still need a USB cable and a mic stand or desk mount
  2. 02No headphone output, so monitor from the computer's own jack
  3. 03Modern laptops may need a USB-A to USB-C adapter
MXL Mic Mate XLR to USB Converter With Phantom Power close-up

Product questions

Before you decide

Straight answers to the questions shoppers most often ask about this product.

01Will this power a condenser mic?

Yes. It supplies phantom power over USB, so condensers that need 48V run without a separate mixer or interface.

02Can I record two mics with it?

Not with one unit. It is a single-channel converter, so a second mic needs its own converter and a computer that can combine both inputs.

03Does it work with dynamic mics?

Yes. Dynamic mics ignore phantom power and run fine, though quiet dynamics may need more gain than a small converter comfortably gives.

04Do I need drivers?

It appears as a standard USB audio device on current computers. Select it as the input in your recording software.

Reference

Full specifications

The complete catalog record, organized around the decisions musicians make when comparing gear.

1 detailsBody & build
Color
Black
5 detailsOther
Category Source
detail
Tier
new
Korena Special
false
Source Id
site51274115046191
Prop65
WARNING: This product can expose you to chemicals including Lead, which is known to the State of California to cause cancer, and Lead, which is known to cause birth defects or other reproductive harm. For more information go to www.P65Warnings.ca.gov.

Complete your setup

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