Recording - March 2013 - 20
B Y PA U L V N U K J R .
A new voice in a familiar package
The CR30 is visually and stylistically similar to MXL’s
V88, which we looked at in our February 2009 issue.
Like the V88 it is housed in the company’s short-scale
body and makes use of the same gold-sputtered 32 mm,
6 micron thick capsule. Both models are cardioid and
share similar specs, like a 20 Hz to 20 kHz frequency
range, 25mV/Pa sensitivity, 150 Ohm impedance, and
an 80 dB signal-to-noise ratio. The CR30 and the V88
also both have a 158 dB maximum SPL level, due to a
2-stage pad switch with settings of –10 and –20 dB. But
the two mics are voiced differently, so don’t expect the
CR30 to just be a V88 with a new finish.
One standout performance was
on a source for which I would
almost never use a budget-level
large-diaphragm condenser—
drum overheads!
When I originally reviewed the V88 I found it to be
a slightly mid-forward mic with a smooth top end, as
well as full, pleasant and clean sound. I also brought
up a level of warmth in that review, but in retrospect
that was more due to where it stood in contrast to many
of the similarly priced ultra-bright budget mics with
which it shares the market. Comparing it (I still have
mine!) with the CR30, I find the CR30 to be the warmer
and fuller of the two.
“Rich warm tonality with bite” (!)
If you find that to be an odd descriptive, I stole it
from MXL’s own marketing language for the CR30. I
still find it to be an apt description of the CR30, which
features a nice, slightly forward bottom end around
MXL CR30
Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Affordable class for the up-and-coming small studio
The CR30 is a shiny new microphone from MXL, and I mean literally this
thing is shiny. That’s because the CR30 is the cornerstone of a new line of
microphones from MXL to feature a gorgeous black chrome finish. Currently
there are two other models in the line, the vocal-centric CR24 and the CR24p
pencil condenser, both sold exclusively in the CR24 recording kit.
The CR30 is one of MXL’s microphones for the budget-conscious, with
a list price of a mere $200 making it well suited to the beginner.
20
RECORDING March 2013
100 to 180 Hz, a slight 3 kHz scoop, and a top end
that is smooth and subdued with a subtle 4 kHz bump
or bite, rounded out with a similarly subtle 10 kHz rise
that rolls off after 15 kHz.
While the V88 was in my opinion best suited to
vocals, the CR30 is much more of an all-round utility
model and suited to any number of uses.
Recording - March 2013
Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recording - March 2013
Recording - March 2013
Fade In
Table of Contents
Talkback
Fast Forward
Behringer X32
MXL CR30 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Plug-in Performance on Windows-based DAWs
Steinberg CMC Series USB Controllers For Cubase
Recording’s Showcase of Sounds: Rob Papen Punch
Plug-in Outlet: 2C Audio B2
Universal Audio Precision K-Stereo and Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor
Big Money Drums—Part 2
Reviewed & Revisited: Acoustica Mixcraft 6
Plug-in Outlet: Massey Plugins CT5 Compressor
The Mixing Workshop: Better Mixes Through Creative Editing—Part 2 (The Band)
Readers' Tapes
Kush Audio Clariphonic Parallel Equalizer and Clariphonic DSP Plug-in
Plug-in Outlet: Eventide H3000 Factory
Reviewed & Revisited: iZotope Alloy 2
Recording Fundamentals. Chapter 15: Sweet Spot Conundrums—Part 2
Plug-in Outlet: PSP Audioware PSP BussPressor
Advertiser Index
Fade Out
Recording - March 2013 - Recording - March 2013
Recording - March 2013 - Cover2
Recording - March 2013 - 1
Recording - March 2013 - 2
Recording - March 2013 - 3
Recording - March 2013 - Fade In
Recording - March 2013 - 5
Recording - March 2013 - Table of Contents
Recording - March 2013 - 7
Recording - March 2013 - Talkback
Recording - March 2013 - 9
Recording - March 2013 - Fast Forward
Recording - March 2013 - 11
Recording - March 2013 - 12
Recording - March 2013 - 13
Recording - March 2013 - Behringer X32
Recording - March 2013 - 15
Recording - March 2013 - 16
Recording - March 2013 - 17
Recording - March 2013 - 18
Recording - March 2013 - 19
Recording - March 2013 - MXL CR30 Large-Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Recording - March 2013 - 21
Recording - March 2013 - Plug-in Performance on Windows-based DAWs
Recording - March 2013 - 23
Recording - March 2013 - 24
Recording - March 2013 - 25
Recording - March 2013 - 26
Recording - March 2013 - 27
Recording - March 2013 - Steinberg CMC Series USB Controllers For Cubase
Recording - March 2013 - 29
Recording - March 2013 - Recording’s Showcase of Sounds: Rob Papen Punch
Recording - March 2013 - 31
Recording - March 2013 - 32
Recording - March 2013 - 33
Recording - March 2013 - Plug-in Outlet: 2C Audio B2
Recording - March 2013 - 35
Recording - March 2013 - Universal Audio Precision K-Stereo and Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor
Recording - March 2013 - 37
Recording - March 2013 - 38
Recording - March 2013 - 39
Recording - March 2013 - Big Money Drums—Part 2
Recording - March 2013 - 41
Recording - March 2013 - 42
Recording - March 2013 - 43
Recording - March 2013 - Reviewed & Revisited: Acoustica Mixcraft 6
Recording - March 2013 - 45
Recording - March 2013 - Plug-in Outlet: Massey Plugins CT5 Compressor
Recording - March 2013 - 47
Recording - March 2013 - The Mixing Workshop: Better Mixes Through Creative Editing—Part 2 (The Band)
Recording - March 2013 - 49
Recording - March 2013 - Readers' Tapes
Recording - March 2013 - 51
Recording - March 2013 - 52
Recording - March 2013 - 53
Recording - March 2013 - 54
Recording - March 2013 - 55
Recording - March 2013 - Kush Audio Clariphonic Parallel Equalizer and Clariphonic DSP Plug-in
Recording - March 2013 - 57
Recording - March 2013 - Plug-in Outlet: Eventide H3000 Factory
Recording - March 2013 - 59
Recording - March 2013 - Reviewed & Revisited: iZotope Alloy 2
Recording - March 2013 - 61
Recording - March 2013 - Recording Fundamentals. Chapter 15: Sweet Spot Conundrums—Part 2
Recording - March 2013 - 63
Recording - March 2013 - Plug-in Outlet: PSP Audioware PSP BussPressor
Recording - March 2013 - Advertiser Index
Recording - March 2013 - 66
Recording - March 2013 - 67
Recording - March 2013 - 68
Recording - March 2013 - 69
Recording - March 2013 - 70
Recording - March 2013 - 71
Recording - March 2013 - Fade Out
Recording - March 2013 - Cover3
Recording - March 2013 - Cover4
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