MXL 990 condenser microphone: features and spec-based rating

MXL’s 990 is a cardioid condenser microphone with XLR connection.

A condenser microphone records small sounds in fine detail. It is often used to record singing and narration.

In this article we rate it on 5 criteria using only the specifications the manufacturer publishes, and show how it ranks among the 32 microphones we compare.

Disclosure: This site takes part in affiliate programs. Specifications are as of the date we checked them and can change.

Figure: SoundBounty

Summary

Among the 32 microphones, 990 is rank C. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and C is the lowest. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5) gives 1.6.

Things to keep in mind

• Quietness (20 dB(A), 2 points): The microphone itself makes a little more noise, which can be noticeable in quiet songs.
• Handling of loud sound (130 dB, 1 point): Take care with very loud voices, which can distort.
• Features (0 of 3, 1 point): It has few or no switches, so adjustments are made on the audio interface or the computer.
• Lightness (544 g, 1 point): It is on the heavy side, so you need a sturdy microphone stand.

Main features of 990

A condenser microphone long regarded as a standard

MXL introduces this standard model as “the best-selling microphone in the world”. It uses a circuit built around a FET (a type of transistor) and is said to suit recording vocals, guitar and more.

A shock mount and a case are included

A shock mount (MXL90), a fixing mount and a carrying case are included. Because the shock mount is there from the start, you can begin recording with vibration from the desk or floor less likely to reach the microphone.

A simple build with no switches

The body has no pad or low-cut switch, and the pickup pattern is only one kind, cardioid. The maximum input sound pressure level is 130 dB SPL, which is on the low side among the microphones we compared.

Where it is useful

• Recording vocals or narration at home
• Recording an acoustic guitar
• Getting a microphone with a shock mount within a budget

Rating by criterion

Quietness: 2 / 5

How little of the small hiss the microphone itself makes (self-noise). The smaller the number, the quieter.

990: 20 dB(A). That is a modest rating among the products we compared. The microphone itself makes a little more noise, which can be noticeable in quiet songs.

Sensitivity: 3 / 5

How large a signal the same voice produces (sensitivity). The bigger the number, the easier it is to get a good level from a quiet voice.

990: 15 mV/Pa. That is a standard rating among the products we compared.

Handling of loud sound: 1 / 5

How loud a sound it can record without distortion (maximum SPL).

990: 130 dB. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. Take care with very loud voices, which can distort.

Features: 1 / 5

How many of the pad (lowers loud sound), low-cut (reduces low noise) and pickup-pattern switch it has.

990: 0 of 3. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. It has few or no switches, so adjustments are made on the audio interface or the computer.

Lightness: 1 / 5

The weight of the microphone. The lighter it is, the less load on the microphone stand.

990: 544 g. That is a modest rating among the products we compared. It is on the heavy side, so you need a sturdy microphone stand.

The gray marks in the figure below (the dotted line on the pentagon) show the average of the 32 products we compared. Price is not part of the score.

How we score (Microphones)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Quietness	Self-noise	≤7	≤12	≤16	≤20	>20
Sensitivity	Sensitivity	≥25	≥20	≥15	≥10	<10
Handling of loud sound	Maximum SPL (without the pad)	≥148	≥144	≥140	≥135	<135
Features	Pad, low-cut and pickup-pattern switch	All 3	2	1	—	None
Lightness	Weight	≤300	≤350	≤400	≤450	>450

Scored only on the body specifications published by the manufacturer. Price and accessories are not part of the score. Items that are not disclosed are not scored, and the rank is based on the average of the remaining items. Where a model publishes only the signal-to-noise ratio and not the self-noise, the self-noise is converted as "94 minus the signal-to-noise ratio".

990 connection and getting started

Connection	XLR (3-pin). Connect it to the microphone input of an audio interface or mixer (it cannot connect to a computer directly by USB)
Power	Phantom power (48 V) is required
In the box	Shock mount MXL90, fixing mount and case (an XLR cable is not included)

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.

Compared with other microphones

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Before you buy

• It needs phantom power (+48 V). This is an XLR condenser microphone, so connect it to an audio interface or mixer that can supply phantom power.
• Check what comes in the box. The manufacturer lists: Shock mount MXL90, fixing mount and case (an XLR cable is not included). Anything not on that list (a shock mount, a pop filter, cables and so on) you need to prepare separately.
• It has no pad or low-cut switch. When you need one, adjust with the audio interface or the DAW instead.

Read next

• C-1: features and rating (rank C)
• C414 XLII: features and rating (rank S)
• C414 XLS: features and rating (rank S)
• NT1 5th Gen: features and rating (rank A)