MXL Studio1-USB USB Desktop Recording Kit

Customer Ratings:
List Price: $129.95
Sale Price: $104.95
Today's Bonus: 19% Off

• Frequency response is 40Hz to 20kHz, sampling rate is 44.1kHz and 48kHz
• No special drivers required, Mac and PC compatible
• Includes USB cable, desktop stand and carrying case
• No Special Drivers Required
• Mac and PC Compatible
• Frequency Response: 40Hz to 20kHz; Sampling Rate: 44.1kHz and 48kHz; Inlcudes USB cable, desktop stand and carrying case
• No Special Drivers Required; Mac and PC Compatible

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If you're looking for a good sounding microphone that is far superior to any standard PC microphone, this is a good choice. However, the most unique feature that set's this microphone apart the headphone jack is a real disappointment. It is *NOT* a realtime feed from the mic. Rather, the headphone jack is the output of a USB sound card that is integrated into the Microphone. There is significant latency between the microphone input and the audio output, so much that it really is useless as a recording monitor. This feature doesn't allow this microphone to be distinguished from any other USB condenser mic that lacks an audio output.

The headphone jack is possibly useful for setting levels, etc., when you're working with a PC that lacks a sound card, or need to have the microphone a significant distance from your p.c. or laptop. If you have a long USB cable and need to roam, maybe the headphone jack is useful.

There are many good points about this mic recording is warm and full sounding; you do get that 'NPR' sound. While the mount is light, it's adequate. The 10' USB cable is quite generous, and the hard plastic case has pre-cut foam and is a nice touch.

Overall, I am satisfied with the product, but I am disappointed that the promising feature the headphone jack for real-time monitoring, is not what it is implied to be. It is a USB sound card and suffers all of the latency of your internal sound card.

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I'm disappointed. I'd read good editorial reviews about it on other sites, but neglected to read the user reviews here on Amazon -the latency issue with the headphone jack would have been a deal-breaker for me. The sound quality of the mic itself is nice for the price, but I found there was a background hiss possibly due to the inexpensive USB interface; I've noticed the same problem with other sub-$100 USB interfaces, and suspect they all use the same chip/circuitry. Acceptable for podcasting, interviews, etc. in the field where the built-in USB interface is less cumbersome, but not for serious voice work in a home studio. You will definitely want a shock mount if using a floor mic stand, as it's very susceptible to picking up stand thumps.

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This microphone is as described, and I highly recommend it for the home-studio enthusiast. It was completely "plug & play" on my XP laptop and I was recording immediately with no hang-ups or need for extra hardware drivers. The mic picks up high and low frequencies nicely, but I recommend buying a windscreen to cut down on "Ppops." The carrying case is durable and the foam inlay protects all the components in seperate compartments. A well-designed package, overall.MXL Studio 1 USB Microphone with Headohone Jack, Desktop Stand, USB Cable, and Carrying Case

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Here is my review.

This microphone is very easy to use (just plug and go!). Some of the extras that come with it are not the greatest including the desktop stand which is pretty cheap and so small that it isn't even that practical. The microphone itself, though, works fine and is worth it for the money if you aren't looking to record at a very high level. I used it to record voice overs for a play and it worked just fine.