MXL Cr-24
Cardioid Condenser Microphone
The Cr-24 is a large-diaphragm condenser microphone with a transformerless circuit. It appears to be a cosmetic variant of the 2003A, made with a black chrome finish for the company’s “900 series” built exclusively for Guitar Center.
Two switches mounted beneath the headbasket independently enable a 10dB pad, and a high-pass filter.
The 2003A/CR24 uses a modified K67-type capsule; while the front backplate appears to be a standard 32mm K67 type, the rear backplate uses an alternative drilling pattern. This would change the microphone’s operational characteristics, including proximity, pattern, and frequency response.
The diaphragm material is 3 micron Mylar, thinner than MXL’s usual choice of 6-micron.
The mic’s circuit includes the DC multiplier borrowed from the V57 series; it increases the phantom power feed through a doubler, resulting in a polarization voltage of 62.5VDC as measured at the capsule in our sample mic. This distinguishes the CR24 from most of the V57 types, as those tend to be under-powered, sending only 35-50VDC to the capsule.
The JFET is a 2SK170. Curiously, high-impedance leads are soldered directly to the PCB, rather than made on insulated standoffs.
All the electrolytic capacitors are Nichicon brand, long regarded as a high-quality, “audiophile” brand of capacitor.
Rated sensitivity is 7mV/Pa. Self-noise is better than many MXL microphones, at 11dBA; this figure no doubt benefits from the microphone’s higher polarization voltage.
The circuit is transformerless. In our measurements, it is linear with respect to frequency — that is, the circuit does not amplify or attenuate selected audio frequencies, except when the high-pass filter is engaged.
The CR24 is sold as a 2-microphone kit, bundled with the CR24p small-diaphragm condenser.
The MXL Cr-24 is also known as: CR24.
Specifications
Pickup Patterns | Pads & Filters |
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Cardioid
(7.16 mV/Pa; 20 - 20,000 Hz) |
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Capsule Dimensions | Impedance | SPL/Noise |
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Diaphragm diameter: 25mm Capsule diameter: 32mm Diaphragm gauge: 3 microns |
n/a | Max SPL: 152 dB Self-noise: 11.0 dB(A) |
Weight | Length | Max Diameter | Interface(s) |
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454g (16.01oz) | 190mm (7.48'') | 50mm (1.97'') |
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Power Specifications |
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