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CardioidMXL Genesis

Cardioid Tube Condenser Microphone

MXL’s flagship tube condenser microphone for 2008-2009, the Genesis, combines a Mullard 12AT7 tube with a fixed-cardioid 32mm large-diaphragm capsule (25mm diaphragm). The result won the Pro Audio Review “Excellence Award” during AES/San Francisco in 2008:

Pro Audio Review

At the top end of the MXL microphone line is the Genesis, a tube mic with the reputation for sounding a whole lot like the U47 — a tall order, but that’s the word on the street. Best of all, it’s priced well under a grand… the world would be a better place if more recordists had their paws on anything that sounded more like a 47.

MXL Genesis burn-in stationThe Genesis is manufactured in MXL’s factory in China, using genuine NOS Mullard tubes sourced in the UK. The tubes are shipped to the MXL factory for installation into mics; completed mics are tested in China, then again in MXL’s facility in El Segundo, CA.

All Genesis mics are burned in for 48 hours by MXL in California prior to shipment.

The 12AT7 tube is a dual-triode. The output circuit on the Genesis is transformerless.

MXL Genesis CircuitMXL Genesis tube

The mic ships with a suspension shockmount (p/n MXL-60), a metal mesh pop filter finished to match the Genesis’ gold grille (p/n MXL PF-004-G), a microfiber cleaning cloth, a dedicated power supply (switchable between 115V and 230V AC), a 7-pin, 15' Mogami power cable and a 15' Mogami XLR mic cable.

Anthony Gallo

With female vocals it was simply stunning. There is something about the warmth and intimacy of this microphone that I have previously only been able to capture with microphones costing much more. What truly surprised me though, was when I tried it on the outside of a kick drum where I previously used my FET 47. The FET 47 is enjoying a long vacation in my Mic Locker.

MXL Genesis microphoneMXL provides a 3-year warranty on the microphone, and a 90-day warranty on the tube.

Permalink: MXL Genesis

The mic was released in 2008.

Specifications

Frequency Response - CardioidClick Graph to Compare!
Genesis Cardioid Frequency Response Chart
Pickup Patterns Pads & Filters
Cardioid (20 - 20,000 Hz)
  • Pad: -10dB (Via Switch)
  • Filter: HPF: -6dB/oct @ 150Hz (Via Switch)
Capsule Dimensions Impedance SPL/Noise
Diaphragm diameter: 25mm
Capsule diameter: 32mm
Diaphragm gauge: 6 microns
200 Ohms (Low) Max SPL: 140 dB
Self-noise: 18.0 dB(A)
Weight Length Max Diameter Interface(s)
703g (24.80oz) 240mm (9.45'') 59mm (2.32'')
  • 3-pin XLR male (1)
Power Specifications
  • Includes tube power supply

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