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MXL R144 Ribbon Microphone

Ribbon Microphone with Figure-8 Polar Pattern
$99.95

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MXL R144 Ribbon Microphone
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Expand Your Sonic Palette with the MXL R144 Ribbon Mic!

If you’re looking to fill up your mic locker, engineers at Sweetwater recommend adding a ribbon mic to your collection. With their characteristically warm and natural sound, ribbon mics are useful for a range of applications — from vocals and acoustic instruments to guitar amplifiers and drum overheads. The MXL R144 ribbon microphone provides an ultra-affordable entry into the world of ribbon mics. Boasting a rugged build and a great sound that belies its budget-friendly price point, the R144 has the smooth top end and rich lows you would expect from a ribbon mic. It boasts high SPL handling, making it a go-to mic for accurately capturing the sound of scorching-hot tube amps, blasting horns, or any other loud source. Plus, the R144’s traditional figure-8 polar pattern picks up sound from the front and rear of the microphone but rejects off-axis sounds, which can be extremely helpful when miking ensembles, drum kits, and other multi-miking applications that have the potential for mic bleed. Broaden your recording horizons with the MXL R144 ribbon microphone from MXL!

MXL Microphones

Since 1998, MXL Microphones — a division of Marshall Electronics — has designed affordable, high-quality microphones for the home and project studio. Over its more than 20-year run, MXL has proven a consistent innovator in the studio, broadcast, streaming, and worship microphone markets. In fact, ask a handful of experienced Sweetwater studio engineers, and you’ll discover that many of us cut our teeth recording on MXL condensers mics. Microphones like the R144 ribbon mic are able to deliver professional results without the top-shelf price tag. And since many MXL microphones come internally wired with premium Mogami cable (another Marshall Electronics brand), you can be sure every MXL you buy from Sweetwater is rated to deliver quiet, consistent performance you can trust. In fact, we stand behind it with our exclusive extended 2-year warranty.

MXL R144 Ribbon Microphone Features:

  • Ultra-affordable entry into the world of ribbon mics
  • Natural sound with a smooth top end and rich lows
  • Useful for a range of applications, from vocals and acoustic instruments to guitar amplifiers and drum overheads
  • High SPL handling; accurately captures the sound of loud sources
  • Traditional figure-8 polar pattern picks up sound from the front and rear while rejecting off-axis sounds
  • Internally wired with premium Mogami cable
  • Includes shockmount, cleaning cloth, and custom-fitted hardshell case

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Tech Specs

  • Microphone Type: Ribbon
  • Ribbon Type: 1.8-micron Aluminum
  • Mono/Stereo: Mono
  • Polar Pattern: Figure-8
  • Frequency Response: 20Hz-17kHz
  • Max SPL: 130dB SPL (1kHz at 0.1% THD)
  • Output Impedance: 250 ohms
  • Sensitivity: -56dB (0dB = 1V/Pa)
  • Connector: XLR
  • Power Source: Passive
  • Dimensions: 6.75" x 1.85"
  • Weight: 0.85 lbs.
  • Included Accessories: Shockmount, Microfiber Cloth, Hardshell Case
  • Manufacturer Part Number: MXL-R144

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Customer Reviews

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Rated 4.5/5

Just what I needed at a great price!

I do a single and wanted the simplest setup possible for small venues using just an acoustic guitar and vocals. I thought that if I had a mic with a figure 8 pattern I could place it horizontally between my head and the guitar and pickup both, with the null(s) to my small PA system to reduce feedback. I initially performed an experiment using my prize RCA 77DX mic configured in this manner. The mic has a pattern adjustment provision, so I set it up for a figure 8 arrangement as I described. It worked nicely, but I didn't want to gig with that high-valued, heavy mic. So I found this one at Sweetwater after searching for a "figure 8 mic", and I thought if this works, it would be perfect-and it did! It does have a noticeable roll-off on the high end, so I just compensated for it with EQ. I'm very happy with it, especially for the price!
Music background: former band guy (drums), songwriter home studio, occasional gigs
Rated 4/5

My first ribbon but I’m impressed!!

Been wanting to try a ribbon for capturing electric guitar. I've been curious about the mxl mics for some time and at the $ sale price point I could no longer pass it up. Upon arrival I found the iso mount to be a bit goofy. I disassembled and rearranged the position of the clamp ears to the rear to allow closer positioning to a cabinet and an SM-57. All in all it seems to be a decent mount but the size and suspension design limit it's positioning.

I paired it with a 57 (57 at edge of cap and cone. R144 on the cone side as close as possible with capsules aligned). Using quality SSL pre amps the ribbon has a very full and clear low end. Seems a bit dull in the top end but I would assume that's normal for a ribbon. It definitely has a warm vintage tone. The magic for me happens when you bring in the 57. Inset the 144 where the low end felt comfortable to my ears a d then brought the 57 in to add the mids and some sheen on top.

I've always had a problem getting a better sound when adding a second mic for recording guitar. I can say for 100% that this pair blows the solo 57 away and a few other condensers I own. On its own it's definitely a flavor. . . Not a mic I see great as a stand-alone but amazing to add some mood or tone. Paired with the 57 I think it is the most accurate recreation I've ever been able to engineer. It's bottom end sounds better than I expected for this price range and perform better than I expected for what I intended to use it for. I'm stoked to see what it can do for my bass tracks and as a kit mic for drums. Would recommend this to anyone thinking of a neat mic to add to their collection or someone like myself with no ribbon experience.
Music background: Amateur musician, engineer, producer
Rated 5/5

my favorite mic i wasn’t expecting to use much

bought this mic to get experience with a ribbon and to add to my pallet of mic tones. wasn't expecting much for $. started with this and a 57 on a cab. i normally pair my 57 with a 414 clone or a fet47 to get full range. this $ mxl blows them out of the water in every position. next i used it to quick mic drums for a scratch track. i will use it as a mono kit mic on every recording i do now. adds so much punch and low end character to the mix. last thing i played with was the side rejection of the figure 8 pattern. works great as a live mic for acoustic singer songwriter where there are monitors or speakers that could cause feedback issues. very little noise in the off axis. amazing rejection. i love this mic and highly recommend as an intro to ribbons and even a additional ribbon to add to your pro collection.
Music background: amateur
Rated 5/5

Drum Overheads!!

What a pleasing drum sound! No ice pick high end. The cymbals sounded very very very nice. I'm so psyched I got two of these with a cloudlifter. Made mixing a breeze. 99$???? Why not.
Rated 5/5

Great Recording Tool

This mic was too good of a deal to pass up. As someone who does production and recording for a living, I'm always looking at ways to expand my recording tool kit. This mic acts as a great aux mic for a drum kit. Put it about 3 feet away from the top rim of the front of the kick drum, it glues the kit together. The darker nature of this mic makes it great to get more lofi indie acoustic guitar tones. Layering it with a vocalist that has a thinner/high mid focused voice helps balance it vocal pass when blended with large condenser mics. Ultimately this mic is a great "extra tool" and I would encourage anyone, professional to beginner to try one.
Music background: Professional producer, and touring musician
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