MXL REVELATION MICROPHONE #2

SECOND REVELATION

by Mark King for proworkshop.com

The MXL Revelation is a multi-pattern, large-diaphragm condenser microphone which uses an EF86 vacuum tube and a custom-wound transformer inside the heavy brass body. It all comes packaged in a nice briefcase as a system including a Mogami 7-pin power supply-to-mic cable and a nice Mogami XLR cable

We bought one of these on sale a while back and it quickly became a favorite for male vocals and acoustic guitar. When I saw the sale repeated, a kneejerk reaction caused me to quickly jump on the deal and buy second complete kit so I'd have a stereo pair.

This mic does not sound natural, it's got attitude in subtle and very desirable ways, sweet high frequency response but not too strong and a nice deep proximity effect when you work it up close.

Stacked pair of Revelation microphone power supplies

Unlike the majority of microphones which have a rotary switch for the pattern control the Revelation has a continuously-variable pattern control which lets you smoothly transition from Omni to Cardioid to Figure-8. If you make a fast change on the pattern knob the microphone mutes or makes a mild static as the voltages on the twin diaphragms are altered.

Rear of Revelation power supplies

Looking at the pattern control knob on the upper power supply shown above you can see my personal favorite pattern position for my voice. Leaning towards the figure-8 position slightly gives the sound even more proximity effect and sweeter high frequency sound.

We're very excited to have a second one of these top-of-the-line MXL microphones in our Mic Locker.