MXL
MXL 603S
Small-diaphragm condenser, cardioid, end-address instrument mic (sold singly as the 603S, now as the 603 PAIR)
Power Phantom 48 V ±4 V.
- Type
- Condenser
- Pattern
- Cardioid
- Sensitivity
- −40 dBV/Pa computed
- Self-noise
- 18 dB(A)
- Among 258 condensers: quieter than 33%
- Among 272 mics: quieter than 32%
- Max SPL
- 134 dB SPL
- Among 277 condensers: takes louder sound than 33%
- Among 343 mics: takes louder sound than 30%
- Rated range
- 30 – 20k Hz
- Released
- 2000
vs 104 end-address condensers
Quieter than 34% of 104 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published self-noise, and each bar counts them; further right means quieter. This mic is in blue.
vs 110 end-address condensers
Takes louder sound than 27% of 110 end-address condensers.
Each stripe is one end-address condenser with a published max SPL, and each bar counts them; further right means it takes louder sound. This mic is in blue.
Instruments sources recommend it for most
Proximity effect: the bass it gains up close
From the manual (Recording Hacks copy), p. 1.
Unlabelled graph in the 2008 603s sheet, curve marked "0°"; dB scale +20 to -30, relative. Distance and room not stated.
Dashed: outside the rated range, or simulated (other angles and distances). Hover or tap the graphs for values.
In practice
All specs
| From the manual (Recording Hacks copy) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity | −40 dBV/Pa (10 mV/Pa)Not stated by the manufacturer: Converted from "10mV/Pa" (20 log10 0.010 = -40). | p. 1 |
| Self-noise | 18 dB(A)A-weighted, IEC 268-4. "18dB(A weighted IEC 268-4)"; the same in the 2016 manual. | |
| Max SPL | 134 dB SPL0.5% THD | |
| Signal-to-noise ratio | 80 dBre 1 Pa, A-weighted. "80dB (Ref. 1Pa A-weighted)". 94 - 18 = 76 dB, so the two figures do not agree. | |
| Output impedance | 200 ohm | |
| Rated frequency range | 30 Hz to 20 kHz"Frequency Range: 30Hz-20kHz"; "Frequency Response" in the 2016 manual. | |
| Powering | phantom 48 V ±4 V | |
| Current draw | 3 mAless than. "<3.0mA". | |
| Weight | 130 g | |
| Dimensions | 22 × 135 mm"22mm x 135mm": diameter × length. | |
| Metal finish | Silver | |
| Warranty | Three years (2008 sheet); one year (2016 manual) | |
| From the manual | ||
| Capsule | 22 mm (0.87 in) capsule, gold-sputtered diaphragm"Capsule Size 22mm/.87 in."; both documents also say "a twenty millimetre gold-sputtered diaphragm" in the text, and the 2008 sheet's data list "large 22mm diaphragm". | p. 2 |
| Supplied accessories | shock mount; aluminium flight caseContents of the 603 PAIR (two mics). The 2008 sheet lists none. | |
| From the Recording Hacks page | ||
| Released | 2000 | |
Documents
- MXL 603s Instrument Condenser microphoneinstructions
- 603 PAIR Instrument Microphonesmanual, AD091416a
- MXL 603S | RecordingHacks.com
Copies kept by Mic Archive (manufacturers move and drop their documents). Each is © MXL, unchanged, with its original address.
Recommended for
By recording guides, engineers and mic makers, for this mic or an earlier version of it.