MXL 440 Mods
We have many modification/upgrade options for the MXL 440 condenser microphone:
- Replace the capsule (3 choices)
- Replace the circuit (2 choices)
Capsule Replacement
As is true of most transformerless microphones, 98% of the tone of this mic comes from its capsule. The MXL 440 is compromised due to the marginal quality of its small-diaphragm capsule. (We measured a bunch of them, and found varying frequency responses.)
Installing a large-diaphragm capsule in this mic can completely re-voice the microphone, giving you a smoother and more musically useful sound. This is a relatively easy mod, even for first-timers.
If you are keeping the stock circuit in your 440, the capsule to choose is our RK-47. The new capsule will give the mic rich midrange detail, and a neutral top end — a welcome contrast to most over-bright condensers.
Transformerless Circuit Replacement/Upgrade Kit
Our premier circuit upgrade for the MXL 440 is called the MP-V57 PCB kit. It is our highly optimized implementation of the Schoeps transformerless design. After installing this circuit, your mic will have higher sensitivity, much lower self-noise, and a much less "cluttered" sound.
Because the circuit provides the option for corrective high-frequency EQ, you can use any of our large-diaphragm capsules with the MP-V57 PCB kit, giving your 440 a wide palette of possible sonic colors.
This circuit is no arbitrary bag of parts, but rather a handpicked collection of carefully selected parts that was developed over several years' worth of R&D.
The PCB set fits the MXL 440, V250, 910, 2006, and numerous similar FET condensers. Click for more info on the MP-V57 PCB kit.
Transformer Circuit Replacement/Upgrade Kit
To take your MXL 440 in a vintage direction, consider our new "T-84" circuit replacement kit. It is a design borrowed from Neumann's KM84. It will give your mic the tone of a vintage condenser, thanks to the ultra-simple signal path, carefully selected NOS JFET, and custom-wound output transformer.
Internal switches give your mic a second polar pattern (Omni) as well as a 10dB pad.
We recommend installing the RK-47 or RK-12 capsule with this circuit.
The photo at right shows the new circuit, which uses two high-quality two-layer PCBs manufactured in the US. This kit fits the MXL 440, MXL V63M, 440, V67G, and 2001, and other models.
Click for more info on the T-84 circuit kit.