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R
X/Y Stereo Tube Microphone
Marshall Electronics
Professional Audio Division
Phone: 310-333-0606
800-800-6608 Fax: 310-333-0688
www.mxlmics.com
sales@mxlmics.com
STEREO
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Specifications
User Manual
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MXL Revelation Stereo
Thank you for choosing the MXL Revelation Stereo microphone.
Your Revelation Stereo microphone was designed and engineered
in the United States by MXL’s world-class team. It features two
6-micron capsules that are stacked in a 90-degree coincident-pair
configuration to capture stereo recordings with the maximum
fidelity, as well as two hand-selected EF86 vacuum tubes and
individual balanced output transformers. As a member of MXL’s
flagship series of studio microphones, the Revelation Stereo
delivers the warmth, accuracy and clarity that are associated
with only the finest recording equipment.
Your Revelation Stereo microphone will provide many years of
outstanding service and recordings of the highest quality. Please
review this manual before you get started. You’ll find recording tips
and other information that will help you obtain the best results.
Enjoy your microphone!
The MXL Team
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Warranty
MXL microphones are guaranteed against defects in materials and workmanship for three
years (except for the tubes, which is 90 days) from the date of purchase. If you encounter
any problem with this unit, promptly contact the company from which you purchased it for
assistance. The original dated sales receipt will be necessary for any warranty claim. Do not
send any unit directly to us without prior authorization from our service department.
Warranty coverage is limited to repair or replacement (at our option) of the microphone
and does not cover incidental damages due to use of this unit, nor damage caused by
accidental misuse of this product.
Type: Stereo Tube Condenser
Microphone
Tube Type: EF86
Frequency Response: 20Hz—20kHz
Polar Pattern: Fixed 90° X/Y
Sensitivity: -40 dB re 1 V/Pa
Impedance: 140 ohms
Attenuation Switch: 0 dB, -10 dB
High-Pass Filter: 12 dB/octave at 125Hz
Max SPL for 0.5% THD: 138 dB SPL
S/N Ratio: 76 dB
Power Requirements: Revelation Stereo Power Supply
Unit 110/220 VAC, 50/60Hz
Size: 11 1/2" x 2 1/2"
Weight: 3 lbs
Metal Finish: Purple and Chrome
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User Manual
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Contents
Unpack your Revelation Stereo microphone carefully and verify that all of
the following items are included:
Revelation Stereo microphone
15-foot, 7-pin Mogami® cable
Two 15-foot Mogami® XLR microphone cables
Power supply
Heavy-duty shock mount
Aluminum flight case
Cleaning cloth
Manual
Certificate of authenticity
If any of these items are missing or damaged, contact the company from
which you purchased the microphone.
Power requirements
The Revelation Stereo uses two EF86 tubes that require a dedicated power
supply, which is included with your microphone. Even if your mixer has
phantom power, you should defeat the phantom power as a precautionary
measure when it is not needed to power other microphones.
The power supply is switchable between 110 volts and 220 volts AC. In
North America, the microphone is shipped with the setting at 110 volts.
When the microphone is exported, it is shipped with the setting at 220
volts. However, you should ensure that the power supply’s voltage is at
the correct setting for your region, as an incorrect voltage setting can
cause permanent damage to the microphone and power supply.
Every MXL microphone is checked thoroughly before shipping. If you
do not hear any sound from the microphone, check the power supply to
make sure that it is switched on.
The outputs from the Revelation Stereo are located on the power supply.
Use the supplied Mogami® cables to connect the outputs from the power
supply to your recording console or interface.
Note: If you are using the microphone in mono with a single connection,
the orientation of the microphone will need to be adjusted, as the capsules
are oriented at 45 degrees from the front of the microphone.
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Acoustic guitar—There are several possibilities for using the
Revelation Stereo with an acoustic guitar. On many guitars,
you can get a great sound by positioning the microphone so
that one capsule points toward the 12th fret and the other
capsule points toward the sound holes. Subtle changes in the
microphone’s position can make dramatic changes in tonal color. Moving the
microphone farther away from the guitar gives recordings more room sound.
This may be beneficial, depending on what feel you are looking for. When
you are recording two or more guitars, placing the microphone directly in
front of the performers or between them will capture the space and feel of
the group and give a realistic recording of the performance.
Vocals—The Revelation Stereo is perfect for recording solo
vocalists and vocal ensembles. With the microphone placed
in front of a group (facing the singers), it is easy to capture the
spacing and depth of the recording. Varying the distance between
the singers and the microphone will change the balance between
direct sound and room sound. Placing the microphone closer will enhance
the lower registers. With experimentation, you can get incredibly detailed
recordings with the Revelation Stereo.
Drums and percussion—Place the Revelation Stereo over the drum
kit, angled toward the kit. It will give a very realistic representation
of the sound of the entire drum kit. Experimenting with position
(moving the microphone toward the front or back of the kit or
adjusting its vertical alignment) can make subtle changes to
the tone of a recording. The Revelation Stereo is also perfect for percussion.
It can be placed between a pair of congas, aimed at a group of percussionists
or even pointed at a bell tree. The separation and depth bring extra realism
to recordings.
Polar Pattern/Frequency Chart
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User Manual
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WARNING: Do not “hot plug” the microphone. Always ensure that
the power supply is off when plugging and unplugging the included
7-pin cable from the microphone to avoid damaging the microphone
and power supply.
Bass roll-off switch
The Revelation Stereo’s power supply features a bass roll-off switch that
you can use to reduce proximity effect. Proximity effect is the distortion
that often occurs when a sound source is too close to the microphone.
Some microphone patterns (such as the cardioid pattern) boost bass as
the sound source gets closer to the microphone. The bass roll-off switch
reduces the low frequencies to give the sound a fuller range.
-10 dB pad
The Revelation Stereo can be used with very loud sound sources without
significant distortion. If you hear distortion from the microphone, switch
the -10 dB pad (which is located on the back of the microphone) to the
“-10 dB” position. You also can move the microphone farther away from
the sound source to avoid distortion.
Shock mount
The Revelation Stereo comes with a shock mount that was designed
specifically to handle the microphone’s large size. A shock mount
decouples the microphone from the stand and the recording environment.
It also minimizes floor noise and any noise that is caused by handling the
microphone stand. It should be considered standard equipment for every
recording application.
Because of the size and weight of the Revelation Stereo, we strongly
recommended that you use only the included shock mount with this microphone.
If you need to remove the microphone from its shock mount, hold the
microphone securely and rotate the knurled nut at the base counterclockwise.
Microphone cables
A microphone cable can have a profound effect on the sound of any
mic ropho ne. Even the finest microphone will sound poor if the interconnect
cable allows noise to enter or causes distortion and loss of information. We
strongly recommend that you always use the Mogami® cables that were
supplied with your Revelation Stereo.
Care
Dust and foreign material can reduce the performance of a microphone
over time, so you should store the Revelation Stereo in its case when not
in use.
Grill
The Revelation Stereo has a single-layer mesh grill. This design minimizes
standing waves and harmonic distortion. Because this type of grill leaves little
protection between the microphone’s user and the capsule, we strongly
recommend that you use a pop filter when you close-mike a vocalist. Using
a pop filter will help protect your microphone’s sensitive capsule from the
moisture of saliva and breath condensation.
Using the Revelation Stereo
The Revelation Stereo has two separate outputs, which are labeled “Left”
and “Right.” Under normal circumstances, these outputs should be sent
to separate channels of your console or interface and panned hard left
and hard right. However, there may be times when you want to experiment
with different settings for creative or artistic purposes.
The microphone has two closely matched 32mm cardioid capsules, which
are arranged as an X/Y 90-degree pair. The recording environment plays a
large part in the quality of the recordings you will obtain. Experimenting with
factors such as position and reflective panels will prove to be invaluable
when setting up the microphone. Your ears are your best tools, so listen to
the sound source directly and compare it to the sound that comes from the
microphone. We recommend that you begin with all EQ levels flat and make
small changes to obtain the desired sound.
Application examples
Piano—You can place the Revelation Stereo above a grand
piano with the lid open, with the microphone’s capsules
oriented toward the high and low strings, respectively. You can
place the microphone near the hammers for an aggressive sound
or place it toward the other end for a mellow sound.
Experimentation is the key.
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