Reimagine your low-cost Transformerless Mic. We swap the capsule and electronics for top-tier components.
Turn your budget Transformerless mic into a studio favorite. We swap the capsule and electronics for top-tier components.
At the heart is our jaSb circuit — Schoeps-inspired for clean, detailed sound. Paired with a K47-style capsule, it delivers smooth tone, fast transients, and low noise. An optional internal pattern switch allows selecting an OMNI polar pattern when needed.
Clean. Clear. Reliable.
| Donor Body Type | MXL 990, MXL 920, Everything Else |
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Flip Hayes –
The MXL 550 & 551 mics were a quick and dirty purchase I made years ago thinking maybe, even if they were cheap, they might sound good. I used them occasionally but for a cheap price, you get a cheap sound. But, when I heard about RockScience’s mic rebuilds I jumped right in. Turnaround was pretty quick and as soon as I got my 550 back I couldn’t wait to hear the results. Amazing!! I’m using my 550 all the time now. The rebuilt 550 really gives a sweet sound to vocals. The difference is amazing. I’m doing a lot less processing on my DAW vocal tracks. I don’t have a great voice, or so I thought when using Shure SM 57’s, 58’s, etc. But now, this cheap guy –me — knows the value of using a quality mic; without spending a fortune!
John X Volaitis –
I really love this microphone now. My MXL 440 has been sitting in a box for almost 20 years & I have never touched it.
Since getting the mod, I have used it on vocals, acoustic/electric guitar, vocals & even a sarangi.
I have used it more in the last month or two since this mod than I did in the last 18 years. It’s really got a beautiful warm sound to it.
Tommy Cook –
I was using a Focusrite mic to record my vocals, which I really liked but I was getting too much high-end and this made my voice sound a little thin. I was searching around for a solution and found RockScience. They were able to take my favorite mic and rebuild it using the same casing. I am so pleased with the results. Now, my mic sounds so full and clear I don’t even need to add an EQ!
Don (verified owner) –
I’ve had my 990 rebuilds for a few weeks now and used them on vocals, drum overheads, and a baby grand piano. Honestly, they have been a pleasant surprise after spending 15 years on a shelf. As overheads, they handled the high spl really well and were nice and balanced and smooth on the top end. Meaty low mids and didn’t get sizzly and annoying in the high end like cheap mics often do. They sounded great on a male vocal. Clean, precise, and balanced. I didn’t love them on the piano, but it was more a matter of taste. They didn’t sound bad, I just prefer a SDC for that application. The results were perfectly usable. I have used a ton of cheap and mid priced microphones and realistically at the price point for the rebuild, there are a lot of mics you can buy, but these things will basically crush all of them. I even prefer these to my 214’s particularly on a vocal, but as overheads too. They are just livelier than the AKG’s, which are nice mics, but can be a bit of a dull sounding. The 990’s just sound more finished. I have yet to use them in Omni, so I’m definitely looking forward to more experimentation.
Additionally, Bob was really easy to work with and communicated well. The turnaround was impressively fast. I sent them out on a Tuesday and had them back on Saturday. He also painted mine vintage green and replaced the grills and they look great!
Bottom line, if you have a pair of 990’s on a shelf somewhere (who doesn’t?) I’d definitely recommend having them rebuilt as opposed to buying some other cheap mic. They don’t just sound good “for 990’s”, they are legitimately nice microphones now. I went in optimistic but skeptical, but am really glad I went for it.
Tom Biller –
Bob will transform your MXL990 from a meh mic into an outstanding mic. Great for vocals, acoustic and electric guitars. Loved my first one so much, I picked up another one !!! Bob does things the right way !