MXL APS Bundle Setup and Usage
Setting up the APS Bundle is really quite easy. First you must determine whether you want a permanent or movable implementation. That will be a deciding factor for your BCD-Stand mounting, and we chose to utilize the clamp mount for easy installation and movement. With the clamp fully tightened on our desk, the BCD-Stand was able to slide into the mount. One issue we encountered with the mount and arm was just how rough and uneasy the rotation of the arm was. It was a bit odd, as the arm felt a bit wobbly at times, but would still not allow the arm to rotate as easily as we would have liked to see.
Now that he arm was in place, we could then attach the BCD-1 to the arm via the threaded adapter. One adjustment we made once the microphone was attached to the arm was pulling a bit of extra cable through the microphone arm to allow for a bit more flexibility with regards to microphone positioning. In order to get this extra cable slack, we first had to feed a bit from the bottom, and then pull the slack through at each available position, until the extra cabling was all the way through the arm.
The final steps were connecting the XLR cable to the Mic Mate Pro, and then plugging in the included USB cable to the Mic Mate Pro and our PC. The Mic Mate Pro was quickly recognized by Windows 10 as a “USB Audio CODEC” device, and was available as both a recording and playback device due to the microphone and headphone monitoring capabilities, respectively.
In our time with the APS Bundle, we have used it in a variety of scenarios. Our most common uses for microphones are streaming, Discord discussions, and podcast recording, and the Cardioid polar pattern of the BCD-1 works great for these scenarios. The end address design of the BCD-1 dictated that it be pointing directly at us, so in order to function well during game streaming sessions, we worked with the microphone just off to the side, though in regular discussions and audio recording tasks, the setup was directly in front of us.
We have recently taken a look at a few other microphones, including MXL’s own Tempo, and sample recordings are just below for your listening.
MXL BCD-1
MXL Tempo
HyperX QuadCast – Cardioid
Corsair VOID PRO RGB Wireless
In conversations with friends and co-workers using the BCD-1, everyone has expressed how rich and clear our voice was compared to a standard headset microphone that we had used for so long. As you can hear in our audio sample, the microphone sounds great; much better than a headset microphone for sure.
Final Thoughts
The MXL APS Podcasting Bundle is a starter kit that provides just enough equipment to get started with advanced audio recording, without becoming too complicated. The three components of the bundle, the BCD-1 microphone, BCD-Stand microphone arm, and Mic Mate Pro team up perfectly. Additionally, the simplicity of each device makes setup and use a breeze. A single XLR connection on the BCD-1 means there are no adjustments needed on the microphone itself, and the gain control knob on the Mic Mate Pro offers quick and convenient adjustment on the fly.
We think the BCD-1 sounds great, rich and full, as did everyone we communicated with during our testing of this kit. And with quick and easy installation in our Windows 10 system, the kit was up and running in Discord, Audacity, and Streamlabs OBS by simply selecting the appropriate audio device.
Found at our favorite online retailer for $299.95, the MXL APS Podcasting Bundle brings versatility and ease of use to the masses. Being able to upgrade or swap out any of the components in the future allows for growth and options, and we really like to see that, especially in bundle products like this. While we think the price is a bit high, MXL has taken the legwork out of component selection and testing, and provided a solid bundle of items that work well together, which we can all apreciate. ThinkComputers gives the MXL APS Podcasting Bundle an 8 out of 10.
Pros:
- Solid Build Quality
- Quick and Easy Setup
- Great Sounding Audio
Cons:
- Microphone Stand Tough to Rotate
- Price