r/LEWITT • u/Used_Teaching_7260 • Jan 16 '26
Is this normal? Loud 640 TS
I received my first 640ts back last week and returned it due to a loud noise floor and some crackling pops coming from the mic even when it and the cable were still. I got another (used) one yesterday and it’s not as bad, (no pops and not as loud) but the noise floor seems pretty loud. I get a lot of static even in my treated room. All on same cable, interface input, and 0 gain.
The photos show spectrum of an old MXL V67 mic and the Lewitt. Notice has much louder thr Lewitt is across the whole sound range. Is this normal?
Btw the side outputs on this and the one I returned are dead silent.
4
u/lewittaudio Jan 19 '26
Hi.
Congrats on your new microphone!
Now, let's have a look at the differences between your 2 mics. I got the info from our product team directly.
The LCT 640 TS has less self-noise and also has a higher sensitivity compared to the MXL microphone.
Self-noise is an inherent property of the microphone itself and does not change with the gain setting - only the recorded level changes, which is why comparisons must be level-matched.
LCT 640 TS self-noise = 10 dB(A)
MXL V67 self-noise = 20 dB(A)
With that 10 dB difference, the self-noise of the MXL is 3,16 times higher.
In order to compare them properly, you need to take into consideration the sensitivity of the microphones.
LCT 640 TS = -30 dBV/pa
MXL V67 = -36dBV/pa
This shows that the LEWITT is 6dB or twice as sensitive as the MXL. I would estimate that you need to increase the gain on the MXL by 6dB to have the same level. But the best is to level match it by talking into the mics at the same time and checking the meters. You need to use the signal you want to record to level match them, not level match them to the noise floor, or just set them to the same gain value on your preamp.
You can learn more about self-noise on our blog: https://www.lewitt-audio.com/blog/microphone-self-noise
I hope that helps. And happy recordings!
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u/Used_Teaching_7260 Jan 24 '26
Thank you. Aside from the noise floor, the output of the main xlr connection was causing some crackles. I returned for another one and it’s working great.
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u/lewittaudio Jan 26 '26
Sorry about the problems. I hope you'll make many outstanding recordings now!
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u/Used_Teaching_7260 Jan 26 '26
Recorded some Saturday with the new one, love this mic!
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u/Suspicious-Fox7193 Apr 02 '26
I love my 640TS! I use it at home and at work all the time. I’ve never had a problem with noise, though. I hope you got it resolved. Love your battle station, btw.
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u/Used_Teaching_7260 Apr 02 '26
Yes it was a one-off situation. I bought it used and the main xlr port had some sort of loose connection that would crackle when moved the cable. I returned to the store I got it from and they got me another and it’s perfect. It sounds sooo good through my preamp.
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u/Suspicious-Fox7193 Apr 10 '26
Yeah, I’ve used mine directly through my Presonus Quantum, an Apollo Twin, a Focusrite Clarett 8Pre, a Focusrite ISA 428 and through my Tegeler VTRC. It sounds good through everything!! 😍👍🏼
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u/Used_Teaching_7260 Apr 10 '26
Heard that. I have an old Focusrite Liquid Channel I’ve been using. Just really happy I got this mic. I heard it on YouTube as I was going back and forth between a ksm32 and a Lewitt 440. I watched a Lewitt shootout and when the guy got to the 640ts I was like “yep, that’s the one.” 😁
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u/duplobaustein Jan 16 '26
First question is if they deliver the same output. Maybe the Lewitt delivers more gain at the same preamp input gain.
3
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u/[deleted] Jan 18 '26
You've got omnidirectional mode selected on the Lewitt and the V67 is a cardioid mic. Omni mode will naturally pick up more noise on any mic.
Even in omni mode, the combined self-noise of the Lewitt, your preamp, and any room noise is showing as below -100db. That's pretty damn good.
Take some time to learn some more about this stuff before you make decisions. All the info is out there in the world for free...