MXLV67i Dual Diaphragm Condenser Microphone

I've been involved in music semi professionally for a number of years. During that time I've tried various mics in various studios. AKGs, Rode NT1, NTK, NT1000, Neumann. The most expensive mics are not always the "best". I'm from the school of thought that says the "best" mic is the one that sounds best when you stick it in front of what you want to record. The price tag doesn't matter, it's the sound that matters. On that basis, having read a bunch of reviews and know might voice always benefits from a bit of a high end boost in the EQ, I decided to give the MXL v67i a go.As soon as it arrived I plugged it into my little home studio setup. Side note, it doesn't come with a shock mount. I have a few lying around and found it fits safely in the Rode SM1 Shockmount. I went with the "bright" side to start. As soon as I stuck the headphones on and sung a line I was impressed. If you record vocals you'll know that you'll get a take that's ten times better when the vocalist likes the sound in their headphones. Well, without any plugins on the track, I pretty much loved the way this sounded on my voice! I recorded a vocal for a track I'd been working on and as I finished found myself exclaiming out loud, "this mic sounds amazing!". On my voice, I was seriously impressed. I usually find I'm whacking loads of plugins (JJP Vocals being a favourite) EQ, Exciters, Tube Simulators and so on, to try and get a sound I'm really happy with on my vocals. No need with MXL v67i (bright). A bit of compression from Focusrite Scarlett Compressor, some very subtle EQ and - for core sound - it's done! (Some reverb and delay to add space plus some stero widening but those are "standard" for me regardless of the actual sound). In fact, I think you could even leave the EQ off and I'd still be very, very happy with the sound.For some people and on some voices the mic will be too bright - though of course with the v67i you have the warm side to try too! I would strongly recommend giving this mic a try. Scrap that. Seriously, if you are reading this and considering buying it you should. Try it, for the right thing (particularly slightly middy male vocals) this mic is stunning! Plus, it's too mics for the price of one and looks gorgeous in its gold and green. IMO as I've already said, price is not the measure of the quality of a mic; it's how it sounds on what you want to record.

I wanted a decent studio microphone for dubbing home studio vocals and of course I looked around for value. Frankly the first one-take recording hit the mark (with minimal editing) and I put that out immediately on the Tube. It certainly took hold of my old voice and chums said was that really you. Grateful but a proper review will follow in 6 months after more takes. Now, if someone stole it, I would immediately buy another.Now 8 months recording with it and totally satisfied. Yes it is sensitive but at home you get noise with all condenser microphones and simple editing removes it. Captures the vocal with a warm and sweet old sound. Makes me think about the Unidynes in the Sun Studio Memphis.

This is a really great quality mic. Exactly what you would hope for!

Minus one star for mic pouch missing from contents...

This mic sounds good, looks great and is good value if you need a short-term solution. Unfortunately, mine developed a constant low hiss of -18db which has rendered it unusable.Be aware the 1-3 year warranty doesn't apply in the UK so once it's gone that's it.

I really loved this mic when it was working, but suddenly, the mic stopped working and it no longer picked up noise very much. all the settings in my DAW were identical to before, so I really don't understand what happened with it. even tried buying new cables and tested another interface to see if it was an issue, but no dice.if you're looking for a condenser that would last you longer, don't get this one. it's very pretty, but it's absolutely disappointing when your gear lasts for barely a year and you spend £100 quid on it.

great warmth sound

I bought one of these from Music Matter - excellent service as always.My opinion is that this MXL V67G is grossly over-rated.The self-noise is a little too high - too much pink noise ( 20db-A self-noise ) which makes it not so good for live voicing in quiet environments. You can reduce it in post if recording voice, but it's a hassle. I think I might want to use a gate with this mic if there are a lot of silence. But I don't like gates :).I think that a Rode NT1-A which has virtually no self-noise ( about 6 db-A)is better for low self noise.. I am not a fan of Rode products, but the NTG1-A is good as far as low self noise goes. It maybe is a little "thin" sounding, but it's better than the MXL if you want a low noise mic.Alternatively,for about the same money, you can get the Audio Technica AT2035. In my opinion it is a much better microphone , with a self noise of 12db-A , which is just about acceptable, and for my voice it sounds good.Would I buy another V67GS ? No. I've sent it backWould I buy another NTG1-A ? Yes.Would I buy another AT2035 ? Absolutely.Advice - Condenser mics have inherent self-noise due to the internal electronics. Always check the Self-Noise ( Equivalent Noise ) figure - if it's greater than 10 dB-A, look for something else ). You get what you pay for - there are no "bargains" , but the Rode NTG1-A isn't bad for the money and the AT2035 is also worth considering.