Quick Overview
FEATURES
SOUND QUALITY
PRICE
Pros
Cons
If you are looking to become the next music star or you simply want to have some fun and record your own podcasts, there is one thing you need, and that is a high-quality microphone. While dynamic microphones are quite popular, this is not the type of mic that you should be looking for if you are interested in studio recording.
For professional use, only a condenser microphone is recommended as it has good transient response, a wide frequency range, and is considered to be a compact device.
The MXL 770 Cardioid Condenser Microphone is one of the bestsellers on Amazon for a good reason. This MXL 770 Review will tell you all you need to know.
MXL Mics 770 Cardioid Condenser
Manufactured by a well-known company, it is one of the best condenser microphones affordable to almost anyone. With a patented design, it is one of the better-looking mics on the market, and with a compact shock mount, it will look great in your studio. And naturally provide you with high quality sound.
The MXL 770 cardioid condenser microphone is multipurpose and can be effectively used for recording guitar, percussion, piano, and vocals. It is well-balanced with a low-frequency response allowing for a warm, crunch-free sound. It is a great microphone that comes at a reasonable price.
Who is this product for?
It would be safe to say that anyone interested in recording high quality music, podcasts, gameplay, or skits should get one. It is affordable and adequate for studio use.
While it's design may look complex, the mic itself is pretty easy to use, so the MXL 770 is good for beginners and people who are more experienced with studio recording.
On the other hand, as it is not expensive, you can buy this microphone for personal use and have some fun in your home studio too.
What’s included?
While this microphone is not on the high-end side, you can still expect good value out of this offer.
Apart from the MXL 770 cardioid condenser microphone, you will get a rugged case that is perfect for on-the-go storage, as well as an MXL 70 shock mount which is durable and adjustable according to your needs.
The only thing missing is a connecting cable, but that doesn’t present a huge issue as the mic itself is internally wired with a Mogami cable.
Overview of features
Let's dive into the spec's on this MXL 770 review... Small and compact, you wouldn’t expect much power out of this microphone – still, it will surprise you as this model has one of the best bass performances on the whole market.
You are looking at a small-diaphragm (6 micron) pressure gradient condenser microphone that features a FET preamp which allows a powerful output. The frequency covers a wide range from 30Hz to 20kHz, which is almost the same as the high-end microphones.
The polar pattern is cardioid, and it has a black metal finish that looks elegant in any studio setting. It is quite light and at 1 lb., this microphone is perfect for things such as upside down hanging as you will not need a lot of counterweights.
The MXL 770 offers great sensitivity at 15mv/Pa and with an impedance of 150 ohms, it is quite powerful and provides perfect bass adequate for instrumental and vocal recording. It has a max SPL of 137 dB, while the equivalent noise sits at 20 dB.
The high pass filter is 6 db/octave @ 150Hz.
You can connect it to an audio interface such as a phantom power mixing console. Our recommendation is to go for Xenyx 302 USB – it is cheap and comes with 48V phantom power, which is the adequate output power for the MXL 770. Without a lot of settings and just the necessary basic functions, it is excellent for anyone who is learning the entertainment industry.
The major flaw of this product is that background noise isolation is not 100%. Along with that, the shock mount is not as strong as it could be. Still, it is a great quality product for the price you are paying, and a good option for both home and studio use.
How to use it
Using an MXL 770 is quite simple. The best way to connect it to your PC is investing in a mixing console, connecting your microphone to it, and connecting the mixer to a sound card then to your laptop. It has only a few settings so there is nothing confusing about adjusting the right microphone sensitivity and volume for your recording session.
Alternatives
MXL V67G Large Capsule Condenser Microphone
What review wouldn't be complete without mentioning another microphone option. Here's one worth considering without sacrificing quality.
If what you are looking for is a mellow and warm sound without a lot of bass, the V67G is a great option for you. It is an old-school mic made the modern way, covering a great frequency range (the same as the 770) and with a somewhat higher impedance of 200 ohms.
On top of all that, it is cheap and affordable for anyone interested in recording high-quality sound.
Conclusion
We always suggest that a good microphone is a must if you want to make high-quality recordings. Luckily, the market is big and finding one is not a problem. The MXL 770 is an affordable product that has a great frequency response and range, and can last you for many years with proper use and care.
We hope this MXL 770 review has helped shed some light on your microphone buying decision. Be sure to check our our main pick from this page to learn more.