The Bottom Line
The gap in quality between low and high priced microphones keeps getting smaller, thanks especially to low-cost, high-quality manufacturing facilities in China. While the reputation of Chinese-made, low-cost microphones has been less than stellar in recent years, the new exports are setting the bar very high for import mics!
Marshall Electronics' MXL V67G is a prime example: surprisingly high-quality sound, remarkable value, and high aesthetic value combine to make a nearly ideal cheap microphone.
Marshall Electronics' MXL V67G is a prime example: surprisingly high-quality sound, remarkable value, and high aesthetic value combine to make a nearly ideal cheap microphone.
Pros
- Wide, Flat Frequency Response
- Superb Vocal & Acoustic Instrument Reproduction
- Incredible Value
Cons
- Included Accessories of Low Quality
- Matched Pairs Not Available
Description
- High-quality large diaphragm condenser microphone; priced at $99.
- 1" gold-sputtered diaphragm, fixed cardioid pattern.
- 30hz to 20kHz frequency response.
- 130db maximum SPL.
- Included accessories: plastic mount, carry case; shock mount available separately.
Guide Review - Marshall MXL V67G Large Diaphragm Condenser Microphone
Picking out a microphone when working in my favorite tracking room is easy: I usually go for the Neumann TLM103 or U89. Unfortunately, I don't always have the luxury of using the highest-quality stuff, especially if I'm working with an artist with a smaller budget, using my personal tracking room. I've used my share of dirt-cheap microphones, and usually they've disappointed me in one way or another -- from "it's passable" to "I wouldn't use this microphone to prop open the door" and everything in between.The MXL V67G is a bargain-priced microphone -- you'll find it most outlets for $99, sometimes less. For a home recording studio looking for a really good quality vocal microphone, this is the best $99 you'll spend. A warm yet detailed, robust, natural sound that's reminiscent of mics many times the price. Visually, it's stunning, too -- although I'm sure I'm not the only one who sees the (unintentional, I'm sure, wink wink) uncanny resemblance to the legendary (and expensive) AKG C-12.
With a smooth, wide frequency response from 30hz to 20kHz, vocals stand out (especially alto/tenor male voices and all female voices). There's a little boxiness in the low-mids, but some EQ (and high-quality compression) seems to negate this well. In my testing, I paired this microphone with a Grace Design preamp, but any high-quality preamp with little to no mid-low range coloring should work best.
On acoustic guitar, the V67G sounded great (especially with a little subtractive low-end EQ). It also fared equally well as a drum room mic. A matched pair isn't available for purchase, but should be; I'd easily use this for live recording and drum overhead micing as well as stereo acoustic guitar.
At $99, the V67G is a phenomenal value. It even comes in a stereo version, perfect for most applications -- but remember, one mic can't do everything!
