MXL 770 vs. Blue Yeti | THE DIFFERENCE?

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Hey friend and Welcome!

Note: If you were looking for a comparison of the MXL 990 vs. 770, but clicked on this article out of curiosity, check that one out or read on here!!

Today I’m going to be swinging at you like Donkey Kong with a sweet comparison review of the MXL 770 vs. Blue Yeti! I’m pretty excited about it too.

Both of these mics are well respected, albeit different in many ways. By the end of this article, you will have a clear understanding of which one may suit your needs best!

So sit back, relax, and enjoy my ramblings…

You’ve come to the right place!

What will I bring you in this review?

of each headphone

1. Price/Specifications
2. Summary
3. Pros/Cons
4. Who this mic benefits?
5. What you will need?
6. Consensus/Conclusion
7. USB OR XLR? Which to choose?
8. Similarities and Differences
9. Final Word

Now without further ado, let’s get rolling!!

MXL 770

Price: Check Amazon! | Check eBay! | Check zZOUNDS!

Specifications

• Type: Condenser pressure gradient mic with large 22 mm. diaphragm
• Frequency Range: 30Hz-20kHz
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid. What is a cardioid capsule?
• Sensitivity: 10mV/Pa
• Impedance: 200 Ohms
• S/N Ratio: 80dB (Ref. 1Pa A-weighted)
• Equivalent Noise Level: 18dB (A-weighted IEC 268-4)
• Maximum SPL for 0.5% THD: 134dB. What is SPL?
• High Pass Filter: 6dB/octave, 150HZ
• Attenuator Switch: 0/-10dB
• Power Requirements: Phantom Power 48V +/-4V
• Size: 60mm x 154mm
• Weight: 420g
• Metal Finish: Black/Gold

Summary

The MXL 770 is a great entry-level mic. Its strong suits include being really good for recording rap vocals (it has a natural low-end sound), a crisp high end, and it’s also very versatile! It can handle a variety of applications from rapping, to pod-casting, to recording instrumentation as well as female vocals.

Check out the female vocal test!

Pros

• Picks up a wide range of frequencies.
• Sturdy, good build quality.
• Versatile.
• Great for rap vocals (has that natural low-end sound).
• Good for people with high voices.
• Crisp and clear, picks up the highs well.

Cons

• The shock mount that comes with it isn’t amazing.
• It is a bit bright.
• Has some feedback issues at times.
•  It’s very “raw” sounding.

Who benefits from this mic?

• Rappers
• Podcasters
• Musicians
• Vocalists
• Female vocals

What you will need?

For this mic, you will need:

1. 48v phantom power via an audio interface. What does an audio interface do?
2. Pop Filter
3. XLR cable(s).
4. Mic Stand

Consensus/Conclusion

It’s a very versatile mic at a great value. It does particularly well with rap and female vocals. It’s crisp and clear and picks up a wide range of frequencies. It is sort of a best of both worlds scenario. Be aware that it can sound a bit bright and raw. Shock-mount needs to be upgraded.

Check out the Rap demo!

Onto..

Blue Microphones Yeti

Price: Check Amazon! | Check Sweetwater! | Check eBay!

Specifications

• Microphone Type: Condenser. Condenser mic vs. Dynamic mic.
• Polar Pattern: Cardioid or Omni-directional.
• Frequency Response: 40Hz – 18kHz
• Color: Silver, White or Black
• Connector: USB.
• Weight: 460 g
• Included Accessories: USB Cable, Stand.

Summary

This is a really popular mic and for good reason. Standing about a foot tall on your desk, it’s got a great sound, is really solid, reliable, and most importantly it’s convenient. I know many of you don’t really want to bother with the whole XLR setup. You just want to be able to plug and play. If that sounds like you, then this may be a great option…

Pros

• The sound quality is exceptional
• Solid build (made of metal) and a great mic stand that comes with it.
• Convenient, just plug and play.
• Recognized by all windows platforms.
• Has a mute button with simple knobs and design.
• Good USB cable provided.
• Versatile. You can record almost anything in any type of circumstance!
• Headphone jack for live zero-latency monitoring. What is latency?

Cons

• No good place to connect a pop filter. You may have to Jerry rig something, or just use the windscreen (mentioned below).
  
• Needs to be plugged directly into a USB port on your laptop/computer. Some say it doesn’t do well plugged into a separate USB hub.
• The mic does not actually have a switch to turn it off.
• Extremely sensitive and picks up everything (this can be a good and bad thing). Try some Acoustic Sound Treatment!
  

Who benefits from this mic?

• people who do video conferencing
• pod-casters, people who need to do voice over
• people who want to Skype
• people who need to record for videos or animations

What you will need?

Really the only thing you need is the windscreen!

Check out the video review!

Consensus/Conclusion

So many people rave about its sound quality, build, convenience, and versatility. Complaints include size (a bit large), and you can’t include a standard pop filter unless you Jerry rig it. People were also saying it’s hyper-sensitive, but recording in the right environment greatly helps.

This is one of the best options you can go with if you’re looking to record with Skype, doing any pod-casting, you-tube videos, video conferencing, and anything similar. I wouldn’t recommend it much for vocals, although it can be done. If you’re serious about that, I would advise using the XLR setup, which leads me right into the question…

USB or XLR? Which to Choose?

When starting out, it may be tempting to go with the USB option. I can definitely see why. It’s convenient, there are no extra necessities you have to worry about, and there are some pretty great models out there that deliver a more than adequate sound! If you’re doing voice-over-type stuff, USB is a great option.

The downside is cost. You’re in essence sacrificing price for convenience. The trade-off when you buy an XLR mic is that yeah, it’s a lot more affordable, but you’ll have to spend that extra dough on essentials like an audio interface, XLR cables, etc. What is XLR?

If you’re recording vocals and/or instruments, an XLR mic and a good audio interface is the way to go, especially if you’re serious about it. I own the Scarlett 2i2 (mentioned above) and it’s a beast of a unit, hands down. It’s also nice to be able to upgrade your mic further down the road!

• Check out the importance of Your audio interface!
• The difference between a USB microphone and an XLR microphone?

Similarities & Differences

Similarities

• Both mics are pretty versatile. I have read reviews claiming the Blue Yeti does well with vocals and instruments, while others claim that you shouldn’t buy it for solely that purpose.
• Both mics are very solid, durable, and reliable.

Differences

• The MXL 770 is an XLR condenser mic, while the Blue Yeti is a USB condenser. XLR runs off of 48v phantom power. USB plugs right into your laptop or desktop.
• Generally speaking, XLR mics will be lower in cost due to the fact that you can’t just buy one and immediately use it. Other accessories like XLR cables, audio interfaces, and the like must come into play.
• The Blue Yeti uses a custom windscreen that is meant to act as a pop filter of sorts. The 770 by contrast can be modified with a traditional pop filter. I have read people saying that they Jerry rigged a pop filter for the Yeti. It’s up to you which method you choose though!
• The 770 needs 48v phantom power to operate, the Yeti is simply plug and play USB.
• The 770 is very versatile but does its best recording vocals of all kinds. By contrast, the Blue Yeti is at its best, recording things such as pod-casts, you-tube videos, conference calls, Skype, video animation sound/voice-overs, etc.
• The Blue Yeti comes equipped with a stand that apparently leaves a big footprint on your desk area. It’s about a foot tall. The 770 by contrast uses your standard mic stand outfit.

Final Word

It really comes down to application when deciding which of these best suits your needs.

If you need a mic more suited to vocals (female in particular), rap vocals, and instrument recording, the 770 is the way to go. Just be aware that some extra accessories are required.

CLICK HERE TO READ THE MXL 770 REVIEWS ON AMAZON!!

The Blue Yeti does amazing with voice-over and pod-casting type stuff, so if you will be using it primarily just to speak, it is the best option here. It’s the all-in-one solution power-packed with everything you need to get started recording. To me and many others, it’s the best USB microphone on the market. If you’re looking for some more in-depth information about it, check out my:

BLUE MICROPHONES YETI REVIEW!!

Well, guys, I hope you now have a better understanding of the MXL 770 vs. Blue Yeti, and are more aware of each of these mic’s capabilities and most practical uses.

Which mic suits your needs?

Let me know down below! If you have any further questions, I would be happy to answer them as well. You can always contact me as well!

All the best and God Bless,

-Stu

[Xtr@Ba$eHitZ]

Be sure to check out my Reviews and Resources page for more helpful and informative articles!

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